Cool news from Austria
that features, for the first time, a reusable handle and a novel
hygienic cap.
This month sees the launch of a new 5-gallon water cooler bottle that features, for the first time, a reusable handle and a novel hygienic cap.
Developed by Austrian-based company CapSnap Europe, the product promises to be safer and more environmentally sound.
Indeed, the firm, which introduced the product at the 2003 EBWA Convention and Trade Fair in Barcelona in March, believes that the bottle is a completely new concept for portable five-gallon bottles.
The external handle is clipped onto the outside of the polycarbonate bottle, which uses injection-stretch blow moulding technology.
The design was developed following extensive washing tests that CapSnap claims will ensure optimum cleaning conditions and the best hygiene.
In addition, the new hygienic sealed cap is made of only one kind of plastic and is therefore easy to recycle. There is no need for sealing foam, and the cap can be sold to recycling companies after use.
The launch of the five-gallon product follows CapSnap's recent acquisition of French five-gallon bottle manufacturer Semopacs' European activities. The newly acquired plant primarily supplies customers in southern Europe.
"Now we are the number one packaging company in Europe for the five-gallon industry," said Michael Reiser, managing director of CapSnap Europe.
CapSnap was founded in 1999 as a joint venture between the American packaging producer Portola Packaging and the Austrian plastics manufacturer Greiner packaging.
Since the takeover, production capacity has climbed to four million bottles a year and sales in 2002 exceeded €13 million.
