Origin Materials has introduced its CapFormer System, the first commercial-scale manufacturing system for PET caps and closures. The company has also successfully completed the Factory Acceptance Test for the system, validating its performance specifications with over 98% manufacturing efficiency.
“Today marks a significant milestone for sustainable packaging and recycling,” said Origin Co-CEO and Co-Founder John Bissell. He noted that the CapFormer System’s successful test at commercial production scale represents a major advancement. “We have unlocked the ability to produce PET caps at a commercial scale using novel thermoforming, slit-and-fold technology, and proprietary design elements,” Bissell added.
The system is designed to address the $65 billion caps and closures market, offering a unique solution for PET cap production. Origin claims the system’s high-speed throughput and efficiency mark a significant improvement in packaging circularity and performance. The technology enables the first-ever commercial production of PET caps, including those made from recycled PET.
The CapFormer System is expected to revolutionize packaging by facilitating 100% PET container-to-container recycling. The successful Factory Acceptance Test demonstrated the system’s high operational efficiency and innovative design, which includes a combination of thermoforming and slit-and-fold technologies.
“The CapFormer System has already produced several million PET caps using recycled PET plastic,” Bissell said. Looking ahead, Origin plans to expand its applications to a range of products, including beverage bottles, food packaging, and medical products. PCO 1881-compatible caps made from virgin or recycled PET will be available starting in Q4 2024, with additional cap types to follow.