Mini closures target fizzy and malt beverages
and malt beverage processors using polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
packaging.
Alcoa Closure Systems International said its 28 mm Xtra-Lok mini and 28 mm MB-Lok mini closures can be used on PET package sizes of up to 2.5 liters. "The products provide beverage customers the capability and advantage of using one closure design for all of their PET bottle requirements," Alcoa stated. "In addition to reduced inventory, the new closures provide significant packaging cost savings and environmental benefits." The Xtra-Lok mini closure can be adapeted for use on 1873 or 1881 short height bottle finishes. The closure is designed for cold-filled malt beverages and features an in-shell molded scavenger liner to help preserve product freshness and shelf life. Alcoa claims the liner allows the new closures to withstand tough packaging conditions, increasing product safety and carbonation retention. Using the short height 1873 plastic closure only (PCO) bottle finish with the Xtra-Lok mini closure, beverage producers can cut up to 1.8 grams out of their packaging weight compared to the 1810 PCO bottle finish with a standard height closure, the company claimed. "The closure also appeals to consumers with a classic, easy open, low-profile design," the company claimed. The two closures are the latest in Alcoa's mini range. The mini range can be used on bottling lines with speeds of up to 900 bottles per minute, the company claimed. "Quality, application and production efficiency have been equal to or exceeded the performance parameters prior to conversion from standard size closures," the company claimed. The closure range can be integrated into existing bottling lines using Alcoa's quick-change capper conversion kit. The mini range has been used by soft drink bottlers in Mexico and South America. Now the company is making them available worldwide. "Our customers are enjoying significant system cost savings by converting to Alcoa mini closures, and these same closures are now commercially available for use across the globe," the company stated. "Mini closures are relevant to our customers because they not only contribute so much to the bottom line but also serve as an important part of our customer's corporate sustainability initiatives."
