Michael Torres, spokesman for the PepsiCo owned brand, said that the new multi-serve 89oz (2.6 litre) flip-top clear container – pictured, which was ‘introduced’ to the brand’s Facebook fans on March 13, and replaced an opaque flip-top HDPE container launched in 2008 – was a response to public demand.
“Clear packaging is favoured by our consumers, they like the ability to see the juice in the bottle. The Tropicana Pure Premium 89oz container is made from a PET resin that is fully compatible with PET recycling infrastructure and end-use applications such as bottles, sheet, fiber and strapping,” Torres said.
Unique recycling recognition?
The US Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) recognised this compatibility, and the container was the “only handleware container, to my knowledge, produced from a resin that has this APR recognition,” Torres added.
The modified PET resin in question is supplier Indorama’s Polyclear EBM PET 5505, which is a semi-crystalline co-polyester with a melt temperature (237C), similar to standard Injection stretch blow moulded (ISBM) PET resin.
Tropicana worked hard to identify and commercialise a PET resin that was compatible with recycling, Torres said. “And while we were not first in the market with clear handleware, we were first with a clear recyclable handleware.”
‘Major step forward’
Asked about other advantages over HDPE aside from juice visibility, Torres said that the flip-container provided improved oxygen barrier properties relative to HDPE, and better protection to the juice, which since last November has been 100% sourced from Florida oranges.
“The introduction of a new PET resin grade into a commercial container is a major step forward and unlike anything available currently in the juice aisle,” Torres said.
But given that the jugs didn’t appear to stack, was this creating problems for Tropicana in regard to managing the cartons within its supply chain?
Torres said: “No – the new Tropicana Pure Premium 89oz large size clear container is a seamless integration throughout our supply chain.”