GR8 Engineering Ltd is looking to undertake a proof of market study into the innovative use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for plastic containers as an alternative and more environmentally friendly packaging material to polypropylene (PP)

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The directors of GR8 Engineering Ltd have been successfully innovating and working in the plastic bottle market since 2007, and the company now has a number of key patents and applications related to technologies and manufacturing processes in the plastics industry. We are confident GR8’s unique technologies can also be applied to the manufacture of lightweight plastic containers; using PET as a commercially and technically viable alternative to polypropylene and thereby reducing weight and energy in the production process. Currently, the thickness of polypropylene containers cannot be reduced without compromising integral strength and performance. There is the potential for reducing thickness profiles with PET and achieving weight savings of over 15% and energy savings of over 30%, which will impact significantly on the carbon footprint of plastics packaging globally. The new manufacturing process will also reduce the volume and effect of waste currently produced by the industry, by increasing the percentage conversion rate to finished product of an equivalent tonnage of base material and, as there is an established recycling stream and high demand for (PCR) Post Consumer Recyclate, by creating a more recyclable end-of-life product.The project is designed to prove the extent of global market acceptability of the newtechnology within commercially realistic cost parameters. Objectivity and outcomes will be determined by a combination of general and customer-specific market research that will include desk research and targeted interviews throughout the industry supply chain, the identification of best marketing practice, design conceptualisation and the preparation of a draft plan for implementing proposals delivered by the project. There will be a mid-point review, which will confirm the continued relevance of terms and reference and/or any need for change.The technology area is identified as the proposed use of PET in the manufacture of plastic containers.