Framptons invests £1m in PET bottling line

Ben Bold, packagingnews.co.uk, 07 October 2009

 

Contract packer Framptons is installing a new bottling line to process PET bottles at its facility in Shepton Mallet in Somerset.

 

Managing director Ian Harvey told Packaging News that the company had invested £1m in the new line, which should be fully operational by the end of the month.

 

Framptons, which specialises in processing liquid foods and drinks into a range of gable-top, aseptic cartons and bag-in-box packaging, has received interest from customers looking to use the line, with one having committed large volumes.

 

The Federal ultra-clean PET bottling line is designed to fill a range of bottles, ranging from 200ml to 1,250ml and is targeted at the chilled dairy and juice-based drinks markets.

 

It can accommodate a variety of cap systems and closures and gives customers the option of shrink-sleeve, wrap-around plastic and self-adhesive paper labelling. The line can run between speeds of 220 bottles per minute for 200ml bottles and 110 bottles per minute for 1,250ml bottles.

 

The end of the line offers the option of tray and shrink-wrapping, with a multi-pack option.

 

The line is being installed at Framptons' 1,858sqm building, which the company recently started renting and which is sited alongside its existing filling hall for ESL and ambient carton packaging.

 

The Federal filler is the first to be installed in the new building, which has capacity for another two to three lines. While there are no plans at the moment to install more, Harvey said that new lines would be installed in the future to meet growing customer demand.