Velvet PET - PET bottles with a velvety HDPE feel

Packaging manufacturers may be considering a change of material from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for bottles for a variety of reasons. These include the advantages of the efficient ISBM (Injection Stretch Blow Moulding) process and associated material efficiency, the availability of recyclates to more quickly achieve recycling quotas, and a lower CO₂ footprint. However, for some brand owners, the velvety, premium haptics of HDPE extrusion blow-moulded bottles have so far presented an aesthetic challenge in product marketing. Lifocolor has developed a new masterbatch solution that gives PET bottles produced using the ISBM process a softer, more tactile feel, similar to that of HDPE extrusion blow-moulded bottles. Therefore, processors can benefit from the advantages of the PET process without having to forego the sensory brand experience previously reserved for HDPE bottles.