Global plastic packaging manufacturer Amcor Rigid Plastics (Abbotsford / Australia; www.amcor.com) has unveiled its latest on-site bottle manufacturing plant at the PepsiCo (Purchase, New York / USA; www.pepsico.com) production facility in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania / USA. The plant’s in-line operation is planned to produce 650m hot-fillable PET bottles annually for packaging of PepsiCo’s “Gatorade” carbonated soft drink.

“We’re excited about establishing this on-site operation because it expands our relationship with PepsiCo and gives us an opportunity to better serve a key strategic customer,” commented Larry Weber, vice president and general manager of Amcor Rigid Plastics’ North American Beverage group. Previously, the Mountain Top facility had purchased hot-fill PET containers from merchant suppliers.

Mountain Top is the eighth hot-fill facility Amcor has established at beverage filling plants in the US. It received strong backing and financial support from state and local agencies, including USD 100,000 (EUR 79,000) in grants for site development and employee training. According to Weber, on-site bottle manufacturing is a highly efficient and sustainable business model for beverage producers. In particular, it eliminates expenses associated with shipping, including unnecessary handling, secondary handling and freight costs.