Tampico Launches Precedent Setting cPP Beverage Container

Tampico, a Chicago based leading global producer of fruit beverages, has recently introduced a new children’s juice product that is being packaged in clarified polypropylene (cPP) containers, resulting in cost and quality advantages made possible by recent Milliken & Company research.

The new Tampico beverage, Tampikids, is one of the first market applications resulting from Milliken’s breakthrough development program, which was undertaken to increase the competitiveness of cPP in comparison to PET for beverages.

“Our goal was to take advantage of the latest innovations in packaging technology in a way that supports our quality image, while allowing us to profitably enter new markets,” said Sergio Romeiro, vice president of technical product and package development for Tampico. “As we expand in Europe and Asia, the demands on packaging are greater, which makes the technology behind the containers even more important.”

Tampico challenged Milliken to create a clear package for its new children’s juice beverage that would reduce manufacturing costs while allowing it to increase juice content without using preservatives. Development trials focused on the Sidel SBO Series2+ machines.

Additionally, Milliken partnered with Braskem, the largest petrochemical company in Latin America and Packpet, a Brazilian converter leading the market in production of five and 20 liter PET bottles using the ISBM process.

“By tapping into findings from our recent development efforts using ISBM for cPP, we developed 250 ml hot-filled bottles with a unique Tampico design and name,” said Marta Janowitzer, marketing manager for Milliken & Company Latin America. “Under hot-fill conditions, the bottles do not distort, offering more efficient cycle times and enhanced rigidity.

“Additionally, this packaging allows the juice content of the product to be enhanced without the addition of preservatives so that it can be distributed at ambient temperatures in regions such as Latin America where refrigerated supply systems are not widely available,” she said.

Milliken & Company recently announced the results of development trials that increased the production rates of cPP beverage containers by more than 30 percent, matching those for PET and elevating cPP as a viable option for containers. The trials included preform and bottle design optimization, process improvements and the use of specifically designed resins clarified with Milliken’s Millad 3988 clarifying agent.

In addition to lower costs, cPP is superior to PET for certain beverage container applications because of its excellent mold duplication properties and the fact that it can be hot filled at temperatures up to 209°F (98°C). Tampico believes that the package itself will contribute to the product’s success in the marketplace.

“Visually, the bottle is very similar to the PET bottle, with clarity that shows the true color of the beverage, enhancing its appeal,” Romeiro said. “The clarified PP bottle created through this new approach to ISBM enables us to create the packaging at a lower cost and also add value to the Tampico brand.”

Representatives from Braskem and Packpet also see the long-term benefit of research and development in the advancements of ISBM cPP.

“As the leading thermoplastics supplier in Latin America, we are strongly committed to bringing innovation to the supply chain with which we are involved,” said Luis Felli a sales director with Braskem. “EBM PP and PE bottles are common in the food & beverage and home & personal care industries. A ISBM PP bottle brings new opportunities to these industries by providing superior aesthetics, hot filling, high moisture barrier and squeezability at a competitive cost. Juice drinks, isotonics, teas, dry food powders and some home care products are the targeted end markets”.

Vitor Garcia, managing director of ISBM cPP with Packpet believes the result of this collaborative effort offers benefits of improved package aesthetics and performance in the industry.

“Partnering with Milliken, Braskem and Sidel w