Petainer

Petainer, a UK-based container manufacturer and supplier of plastic packaging for beverages has developed the petainerKeg™ Linestar based on the petainerKeg™ a classic blown, one-way, recyclable PET keg, featuring a significantly redesigned outer shell which enables it to fit specifically on existing steel-keg filling lines; reduce logistics costs up to 30% and maintain taste quality equal to that of steel.

Petainer Group Commercial Strategy Director, Annemieke Hartman-Jemmett says, “It used to be unthinkable to transport beer, wine and cider in steel kegs, instead of wood. PET is simply part of the ongoing evolution of the keg. With the petainerKeg™ Linestar we’re now taking that evolution a step further - making it even easier for fillers and brewers to benefit from a lightweight, more flexible packaging system that reduces freight costs - without the need for them to invest in new filling lines or systems.”

Steel kegs have traditionally been filled with the fitting of the keg facing downwards. Petainer’s new solution is available in 20 and 30 litre formats and can be filled on an existing filling line, from the bottom up on a filling head. A specially designed, rigid casing means that the petainerKeg™ Linestar travels efficiently and smoothly on existing steel-keg lines. The casing also makes the keg easier to handle in bars, clubs and restaurants; it can be printed to users’ specifications to create new branding opportunities, and is fully recyclable.

Petainer has invested heavily in anti-oxidation research. The connection between the keg line’s filling head and the keg fitting of the petainerKeg™ Linestar has been optimised to minimise oxygen intake, whilst an active scavenger ingredient within the keg material, ’eats oxygen’, which means the contents stay fresher for longer. Independent taste tests show that the taste of the beer, wine and cider stored within, rates equal to that of steel kegs.

The company also has plans for local blowing hubs that can facilitate on-demand production, in-country or at a customer facility. A new equipment rental system was realized in close cooperation with KHS, and has been designed for brewers, fillers and brand owners who want to start using PET kegs with no capital expenditure restrictions.