Appealing and trendy containers
Packaging is a strategic element for the commercial success of any product, as it can impact both profitability and corporate sustainability policies.
In primary packaging solutions, sustainability is expressed through creativity, with the design of visually appealing containers that capture consumers’ attention, and through functionality, with the development of lightweight, rPET, and label-free bottles.
Label-free bottles are an increasingly popular trend among food and beverage manufacturers. For example, in Portugal, Carvalhelhos, a company that has always prioritized sustainability and environmental responsibility, produces new PET and rPET containers without plastic labels, thanks to the EBS 8 KL ERGON stretch-blow moulder by SMI.
SMI solution for Carvalhelhos
Carvalhelhos blow moulder not only produces traditional PET and rPET bottles that require label application, but it is also equipped with specialized moulds designed by SMIMEC for the stretch-blow moulding of 0.33 L, 0.5 L, and 1.5 L flat-bottom rPET bottles without paper or plastic labels.
This eco-friendly solution eliminates the need for glue and additional paper or plastic materials, simplifying the recycling process and ensuring higher purity in recycled PET. The area dedicated to the label has been removed, eliminating the ribs typically found in traditional bottles.
Therefore, an innovative combination of embossed and debossed engravings on the bottle body provides additional space for the brand logo and essential product information, which would traditionally appear on a label.
This approach also allows for the inclusion of information in braille. Beyond its environmental benefits, this solution aligns with Carvalhelhos’ aesthetic and branding needs, helping the new bottle stand out on store shelves and attract consumer attention.
Advantages for the environment and the consumer:
• eco-friendly solution, as the PET bottle is 100% recyclable
• better compliance with environmental regulations regarding recycling
• easier recycling process, since there is no label to remove.
Even when made from recyclable materials, labels on traditional bottles must be separated from the container during recycling.
• no need for glue in label application.
• reduced packaging waste, resulting in less material to recycle.
Advantages for the bottler:
• reduced costs for raw material purchases (labels and glue).
• lower storage costs for raw materials.
• simplified and optimized production process, as a labelling machine is no longer required.
• easier and more efficient PET recycling, since there is no need to separate the label from the container.
Giving shape to ideas
The quality of the moulds installed on the rotary stretch-blow moulders, necessary for the production of the containers, and the efficiency in the stretch-blow moulding process are two fundamental elements to obtain quality bottles that attract the attention of consumers.
SMI, through its subsidiary SMIMEC, takes care of the entire production phase of the moulds installed on stretch-blow moulding machines. To meet the needs of customers who wish to produce both traditional bottles intended for label application and bottles without labels, SMIMEC manufactures special couplings to be inserted in the moulds mounted on SMI stretch-blow moulders.
Size changeover operations to switch from one type of bottle to another are extremely simple and fast as it is sufficient to replace the plug section in the mould.
Although the design change may seem simple, in reality such an operation represents a major change from a marketing point of view, as it promotes circular economy and helps to evolve the way brands communicate with their customers and differentiate themselves on shop shelves.
Innovating to anticipate the future
For 25 years, SMIMEC’s activity has been characterized by competence, professionalism, passion and creativity. Innovation is a key factor for constant improvement and SMIMEC seizes all the opportunities offered by changes thanks to a pro-active approach to market demands.
In order to carry out countless processes on behalf of third parties and offer a wide range of high quality, precision components in compliance with current regulations, the SMI Group’s mechanical workshop has a state-of-the-art machine park, continuously renewed, which meets the needs of the most demanding customer.
