USA: Amcor unveils PET jar with metal closure

Amcor, a specialist in rigid plastic packaging for the food, beverage, spirits, home/personal care, and healthcare industries, has developed A-PEX63TM, a new system which introduces the use of metal lug closures to blow-and-trim 24oz hot-fill plastic jars.

The “breakthrough technology”, which is claimed to be a first for the food packaging industry, was said to be achieved through the use of advanced design and engineering techniques.

Bunlim Ly, Amcor’s senior marketing manager, commented: “This is a major development which firmly positions PET hot-fill containers in the food packaging industry. […] We’ve filled an important need for consumers and brand owners who seek the benefits of PET containers with metal lug closures, delivering the same quality and freshness associated with glass along with significant performance, manufacturing, and sustainability benefits”.

For the first time, consumers who are familiar with the look and quality feel of a glass jar with a metal lug closure can now enjoy the same quality and reassurance of the fresh “pop” of a metal lug closure on a lightweight, shatter-proof PET jar, the company said.

The 24oz PET containers are being made available to food manufacturers throughout the US and are being recommended for jams, jellies, salsas, apple sauce, pesto sauce and similar food applications.

Source: Amcor