New PP jar provides “ultimate clarity and gloss” for high barrier food applications

A new multilayer PP/EVOH/PP jar produced using ISBM (Injection Stretch Blow Moulding) technology is said to offer a new, greater level of transparency and gloss ideally suited for high barrier food applications.

Produced by Total and RPC Promens Consumer Corby in Northamptonshire, the technology opens up opportunities in the retail sector, in particular markets such as cook-in sauces, instant coffee, ready meals, fruits and baby foods, producing packs that deliver high clarity for a premium on-shelf image along with the practical, convenience and safety benefits of plastic.

Equally important, says Total and RPC, is the substantially lighter weight of the plastic jars will help retailers and brand owners meet sustainability targets in terms of packaging and carbon emission reductions.

RPC uses a unique metallocene-based PP specially developed by Total for ISBM technology. This, it says, provides improved aesthetics together with ultra-low extractables, reducing by far the overall migration, especially at high temperature conditions.

Together with the development of a special new manufacturing process, this has allowed RPC Promens Corby to produce multilayer containers that maintain their highly-effective oxygen barrier for long ambient shelf life, while delivering excellent clarity.

The containers are thermally stable to temperatures in excess of 100°C for pasteurisation and sterilisation. A number of popular retail jar sizes are being developed with additional sizes planned for the future. Caps, also supplied by RPC, are manufactured in Polypropylene leading to a mono material pack, which facilitates recycling.