Recyclable cap for ketchup

In the past, Heinz sauce bottles used a flexible silicone valve to ensure an even portion of sauce per squeeze, but this was often difficult to recycle. Together with Berry Global Heinz has now become a Monomaterial closure made of PP transferred. This means that it fulfils the requirements for recyclability.
The project lasted eight years, 45 prototypes and more than 185,000 development hours, to ensure an optimum balance between functionality and sustainability.

Berry was involved throughout the design and production process, from the concept to the creation of the series moulds in the in-house tool shop and the development of the assembly equipment for industrial production. Heinz led a stringent test procedure to ensure that the closure meets the highest quality standards. An extensive consumer survey confirmed that the new concept would be well received by the public as it dispenses the same perfect amount of sauce every time without compromising squeezability.

The study even found that the new cap design helps consumers, squeeze more ketchup out of the bottle when it is almost empty. is. The concept was recognised as Rigid Pack of the Year for Kraft Heinz at the UK Packaging Awards 2023.

„Heinz presented us with a challenge that best suited us and our development departments: to redesign the cap to be 100 per cent recyclable without compromising the performance that millions of consumers know and love. We are delighted that the end result exceeds our original expectations and actually improves the consumer experience.“

Matthias Hammersen, Sales Director - Food Market at Berry Global

The caps will be rolled out across the UK on 400ml and larger top-down bottles of Heinz Tomato Ketchup, including varieties with 50 per cent less sugar and salt. In the future, the Closure also extended to other Heinz sauces in the UK and Europe be used. Heinz claims that by switching to the recyclable lid, 300 million plastic lids that end up in landfill can be saved worldwide every year.

„We know that our consumers care about their impact on the environment, and so do we. That's why we're delighted that our innovative, more sustainable caps can be seen on Heinz Tomato Ketchup bottles across the UK. Although this is only a small change, millions of Heinz lovers across the country will be able to recycle their entire ketchup bottle at once - a small action with a big impact.“

Jojo de Noronha, President of Kraft Heinz Northern Europe

Source: Berry Global