Amcor has launched LiquiForm, which uses the consumable liquid instead of compressed air to hydraulically form and fill the container on one machine simultaneously.
By combining the forming and filling processes into one step, the system simplifies the manufacture of rigid plastic containers for a wide range of consumer products.
In 2006, the company developed the LiquiForm concept and subsequently set up a joint venture (JV) that owns the patented LiquiForm technology and related intellectual property.
The JV has signed agreements with bottling machinery manufacturer Sidel, Yoshino Kogyosho Co, Japan’s plastic bottle manufacturer, and Nestle Waters.
Amcor and Sidel each own a 50% interest in the JV.
For consumer product manufacturers, this breakthrough is expected to reduce capital costs and improve operating efficiency and product quality.
Amcor says LiquiForm delivers a reduction in operating costs of up to 25%, reduced manufacturing risk and greater flexibility in container design.
The JV will issue licences allowing machine manufacturers to produce and sell equipment using the LiquiForm technology.
Global demand for new blow molding and filling machines for which the solution would be suitable is estimated to be approximately 800 machines per annum.
The JV will target a significant portion of that annual demand for conversion to the technology, and the first full scale operation is expected to be commercialized in two to three years.
