Page 53 - AMEFT Journal 2021-2

PROCESSING & PACKAGING
On the path of sustainability:
KHS provides holistic measures to abide EU directives
The European Union (EU) directive on tethered caps stipulates that from July 2024 caps must be firm- ly attached to non-returnable PET bottles holding up to 3.0 liters. KHS is already offering its customers a comprehensive consultancy service to help them im- plement the new political guideline by the appointed date. Regardless of whether the minimum legal requi- rements are to be met or a long-term cut in the use of resources and CO2 emissions is to be achieved in conjunction with tethered caps, KHS provides its clients with holistic advice.
The directive is part of the EU Plastics Strategy that aims to reduce the number of single-use plastic items most frequently found in the environment. The EU counts loose caps from one-way PET beverage bottles among the aforementioned items. Article 6 of the di- rective specifies that tethered caps are a requirement that must be implemented by July 2024. All producers of soft drinks, still water products, aseptic beverages and beer in the EU must convert their machinery to this end by the appointed date. At the moment bottle cap standards valid throughout Europe are being prepared in order to simplify the introduction of the directive for all member states. The proposed directive is expected to pass into law in the near future.
Implementing the directive simultaneously in 27 member states is a unique undertaking and huge feat for beverage, cap and preform manufacturers and all associated suppliers to master. “Our customers are concerned and have to know in good time about the possible action and investments they need to take and make with respect to the regulatory decisions,” Wille
explains. In order to provide com- prehensive, ho- listic and expert advice when it co- mes to the bottle design, KHS Ser- vice works closely with the Bottles & ShapesTM experts at KHS.
The main aim is
to generate extra
added value in the
Manfred Härtel
(Source: KHS Group)
(Source: KHS Group)
long term by sa-
As Filling Product Manager at KHS, Manfred Härtel Here, KHS also has portfolio, including aseptics
pending EU directives firmly in its sights that will also play a role for the beverage industry in the near future. By 2025, for instance, the EU requires that PET bottles comprise 25% recyclate, with this amount rising to 30% by 2030.
Under the umbrella of its Bottles and ShapesTM PET container consultancy service, KHS helps beverage pro- ducers to implement their objectives and adjust their portfolio where necessary. “Now’s a good time for bott- lers who haven’t yet redesigned their containers to in- vest in the future and see the obligatory provisions of the EU directive as an opportunity. By reducing the bottle weight and using less material as a result, we can save even more resources and thus money,” Wille smiles.
ving on resources. is responsible for the entire filling technology
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