A new type of technology, BESTPET (Barrier Enhanced Silica Treated PET) for exterior coating of PET bottles to prevent carbonation loss and CO₂ pickup has been developed in a long-term cooperation project between the University of Essen (Germany), beverage and packaging machinery manufacturer Krones AG (D-93068 Neutraubling) and Leybold Systems GmbH (Wilhelm-Rohn-Str. 25, D-63450 Hanau). The process has been adapted for use with high performance machinery.

The patented technology operates on the basis of a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process using silicon oxide (SiOx) under high vacuum plasma conditions. Depending on the processing, barrier properties can be improved at least by a factor of two, guaranteeing a shelf life of six months without flavour impairment, says Krones. The company believes the new technology will provide “enormous growth possibilities” both for itself and for breweries large and small.

The first commercial machine will be installed at a Coca-Cola bottling plant in early 2000 and the technology will be made available to the entire beverage industry. By 2003 Krones predicts that 300bn bottles of beer will be produced annually. If only 5-10% were PET, this would mean a 2% per year increase in demand for the polymer.

• Plasteurope.com Service: Press information on BESTPET with illustration: PIE-No. 44259 – Information “Bier in PET”, with a survey of market tests: PIE-No. 44260. All documents in German.