Amcor and Husky using renewable materials for bottles

Amcor PET Packaging is working with Husky to develop a European market for compostable PLA bottles for applications such as still mineral water, vegetable oils and dairy products.

Amcor PET Packaging Europe’s marketing communications manager Frans van Dooren said: “The market for PLA bottles is attracting a lot of attention in Europe and consumers are starting to show an interest in packaging made from renewable resources.” Husky, a strategic partner in the development, demonstrated production of Natureworks PLA preforms on a HyPet 90 moulding system on its stand at last week’s Drinktec exhibition in Munich.

Van Dooren told PRW.com that Amcor is at an advanced stage of development with a PLA bottle project for at least one major European customer. However, he said that pricing remains an issue. “PLA price is a bit of a show stopper today but this is temporary,” van Dooren said. He believes that as volumes build the price gap will close, while PLA users will also gain from a more stable pricing structure.