Alcoa CSI is one of the world's leading closure systems suppliers to the beverage industry and its new service is designed to help its customers get the most out of their closures.
The company's research shows that filled PET soft drink bottles can be subjected to temperature cycling in the filling/distribution channel - from 4 degrees Centigrade in refrigerated vending to over 60 degrees Centigrade in shipping and storage. These wide-ranging temperatures can cause shrinkage of the heat-sensitive PET material, which can cause gaps to develop between the finish and the closure, resulting in loss of CO2 and product freshness.
With this in mind, the company launched its Double-Lok XT and Extra-Lok XT closures, designed to ensure a consistent closure no matter what the temperature conditions.
"The XT liner design incorporates an inner and outer seal, providing maximum protection against gaps. Under extreme temperature conditions, this dual seal assures that the product remains fresh until the consumer opens the bottle," said John Grainda, marketing manager for Alcoa CSI's carbonated soft drink market.
.The new X-Tech on-site training programme will provide CSD bottlers with a thorough understanding of how to convert the bottling line to Alcoa CSI's XT closures. Once trained, bottlers can convert their operation to XT closures seasonally, or when necessary, resulting in improved package performance, customer and consumer satisfaction, according to the firm.
"Alcoa CSI developed X-Tech to demonstrate to bottlers that packaging can be adapted to environmental conditions such as temperature cycling. Alcoa XT closures are the solution to bottlers where these conditions exist particularly in vending and distribution. With XT closures, bottlers gain the flexibility to seasonally adjust packaging to the environment," said Gainda.