Caps and closures evolve

It is anticipated that advances for caps and closures will be aided by greater use of more expensive dispensing closures as well as the popularity for single-serve containers. Another growth area is from the beverage market where inroads are being made by plastic containers for applications that were formerly dominated by glass and metal closures.

Pharmaceutical closures are expected to register the fastest growth, with the need to comply with regulations and standards governing child-resistant, senior-friendly and requisite security features.
In a report published by Global Industry Analysts, a reputed US publisher of off-the-shelf market research, there’s a move away from metallic caps and closures towards plastic products that present new opportunities for innovation.

The industry, however, is expected to face tough competition from packaging formats such as stand-up pouches and blister packs. Further, growing environmental concerns pertaining to the use of plastic waste is also expected to affect overall demand.
According to Global Industry Analysts, plastic caps and closures represent the largest and fastest growing segment in the global caps and closures market.  As reported by Freedonia, this report also anticipates these closures will benefit from the continued substitution of glass and metal containers by plastic packaging, particularly in the food and beverage industry.

The increasing use of closure-based plastic packaging for closureless products such as plastic pouches and drink cartons is a major factor fuelling demand for caps and closures across the world.

In pursuit of excellence

EVOTEC Plastics is striving to set new standards when it comes to the production of precision plastic parts and components primarily for the cosmetics, aerosol, medical and industrial sectors. EMMA ROWBERRY discusses the latest cosmetics technology from EvoTec with GERNOT LIEBENTRITT.

Established five years ago, and managed by father and son team, Roland and Gernot Liebentritt, EvoTec Plastics is firmly focused on innovative technologies and collaborative partnerships with customers.
Although EvoTec Plastics develops and manufactures precision plastic parts and components for a number of sectors, including medical and industrial, the focus here is on technologies for packaging (caps and closures) and aerosol components.
EvoTec’s closures are predominantly made from polypropylene (PP) and the company also specialises in surlyn caps – a glass look-alike material.

Caps and closures are produced in-house and, according to Gernot Libentritt, EvoTec’s managing director, cost-effective manufacturing is essential to meet the strong trend toward cost reduction.
While watching costs, innovation is also fundamental and EvoTec strives for design perfection by working closely with customers and listening to their needs.

‘We make caps for any type of closure, from personal care products and food closures to bottles, among other things, and features include soft-touch finishes and easy-to-hold ergonomics that differentiate packs on shelf,’ Gernot explains.
Another area of EvoTec’s specialisation is the supply of aerosol nozzle technology on par with international standards. These are supplied to mass market and offer a pure, clean spray.

Quality is tightly monitored and last year the company achieved its ISO 9001 accreditation. ‘We have strict in-house quality controls and pride ourselves not only on quality, but on-time delivery to our customers,’ continues Gernot. Testament to this is EvoTec receiving an Innovation Award at Indigo Cosmetic’s Supplier of the Year Awards, 2010.

Innovation, customer focus and ‘driven by the pursuit of excellence’ are how Gernot explains EvoTec’s philosophy. ‘We are able to deliver on time and in line with our customer’s expectations,’ notes Gernot. The key, Gernot believes, to his company’s philosophy is working in collaboration with customers to constantly innovate and develop solutions that ensure a competitive advantage.

EvoTec Plastics
T + 27 021 5516548