Aseptic plastic bottle packaging overview

Tom Szemplenski, president of International Aseptic Technology (Shawnee Mission, KS), will present a comprehensive paper on the state of aseptic plastic bottle packaging at PET Strategies 2000, Sept. 18-19 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Atlanta, GA. The conference is being sponsored by Packaging Strategies.

International Aseptic Technology is a leading aseptic consulting firm with extensive knowledge and experience in the field of aseptic applications for the food and beverage industries. We can offer you a little taste of Szemplenski's planned remarks:

"Currently, the U.S. market for aseptic plastic bottle fillers is comprised of three distinct segments. The first is for the aseptic filling of high- and low-acid products with shelf stability validated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This currently is the smallest market. The second market is for the aseptic filling of high-acid products only. This segment is exploding with activity. These fillers do not require FDA validation because they are aseptically filling foods and beverages that do not produce microorganisms or bacteria that pose a threat to human health. The third market is for the filling of aseptic plastic bottles with aseptically processed, low-acid products that will be stored, distributed and consumed in a cold state. Because these products are processed and packaged under aseptic conditions for extended shelf life (ESL) in refrigerated conditions, the aseptic fillers do not require FDA validation. The ESL segment has been experiencing extraordinary growth, and that growth is expected to continue."

Szemplenski will present an updated list of aseptic plastic bottle installations, including the types of equipment used and the products being produced. By Tom's count, there currently are 211 aseptic PET bottle filler installations worldwide, 28 of them in the U.S. (not counting the 25 Rommelag "semi-aseptic" fillers at General Mills for Squeeze-It).

Some other subjects to be addressed at the conference include Beer in PET, Plasma-Based Barrier Coating Systems, High-Performance Closures, PET Temperature Tolerance Advances, and an Assessment of the Future for PEN.

If your appetite is whetted, you can call 1-800-524-7225 or visit www.packstrat.com for PET Strategies 2000 registration information.

Edited by Judy Rice