HDPE Bottles/Containers for the Packaging of Milk

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers have been used for decades in a great variety of applications. The first major applications of this technology was the rigid packaging of liquid milk and motor oil. Currently the total consumption of HDPE for blow molding containers in USA is almost 1.8 million metric tons, where milk bottles ranged up to a total of 363.000 metric tonsand 36.000 metric tons for other food applications.

Packaging of industrial fluid milk appeared after 1884, when theglass milk bottle was invented by Dr. Hervey D. Thatcher in Potsdam, NY. Glass container was replaced by plastic-coated cardboard, which in turn was substituted by blow molded HDPE bottles, introduced in the market in 1932 and 1964, respectively.

Other containers, such as “pouches” (bags) are also used for fluid milk packaging; nevertheless, plastic bottle is still the most common package in many countries.

HDPE bottles are manufactured by extrusion blow molding. HDPE monolayer container is used. In most cases where additional protection is required, a multilayer container can be coextruded.

Label

The label provides an easy and cheap method to promote a product and allows a continuous change in design in order to keep consumers interest, adding value to package by including information for customers, coupons, recipes, etc.

The type of label provides up to 75% more space for information about brand, nutritional value in multiple languages and larger letter size for impaired and elderly consumers, special promotions and occasional marketing.

Lids

Lids and closure systems are in charge of keeping beverage inside the container. They also maintain product freshness, provide a barrier to dirt, oxygen and moisture, and prevent leakage through openings. Additionally, they can be used for promotions as marketing tools.

Other ideas to promote milk through the lids are:

• The lids can be identified with a particular milk brand in order to make the container more noticeable.
• The lids which include a liner and a tamper evident ring can use their inner part to offer instant prizes.
• The lids can come in different fashionable colors, such as a clear transparent purple or a neon yellow, while the liners can have holographic images.

Benefits of HDPE Plastic Bottles

Recyclable:

HDPE bottles are 100% recyclable so material can be used over and over again

Sustainable:

HDPE offers opportunities to integrate recycled material back into the supply chain

Adaptable:

The only bottle type of plastic that can be used as a monolayer bottle for pasteurized milk, or as a coextruded bottle with barrier layers for UHT or sterilized milk

Easy to use:

The only type of packaging that allows an integrated handle and pouring aperture to enable controlled grip and pour

Safe and secure:

HDPE is safe and secure for milk packaging.

Commercial:

HDPE bottles offer a full range of marketing opportunities, e.g. printing direct onto the material, printing direct onto the sleeve or label.

Innovative:

Ability to push boundaries and achieve new milestones with innovative use of blow moulding equipment