Hispanic food specialist Goya Foods (Secaucus, New Jersey / USA; www.goya.com) has shifted from glass to plastics in a major packaging redesign for its range of marinades, converting 355ml and 725ml units to PET bottles from the rigid plastics division of packaging giant Amcor Rigid Plastics (Abbotsford / Australia; www.amcor.com).

Amcor’s “LatinAmerica” custom-designed hot-fill containers feature a shrink wrap label and have been designed to promote a clean look that is both modern and elegant, the family-owned company said. Joseph Perez, senior vice president of Goya Foods, adds: “In the end, lightweight PET not only delivers a major savings in terms of freight cost, but also gives us the glass-like appearance and the shelf appeal to maintain our brand image.”

Amcor said that the bottles are the first to feature its “Origami” hot-fill technology incorporating six flat panels to counteract the vacuum that occurs in hot-filled containers. The vacuum panels are designed to collapse, compensating for shrinkage during cooling to maintain structural strength and integrity. The result is an elegant profile that enhances gripping and consumer handling, the company said.

Goya Foods also plans to replace glass with PET in an existing 12oz juice beverage line. The conversion to hot-fill PET is expected by the summer, Perez said.