Rigid container manufacturer Nampak Plastics Europe (Newport Pagnell / UK; www.eu.nampak.com) has received positive feedback to its new lightweighted HDPE milk bottle from a series of trials undertaken by its major customers. The research findings to the 4-pint “Infini” bottle confirm the reaction from Nampak’s initial pre-launch consumer test panels. All Nampak milk bottles, currently totalling some 2 bn annually, will progressively move to the Infini design, with the first bottles being introduced commercially later this year.

Infini bottles (www.infinibottle.com) offer an average 15% weight-saving across the size range, with some sizes providing savings up to 21%, while still meeting current performance specifications, Nampak claims. In addition, the new, patented design is said to be operational on existing customer product lines with only limited modification. Nampak says the reduction in bottle weight has been achieved by a design that does not force the polymer as far into each of the bottle corners as with conventional bottles.

Commenting on the successful consumer trials, Eric Collins, managing director Nampak Plastics Europe, said the outcome more than justified the investment, which amounts to about GBP 9m (EUR 10.3m) for the full bottle range, as well as GBP 1m for the design. Nampak is already in discussion regarding licensing deals with a number of potential customers outside the dairy sector, both in the UK and overseas. Possible outlets include fabric conditioners and motor oils.

Initially Infini bottles will contain 10% rHDPE, with a target of up to 50% recycled material by 2020. The bottles themselves can be recycled in the conventional manner. Infini will be available in the full range of metric and imperial sizes, ranging from 1 pint to 6 pint, 500ml to 3 litres, with weight savings of between 11–21%, dependent on bottle size. The associated reduction in materials will result in savings of about 10,000 t/y of polymer. It will also contribute to the milk industry meeting its targets under the UK’s Milk Roadmap, a commitment to achieving recycling and environmental footprint goals – see Plasteurope.com of 31.05.2010.