Packaging closures manufacturer Zeller Plastik UK (Sprowston, Norwich / UK; www.zellerplastik.com) has invested more than GBP 2m (EUR 2.5m) in two automated lines for production of shower gel dispensing closures. The investment stems from a four-fold increase in demand from Sara Lee (www.saralee.com), which is relaunching its “Duschdas”, “Radox”, “Monsavon” and “Badedas” brands in Europe. The production lines are based on two high-speed injection moulding machines from Ferromatik Milacron (Malterdingen / Germany; www.ferromatik.com) fitted with stack moulds. Automated assembly of the “ZelValve” closure includes the incorporation of a sub-assembly made by a patented Zeller technique of cold crimping a retaining ring over a silicone valve.

The ZelValve closure has been used on Radox packs for several years, but the other brands will be using the sail-shaped, headstand valve packs for the first time. The non-drip closures are lighter than the original version and have been modified for improved capping performance on Sara Lee’s high-speed filling lines. They are being produced in four colours. Zeller Plastik is part of Global Closure Systems (Paris / France; www.gcs.com), which has 26 manufacturing sites in Europe, Asia and the Americas.