THE KHS Group has announced it is taking the protection of oxygen-sensitive drinks such as tea to the next level with the launch of KHS SUPREME.
The system is described as combining the benefits of glass with the handleability of PET by applying Plasmax barrier technology.
Plasmax barrier technology is a ‘wafer-thin’ and transparent layer of silicon oxide that coats the inside wall of PET bottles like glass. Less than 100 nanometers thick, it is designed to protect the sensitive bottle content from oxidation, retaining its taste, colour and quality for lengthy periods of time.
KHS has been utilising Plasmax technology for over 20 years and is continuously further developing it at the firm’s Hamburg factory.
“Our barrier system is ideal for premium products such as green tea that’s extremely quality-sensitive and has to satisfy the highest requirements on markets such as Asia,” said Philipp Langhammer, product manager for barrier technology at KHS.
The tech was originally developed for pharmaceutical glass containers. The first Plasmax systems were piloted in the food sector in the early 2000s. Since then, KHS has further developed its Plasmax barrier and this year scaled it up to industrial production speeds of up to 60,000 bottles per hour.
One advantage of Plasmax technology is that it is completely recyclable: the glass coating is removed by caustic during the recycling process without affecting the quality of the material.
KHS will be presenting its system at interpack in Düsseldorf, from May 7-13.
