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Alcoa expand closure range
Alcoa Closure Systems International (CSI) announced today the expansion of its popular mini™ brand closure portfolio with two new product offerings for carbonated and malt beverage producers. The new 28mm Xtra-Lok mini™ and 28mm MB-Lok mini™ closures are the first short height closures in the beverage industry that are capable of handling multi-serve PET package sizes up to 2.5 liters. The Xtra-Lok mini™ closure can be specified for use on either the 1873 or 1881 (under development) short height bottle finishes, depending upon customer requirements. The products provide beverage customers the capability and advantage of using one closure design for all of their PET bottle requirements. In addition to reduced inventory, the new closures provide significant packaging cost savings and environmental benefits.
Malt beverage producers can also realize savings with Alcoa’s new 28mm MB-Lok mini™ closure. Especially designed for cold-filled malt beverages packaged in PET bottles, the MB-Lok mini™ closure assures delivery of the freshest product for brewers while maximizing profit margins. The closure can be specified for either the 1873 or 1881 (under development) short height bottle finish and features an in-shell molded scavenger liner to maximize product freshness and shelf life.
“The new Xtra-Lok mini and MB-Lok mini closures are part of a total package solution. Alcoa CSI is helping to deliver significant packaging cost savings to a major beverage producer with the recent launch of the28mm Xtra-Lok mini closure in Mexico. With the MB-Lok mini™, malt beverage producers can now consider the benefits of package cost savings and brand building connection with a classic closure profile,” says John Grainda, Alcoa CSI’s Global Marketing Manager.
Alcoa CSI has developed proprietary technology along with its proven XT™ liner that enables the new closures to withstand the most stringent packaging conditions for product safety and carbonation retention, while maintaining an easy-open, attractive appearance. This capability allows bottling operations to source one closure for both single-serve and multi-serve packages. The result is reduced closure inventory, fewer equipment changeovers and higher operational efficiencies.
Using the short height 1873 PCO bottle finish and the Xtra-Lok mini™ closure, beverage producers can realize up to 1.8 grams of packaging weight savings compared to the 1810 PCO bottle finish with a standard height closure. The closure also appeals to consumers with a classic, easy open, low-profile design. Alcoa’s mini™ is the latest advancement to minimize the cost of PET beverage packaging, while also reducing the impact on the environment.
Since partnering with major soft drink bottlers in Mexico and Central America, over 300 million PET packages sealed with Alcoa CSI mini™ closures have been sold and distributed commercially, with bottling line speeds in excess of 900 bottles per minute. Quality, application and production efficiency have been equal to or exceeded the performance parameters prior to conversion from standard size closures. Using Alcoa CSI’s quick-change capper conversion kit, mini™ closures can be easily integrated into existing bottling lines.
“Our customers are enjoying significant system cost savings by converting to Alcoa mini closures, and these same closures are now commercially available for use across the globe. Mini closures are relevant to our customers because they not only contribute so much to the bottom line but also serve as an important part of our customer’s corporate sustainability initiatives,” says Grainda.
