Bericap, manufacturer of plastic closures, presents various closure designs for tethered caps, all of which fulfil the requirements of EU Directive 2019/904.
27 March 2020
Solutions for tethered caps (Image: Bericap)
What may sound like a simple task at first glance poses major technical challenges for beverage manufacturers, bottlers and their suppliers - especially cap manufacturers: Closures for plastic drinks bottles must remain attached to them from mid-2024 at the latest.
Even if the target is clearly defined: in order to prepare the entire European beverage industry for Tethered caps (including closures that are attached to the bottle after opening), the time frame is short. Bericap, manufacturer of plastic closures, presents various closure designs for tethered caps, all of which fulfil the requirements of the EU Directive 2019/904 fulfil.
The requirements for the beverage industry with regard to the new closures are obvious: while retaining user-friendliness and quality, the new closures should not have a negative impact on the bottle design, the bottle thread, the filling line or the capping machine in order to minimise the risk of damage. Production costs cannot be influenced.
In addition, the closures are to be used both as lightweight The range includes press-on closures - such as those used for still mineral water in particular - as well as screw caps, which have to fulfil significantly higher requirements in terms of pressure resistance and tightness. Bericap has developed solutions for all these requirements.
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Volker Spiesmacher, Sales & Marketing Director Bericap Holding Budenheim
„During the product development process, it quickly became clear that the screw caps had to be redesigned so that they were compatible with every technical specification of the customer,“ says Volker Spiesmacher, Director Sales and Marketing of the company.
Suitable for all standard threaded necks
The various technical connections for screw caps that Bericap has developed can each be used for the same thread size - essentially only one thread size is required. Redesign of the current closure necessary. However, all innovations can also be adapted for the most important thread sizes available on the market. However, some closure proposals show a Better handling, even if small details on the neck are adjusted.
Gradual introduction made possible
The Bericap proposals allow the new cap design to be launched earlier than the actual tethered cap screw cap solution needs to be implemented. This means that the redesigned closures can easily be produced with all the technical requirements for a version with possible tethering, which will become mandatory from July 2024. In this way, companies can use the new closures Establish in the market at an early stage and later, supported by the suitable marketing activities, introduce the variant with connection.
„With the tethered cap solutions we are presenting, we are not only offering customers a tried-and-tested solution that enables them to fulfil the EU requirements for their various applications and markets. We also enable them to gradually convert their filling lines to use the new tethered caps. This process is linked to minimal to no costs connected,“ emphasises Volker Spiesmacher. „We are currently in talks with our customers and are providing them with comprehensive support during the transition process.“
[infotext icon]On 5 June 2019, the EU published a far-reaching directive on the Reduction of plastic waste in the world's oceans, which came into force on 2 July. It also contains a provision on closures for plastic drinks bottles. In future, plastic caps must remain attached to the bottle during drinking and when it is empty.
