DEEPGRIP® bottles further widen PET's potential

APPE, the packaging division of LSB and Europe’s leading convertor and manufacturer of PET preforms and bottles, is introducing a new technology that will allow the manufacture of large size PET containers with a deep recess for easy handling, providing a radical alternative to traditional extrusion blow moulded HDPE bottles with integrated handles.

Developed in exclusive partnership with Sidel, the new DeepGrip® bottles can be produced in sizes up to 7 litres with a deep recess each side, creating an effective integral handle. End markets include food, dairy, juice, edible oils, motor oils and home and personal care.

APPE says the technology combines enhanced convenience with the many established benefits of PET. In terms of branding and aesthetics, for example, the clarity of the PET enables products to be fully visible while PET’s renowned design flexibility will enable the production of bespoke, eye-catching designs for maximum on-shelf impact.

Equally important, the new bottles offer significant sustainability benefits. They offer significant light-weight savings over equivalent HDPE bottles and also offer a lighter weight alternative to clip-on handles or boxed grips. PET containers are also fully recyclable and the DeepGrip® solution ensures a single-material bottle for the recycling stream.

A variety of blow-moulded neck finishes is available, providing a re-sealable, leak-free closing mechanism.

“DeepGrip® is another significant development of PET in to new applications, and underlines APPE’s desire to lead developments in this field” comments Mike Hanratty, Business Development Director of LSB/APPE.

“The DeepGrip® technology gives the bottles additional convenience and user-friendliness while manufacturers can benefit from PET’s flexibility in creating distinctive designs for brand differentiation as well as its strong environmental record.”