PEN polymers lure beverage marketers (sidebar)

Following a March 20 preliminary meeting attended by 36 companies from around the world, the TNO Nutrition and Food Research Institute of Zeist, the Netherlands, has launched a multi-client study titled "Synthetic Containers for Beer." The 11 different 500-mL container concepts to be tested include both one-way and refillable bottles. Crowns and caps will be tested, too. Materials range from multilayer PET to PEN homopolymer to blends of PET and PEN. Containers will be tested for physical, chemical and mechanical properties. Sensory characteristics of both the container and the product will be tested as well. The study is expected to be completed seven months after its start this month, and results should be available early next year. For information on participation or for more details, contact J. Jetten at TNO; phone 011/31.30.69.44361, fax 011/31.30.69.56742.