PET expands into dairy
following the launch of a premium milk brand.
PET packaging for dairy products is starting to take off in Europe, following the launch of a premium milk brand.
Reed Kite Farms has chosen PET packaging from Owens-Illinois Plastics for the launch of its new premium milk, Slumber Bedtime Milk, further enhancing the material's growing share of the retail dairy products markets.
The dairy's specification of PET is the second use of the material for premium milk to differentiate the products from more commodity milks and milk-based drinks. It follows the success of O-I's 1L PET bottle launched for Highgrove Foods' Gold Top, which became the first milk to achieve multiple-retailer distribution in PET last year.
The clarity and robustness of PET are key factors in its success in the milk market. Steve Carter, European sales director for manufacturer, Owens-Illinois Plastics, said: "No other plastic packaging shows off the contents of a bottle as clearly as PET and the premium milk market is just beginning to exploit its potential to the full."
The Slumber Bedtime Milk container is one of O-I Plastics standard 330ml beverage bottles, which has been adapted to include its patented UV light barrier technology ATX432, enabling the container to provide the shelf life necessary for fresh milk products.
Owens-Illinois Plastics is investing £6 million (€9.2m) in its UK operation this year to cater for the increased demands from the dairy and other expanding market sectors and has laid down Europe's largest number of pre-forms to expand the single serve premium, milk sector.
