Filling and packaging systems manufacturer KHS has agreed to co-operate with the LiquiForm Group to help develop and commercialise its all-in-one forming and filling technology.
KHS has previously worked in this area and will contribute its expertise and intellectual property to market the technique, which combines two previously separate processes.
It is hoped LiquiForm will eventually supersede the conventional stretch blow moulding process.
“This partnership will drive the change in paradigm in the beverage industry further,” Frank Haesendonckx, head of sales and technology at KHS Corpoplast, said.
Currently, beverage producers who wish to fill PET bottles first have to manufacture bottles from preforms in a stretch blow moulding process using compressed air.
The blown containers are then filled with the beverage at a second stage in the proceedings.
LiquiForm technology permits bottles to be made and filled in one single operation.
The liquid to be bottled is used during filling to shape the receptacle.
The new technology is currently at an advanced stage in its development.
KHS says the advantages for bottlers are obvious: It makes the filling stage superfluous and saves resources such as air and electricity are also saved. Beverage producers also save space as only one machine is needed instead of the standard stretch blow molding/filling block.
