Pretium Packaging’s SureHandle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container with an integrated handle has passed high-pressure processing (HPP) tests.

The testing was facilitated by The Packaging School at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Pretium says that its SureHandle bottle was subjected to compression, drop and tensile testing to ensure that it could meet the rigorous demands of distribution.

As HPP does not rely on heat for pasteurization, this validation can open new doors for products that are used in a relatively new cold processing pasteurization to go to market in an equally new container which can protect their nutritional and flavour profile.

Another benefit of this bottle is that the cold processing can enable the use of less expensive, linerless plug-seal style closures.

Presently, the stock SureHandle bottle is available in 64oz, 38-400 mm finish. The disruptive commercialization can now give brand owners significant shelf differentiation along with handling convenience and aesthetics that were not available previously.

HPP is a cold pasteurization technique which introduces filled and sealed packages into vessel and subjects them to high water pressure. The high pressure at ambient temperature is claimed to inhibit bacteria, virus, mold, yeast, etc., making food products safe, with extended shelf life. As heat is not involved, organoleptic and nutritional attributes of the product are not altered.

SureHandle containers are claimed to create multiple marketing opportunities for brand owners who seek to appeal to a wider audience. The containers are easy to handle for both younger children and older adults and those with physical challenges, compared to pinch grip or straight-sided alternatives. The handle not only provides carrying advantages, but also improved pouring control.

Pretium food and specialty market marketing manager Barry Sak said: “With independent testing now validating the suitability of our SureHandle container for HPP processing, we look forward to expanding commercialization discussions.

“Although there are many products suitable for HPP processing, we feel that SureHandle is a particularly good alternative for fresh juices whose brand owners don’t want to go to a more capital-intensive heatset bottle.”

Image: Pretium Packaging’s new SureHandle PET bottle completes HPP testing. Photo: Courtesy of Pretium Packaging.