In a move that follows shortly after establishing a further presence for supplying blow moulded bottles to the UK dairy industry (see 20, 2001), Elopak Plastic Systems (EPS, PO Box 124, N-3431 Spikkestad; www.elopak.com) has opened a PET blow moulding plant on the factory site of soft drinks manufacturer, T Kearns (32-34 Bradford Lane, Laisterdyke, Bradford BD3 8LS). The GBP 1.1m facility, termed a hole-through-the-wall business, will supply PET bottles for non-carbonated fruit juices, although it does also have the capability to mould in HDPE.

Based in Bradford, T Kearns is a new business established as a plastics beverage filling company by Tim Kearns, a director of Lancashire Dairies, where Elopak has a hole-through-the-wall agreement to supply blow moulded HDPE bottles. The Kearns business is based at the factory of Bradford Model Dairies, which is owned by Lancashire Dairies.

Norwegian carton and pouch maker Elopak has made no secret of its ambitions to become one of the top packaging suppliers to the UK dairy market, but this is its first venture into the non-carbonated beverage market. Further investments are planned over the next 6-9 months.