The market for fasteners is very innovative, even if the consumer rarely realises this. New developments are currently focussed primarily on greater functionality and weight reduction. Closure manufacturers Bericap combines a feel for market trends with its own trend-setting creations in its new and further developments.
In the last few months alone, the specialists from Budenheim have presented a large number of new, interesting examples that go beyond the usual standards. The spectrum ranges from new childproof constructions, where the shutter can only be opened by pressing and turning at the same time, have special Variants for travelling or sporting activities through to details for guaranteed tamper-evident closure and the Counterfeit protection.
With Crystal, for example, Bericap has developed a new two-part sports closure with a two-colour look, transparent PP sleeve and coloured HDPE spout. Laser technology is used to protect against counterfeiting and tampering with bottles: as soon as the closure is opened, the security band breaks and the logo is „destroyed“. This makes it obvious that the bottle has already been opened.
We are interested in where this creativity comes from at the global closure manufacturer. What is behind it? Where are the focal points? We have Volker Spiesmacher, Sales & Marketing Director of Bericap Holding Budenheim.
Volker Spiesmacher: Bericap is a global company with 23 production sites in 20 countries worldwide. As a result, it is almost inevitable that Requirements of closures from practically all parts of the world are brought together, either initiated by customers or through market observation in the individual countries. This wealth of knowledge about the markets results in product requirements or new product ideas, which are brought to market maturity if the assessment is positive. In addition, existing products are repeatedly analysed for improvement potential.
Of course Customer experiences This is constantly leading to new approaches, ideas and product launches. Take, for example, the requirement for very lightweight closures for still water. Initially, very lightweight closures were developed and launched on the market. Some customers soon realised that these very light closures were very difficult for consumers to handle due to their low height. We responded immediately and developed a closure to match the same lightweight neck finish, which offered the consumer a good grip height and was only slightly heavier than the lightweight version. This is how Consumer friendliness with weight savings harmonised.
pj: Does your company attach particular importance to fulfilling specific customer wishes in line with trends or do you prefer to shape the market with trend-setting products?
Volker Spiesmacher: Customers, like employees, are extremely important for a company. We at Bericap produce Standard fasteners for the mass market, which of course must have a high level of consumer acceptance. Of course, we also develop Customised solutions. Here we can point to a new closure variant for hot-filled soya sauces in glass bottles, which was successfully launched in China thanks to its functionality, product safety and high customer acceptance. Our customer was able to expand its market position as a result.
To support the brand, we will in future Holograms on the top of the clasp that show the brand name, for example, which can be displayed differently depending on the viewing angle.
There are many more examples to mention. They are proof that it is essential for Bericap, as a global market player, to develop trend-setting products.
pj: How are new closures tested before they are used in practice? What is particularly important to Bericap?
Volker Spiesmacher: Each closure goes through various stages during its development to market maturity. Test procedures. Pressure resistance is important for carbonated production. CO2-Losses must be within the acceptable range required by customers. At the same time, the opening forces must allow the consumer to open the bottle easily. Corresponding tests are carried out in our laboratory before a new product is tested on a filling line at the customer's premises.
Closures for the transport and storage of dangerous goods undergo Strict test conditions, and are always tested in combination with the canister. Ultimately, in an emergency, e.g. in the event of a transport accident, the entire packaging must remain leak-proof. In our laboratory, we initially carry out basic tests such as pressure, drop or vacuum tests together with the canister. Ultimately, closures for this market segment must always be tested together with the canister by an official test centre, e.g. TÜV, before the Federal Institute for Materials Research (BAM) issues a UN certificate, which is essential for the transport of chemical products. All Bericap closures for chemical products are UN-certified.
pj: What special solutions have there been recently?
Volker Spiesmacher: When discussing which new or pioneering products could be of interest to the market, we looked at several ideas. I would like to take a closer look at three examples here:
1. for closures with 28 millimetre or 38 millimetre neck finishes, which are available on the market at a reasonable price Modern press-on fasteners which can be used for syrup, cooking oil or sauces.
2. in order to make the entire packaging on the shelf more eye-catching for the consumer with the help of the closure, we have developed a Overcap for fasteners developed. This cap is pressed onto our standard screw cap after the capping process at the customer's premises. The result is packaging that is very eye-catching for the consumer and therefore encourages them to buy.
3 With a different cap design, we offer consumers the option of dispensing smaller or larger quantities of cooking oil, vinegar or sauces. The 2-flow concept is characterised by the fact that there is a large opening integrated into the cap and a smaller opening on the opposite side. The consumer only has to turn the bottle in the appropriate direction to dose.
pj: Which development was a particular challenge?
Volker Spiesmacher: Smoking is known to be harmful to health. Nevertheless, many people want to continue smoking in some form and have opted for the electric cigarette, which can be filled with a liquid. Last year, we developed a Childproof locking solution which enables a dosed filling of this electronic cigarette.
pj: By reducing the weight of even such small parts as closures, the company saves many thousands of tonnes of raw materials every year. This is an important contribution to conserving resources. What goals has Bericap set itself for the future?
Volker Spiesmacher: Bericap has sold around 28 per cent more closures globally since 2012. Despite the growth in business, we have managed to reduce CO2-emissions significantly. The development and marketing of lighter closures thus have a corresponding effect on CO2-balance. However, measures are also being taken in the companies to save energy. This includes, for example, a programme to replace old machines with new machines that consume less energy. We will continue along this path in the future in order to minimise our CO2-balance sheet.
