Bayer shifts to thinner-walled HDPE bottles for its agricultural chemicals in Guatemala after solving container-collapse problems with vented cap-seal liners that allow for gas transfer without liquid leakage

Bdebbie Garcia

LOS ANGELES , October 24, 2011 (Industry Intelligence) – Bayer AG in Guatemala has solved container-collapse problems for its bottled agricultural chemicals by using a new cap system that allows for gas transfer without the liquid leaking, reported Packaging World Magazine in its October issue.

With the solution of the new vented induction cap-seal liners, the Germany-based chemical company was also able to use thinner-walled high-density polyethylene HDPE, reducing the container weight by more than 25%.

The 1-liter containers supplied by Matriceria Industrial Roxy SA in San Salvador, El Salvador, weigh about 80 grams (2.8 ounces), which is about 20 grams lighter than the previous container, Packaging World reported.

Reducing the container weight offset the higher cost of the cap-seal liners, which are supplied by W.L. Gore.

Bayer also reduced its use of plastic packaging materials by 90 tons during 2008-2009, said Estuardo Sazo, head of quality control for Bayer.

In Guatemala, Bayer first used the system in 2004 for selected items and had great success. The vented closures are now used for the company’s entire range of agrochemicals filled in Amatitlan, Guatemala, reported Packaging World.

Bayer, which produces, packages and distributes its agricultural chemicals to farm and garden supply outlets and other retail establishments, had been using thick-walled HDPE containers and nitrogen purge to avert container collapse.

After trials, the Gore circular liners were chosen as the best at solving the problem, which is exacerbated with some formulations by the high altitudes in Guatemala, Packaging World reported.

The liners, which have an attached membrane made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) that breathes, allow for air to vent so that a vacuum is not created that can collapse the container.

The Gore liner is suited for a range of products that are difficult to package, such as powerful cleaning chemicals, disinfectant formulations and other caustic chemicals for household, gardening and agricultural use, reported Packaging World.

The caps with vented liners are supplied pre-installed by Roxy. The cap application equipment used by Bayer comes from Mewes.

The primary source of this article is Packaging World Magazine, Chicago, Illinois, in its October 2011 issue.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.