Plastic Technologies Inc. (PTI) has introduced a new foamed PET bottle technology that gives carbonated beverages, cosmetics, and personal care products appealing physical and visual properties.It is also suitable for certain aseptically packaged products.
The Fi-Cell™ (fine cellular) foamed PET bottle is the first technology being made available to the U.S. marketplace under the recently announced representation agreement between Plastic Technologies Inc. and Toyo Seikan Co. Ltd.
One of the Fi-Cell’s key attributes is that the process produces monolayer bottles with a smooth inner and outer wall surface. According to the vendor, other foamed bottle technologies require an over-molded bottle to achieve a similar result.
The introduction is significant for carbonated beverage applications that require a smooth inner wall for an accurate fill.A rough interior surface subjects the liquid to mechanical action. This causes the CO2 to come out of the liquid and turn into gas or froth. Tricked by the froth into thinking that the correct volume has been filled, the filler stops the process, resulting in an underfilled container.Fi-Cell bottles have smooth inner walls that prevent this from happening.
Secondly, the Fi-Cell process produces a visually exciting metallic finish without the use of expensive metallic colorants. Bottles still have the properties needed to accommodate barrier requirements and high-speed filling lines.
Fi-Cell is the latest addition to PTI’s PET foam bottle technology platform.The company has previously announced its oPTI® foamed bottle technology that offers both monolayer and overmolding options, depending on the application.
