Al Ain Mineral Water Company, an entity of Abu Dhabi-based food and beverage company Agthia Group, announced that it has integrated the breakthrough ThermoShape lightweight hot-fill technology into its production lines.

The first ThermoShape integrated high-speed blow and fill complete packaging line in the world went into commercial operation this month at Al Ain Mineral Water Company. The line was designed, commissioned and installed by Plastipak Packaging.

'Al Ain Water's investment in the new first-class ThermoShape technology will enable Agthia to advance further in line with our product diversification strategy,' said Agthia CEO Ilias Assimakopoulos.

US-based Plastipak is a world leader in the design and manufacture of plastic containers for the food, beverage, and consumer products industries. The company operates more than twenty plants in the United States, South America and Europe.

'This investment will enable us to enter the value-added beverage segments such as sports drinks and juices, while using at least 30 per cent less PET than the existing 'hot fill' bottling lines in the market. This in turn means delivery on both cost and energy savings for the company and further demonstrates our corporate social responsibility commitment towards reducing our environmental impact,' added Al Ain Water general manager Fasahat Beg.

Bottles produced and filled using the ThermoShape process have slightly positive internal pressure, providing superior vertical load resistance for packaging and distribution.

Using Plastipak's patented technology, ThermoShape bottles can achieve shelf life of up to 12 months at ambient temperature without bottle deformation due to standard loss of oxygen in the bottle headspace and water loss through bottle PET walls. The line was designed, commissioned, and installed by Plastipak, and features globally patented, in-line heat-based reshaping of bottles after they are hot-filled.-TradeArabia News Service