Amcor Rigid Packaging has earned Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) 2023 Re | focus Leadership in Sustainability Innovation Award for its outstanding innovations in plastics manufacturing that further environmental advantages in design, material, and end-of-life management. ARP received the honor after earning the best overall score for its innovations.
“This award further demonstrates ARP’s stewardship and commitment to developing cutting-edge innovations for sustainable plastic manufacturing that advances the circular economy,“ said Terry Patcheak, vice president R&D, sustainability and program management at ARP. “Our innovations are all examples of how we are providing our customers with sustainable plastic packaging solutions, and constantly innovating and improving to incorporate the latest advancements in technology and sustainability into our packaging.”
Amcor Rigid Packaging submitted three innovations:
Quantum™ Premium Lightweight Finish Technology is a two-step lightweighting technology that eliminates more than 50% of unnecessary material and weight in the finish of a PET bottle, demonstrating design that reduces manufacturing costs and GHG emissions, resulting in energy savings and lower carbon emissions compared to bottles with a traditional finish.
PowerPost™ Lightweighting Technology is the most advanced lightweighting technology for hot-fill beverages. Using vacuum absorbing technology, PowerPostTM delivers a fully recyclable bottle up to one-third lighter, with 30% energy reduction and 30% carbon savings over most 20 oz (600 ml) bottles available today. It can be made with up to 100% recycled material and provides a superior consumer experience – no more spills from overflow when beverages are first opened.
The PepsiCo 2.5L PET Returnable, Reusable, and Refillable Bottle is a 100% recyclable and refillable 2.5L PET bottle created for the LATAM region in partnership with GEEP, PepsiCo’s exclusive bottler in Mexico. Based on ARP’s lab testing and when compared to one-way or single use bottles, the PET bottles can be refilled and reused up to 25 times before being recycled.
PET bottles are lightweight, shatterproof, reclosable, resealable, reusable, and infinitely recyclable, using advanced recycling. In addition, independent studies show that PET bottles have significant environmental advantages when compared to glass bottles and aluminum cans. Advantages include producing half the greenhouse gas emissions compared to an aluminum can and one-third the emissions of a glass bottle over their respective life cycles. Additionally, PET bottles have the lowest emissions due to their lightweight properties and the low amount of energy required for production. They also create less solid waste, use less water during production and generate fewer emissions that contribute to the formation of acid rain and smog.
https://www.amcor.com/media/news/plastics-leadership-in-sustainability-innovation-award