Fi-Cell (fine cellular) foamed PET bottle technology is available to processors in the United States through Plastic Technologies Inc., Holland, Ohio.
The technology produces monolayer bottles with smooth inner and outer wall surfaces. PTI officials said that other foamed bottle technologies require an over-molded bottle for the same result. The technology has implications for carbonated beverages where rough inner wall surfaces create a mechanical action for the liquid.
The process produces a metallic finish without using metallic colorants.
This Fi-Cell development is the first technology transfer announcement since PTI and Toyo Seikan Co. Ltd., Tokyo, joined forces for a representation agreement. PTI, which does preform and package design, package development, prototyping and material evaluations for the plastic packaging industry, is the exclusive U.S. agent for sales and licensing of Toyo technologies.
Toyo already has commercialized the technology in Japan for a line of coffee drinks.
