CAPS AND CLOSURES | TECHNOLOGY
Closing in on tethered caps
The deadline in Europe for tethered caps and closures on bottles and other beverage containers is fast approaching. Mark Holmes looks at some measures that injection moulding machinery manufacturers are implementing to meet this challenge
The introduction of tethered caps and closures on bottles and other beverage containers requires some new approaches in injection moulding. Machinery manufacturers are developing innova- tive solutions while continuing to deliver energy savings and make increased use of recyclates to meet the needs of the circular economy. The effects of the European Union directive 2019/904 for caps and closures set out new requirements for the production of tethered caps, in terms of content, scope and a timeline. “Teth- ered caps are caps which remain firmly attached to the bottle after opening and during the product’s service life or life cycle,” says Ivica Puskaric, Sales Director Packaging at Engel. “This regulation applies to the caps of all beverage containers up to
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a capacity of three litres, for example, containers used to hold liquids, such as beverage bottles, including their closures and lids, and composite beverage containers, including their closures and lids. Not included are glass or metal beverage containers with plastic closures or lids, and bever- age containers intended for liquid foodstuffs for special medical purposes. The legal foundations based on this regulation were created in the EU member states by 31 July 2021, and the entry into force of the legal and administrative regulations is scheduled for 3 July 2024 at the latest.” Puskaric highlights the basic requirements for the design and function of tethered caps resulting from this regulation. The closure must be compat- ible with existing preform designs, openings and
Main image: Caps were at the centre of many K2022 demonstra- tions, including this one at the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag stand
April 2023 | INJECTION WORLD 35
IMAGE: D ELDRIDGE
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