Amcor’s new polypropylene closure for household products seeks to combine child resistance and shelf appeal with sustainability-minded features like weight reduction, recyclability, and optional post-consumer content.
The Hector Child Resistant Closure is thought to weigh only 7.25g, with Amcor describing it as ‘one of the lightest closures available on the market’. It is believed to remove 6.75 tonnes of plastic from a one million-pieces order compared to conventional 14g closure, thus achieving material savings while also reducing CO2 emissions.
Using ‘renowned’ recyclability self-assessment tools, Amcor reports that the closure achieves the highest recyclability rating when combined with a PET or HDPE bottle. Customers can opt to manufacture the bottle from 100% CleanStream Home and Industrial, revealed earlier this year as a post-consumer recycled plastic polymer for non-contact-sensitive packaging.
The two-piece closure consists of a directional nozzle – intended to enable precise product dosing and accurate directional control, including in hard-to-reach areas – and a dome-shaped, tight-fitting overcap to prevent leakage. Its curved design is expected to suit the conventional shape of various bleach and cleaner bottles.
Meanwhile, it facilitates the child-resistant squeeze-and-turn safety feature with ‘novel’ thumb and finger holds.
When applied to a 36mm PET bottle neck or a 38mm HDPE equivalent, the closure is anticipated to boost a product’s shelf presence. It can also be customized and colour-matched to suit individual brand requirements.
The Hector Child Resistant Closure is recommended for use in products like bleaches and toilet cleaners, hoping to help brands pursue their sustainability targets while maximizing the pack’s visual appeal.
“The Hector is very much a consumer-led design, helping brands to create on-shelf appeal while meeting safety requirements and supporting sustainability goals,” explained Alejandra Beltran, vice president of research and development of Amcor Global Rigid Packaging Solutions. “It perfectly demonstrates how bigger doesn’t have to mean heavier, and can still be aesthetic, functional and more sustainable at the same time.”
The news comes after Amcor and Slovenian food and home care company Mediacor debuted a ‘recycle-ready’ spouted stand-up pouch for Nana-brand laundry and cleaning products. Compared to two blow-moulded 1L PET bottles, the solution is believed to achieve a 64% reduction in carbon footprint, and it reportedly consumes up to 80% less plastic than conventional solutions when packaging 2L of product.
In other closure-related news, Berry Global previously packaged Green Oil’s performance lubricants in 100% post-consumer recycled caps and bottles. While the polypropylene closure and applicator nozzle initially posed challenges due to low recyclate availability, Berry has implemented its proprietary CleanStream recycled plastic, which can apparently be recycled at end-of-life in countries where the appropriate recycling infrastructure exists.
It has also worked alongside cleaning company Vamoosh to implement an Environmental Stress Crack Resistant additive into the plastic bottle for its Plug Hole Unblocker product; this is said to increase the thickness of its 600ml Alpha bottle. Additionally, the bottle neck has been adapted to fit a standard CRC cap and ensure the pack meets regulatory requirements.
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