Plastics closures producer Bericap (Budenheim / Germany; www.bericap.com) has developed several new closures in line with the current trend for improving packaging quality and reducing costs. A lightweight 2K home and office delivery (HOD)closure has been developed for the necks of containers holding up to 5 gal (23l). The lighter version uses about 30% less resin than the previous type, according to Bericap.

In addition, and following the move by HOD bottlers in Europe, North America and Asia to move away from blow-moulded containers to injection-moulded PET packaging, Bericap has developed a liner-less one-piece closure that is fitted with a specific seal. The “Valvelock Trumpet” has been tested on the new PET necks, which have only small diameter tolerances, and have proven to be leak tight, the company said. Both these two new closure types are available with a centre shutter as well as a low-cost pierced centre membrane.

Finally, and in cooperation with Italian PET packaging specialist Sipa (Vittorio Veneto; www.sipasolutions.com), Bericap has created an ultra-light neck/closure solution for one-way PET containers. The “Valvelock SuperShort” can give weight savings in excess of 18% on the neck and 40% on the closure.