KHS, a pioneer in coating technology, has launched a new generation of the InnoPET Plasmax machine, offering increased output, improved quality, flexibility, and efficiency. The InnoPET Plasmax technology, introduced around 20 years ago, applies a thin layer of chemically pure glass to the inside of PET bottles, providing effective product protection while maintaining 100% recyclability. Despite initial industry skepticism, the technology has gained traction, with several national and international bottlers adopting it. KHS has responded to the growing demand by expanding its production capacities in Hamburg.
The coating process involves applying a layer of glass that protects the content against oxygen pickup and carbon dioxide loss, extending shelf life similar to glass bottles but with the lightweight and durability of plastic.
Unlike competitors using blended or multilayer materials that complicate bottle-to-bottle recycling, KHS’s FreshSafe PET coating can be completely washed off during recycling, enabling full bottle-to-bottle reuse. This feature has been confirmed by EPBP and APR, with FDA and Chinese National Health Commission also certifying its safety for food contact.
The new InnoPET Plasmax machine generation offers increased capacity, with the InnoPET Plasmax 80ES variant capable of coating up to 48,000 bottles per hour. The machine’s design improvements, such as aligning the infeed and discharge at the same height as the stretch blow molder and filler, simplify bottle handling and prepare for even higher speeds in the future.
“By moving up into the higher capacity ranges we want to reach out to the big bottlers of carbonated soft drinks in particular who need to protect their beverages against carbon dioxide loss in smaller bottles especially,” says Philipp Langhammer, product manager for barrier technology at KHS.
The modular platform allows for different speed configurations to meet individual customer needs. For niche suppliers or smaller bottlers, the InnoPET Plasmax 48ER will be available, capable of coating up to 24,000 bottles per hour.
The latest development also focuses on efficiency, with a reduction in parts, components, and maintenance tasks. This, coupled with a smaller footprint, makes integration into production areas easier and lowers maintenance costs.
Overall, the new InnoPET Plasmax series offers beverage producers higher output, better coating quality, improved flexibility, and lower operating costs, making it an attractive investment for those seeking sustainable and efficient packaging solutions.
“All of our non-returnable bottles consist of 100% recycled and recyclable PET. It’s thus only logical that we use a barrier technology to protect our products that not only provides the best protection properties but also continues to permit full recycling by material type,” notes Henning Rodekohr, managing partner of the VILSA Group.
