A MAJOR investment by a pioneering Oldham company has led to a revolutionary breakthrough in stylish consumer packaging.
Injection moulding specialist Patterson and Rothwell, run by Saddleworth-based founder Alan Rothwell, has developed a method for manufacturing “the thinnest wall PET on the market.”
With a wall thickness of 0.8mm to 1mm – up to 0.4mm thinner than before – the recyclable pots meet a need for elegant packaging in the premium dessert sector.
The pots are available in a range of shapes and sizes for yogurts, mousses and other puddings.
They are the result of a £500,000 investment into new specialist tooling and significant research and development by the ground-breaking company.
Dave Bowden, Patterson and Rothwell’s sales and marketing manager, said: “We developed the new PET packaging in response to the food industry.
“They are wanting a move from general purpose polystyrene, which can crack easily, to more hard-wearing and widely recyclable dessert packaging.
“Major retailers have already expressed interest in the product and we’re anticipating many more will follow suit.
“The pots are ideal for premium brands wanting an eco-friendly, yet aesthetically pleasing design.”
PET is the most commonly used material for plastic food and drink packaging because of its green credentials and is used globally to produce cola and lemonade bottles.
Until now they have never been used in dessert pots via injection moulding process because industry experts said it was not possible to fill thin wall sections.
But Mr Bowden said proudly: “The strong ethos at P&R passed down from founder Alan Rothwell is to push boundaries, not to accept other people’s failure as a reason not to pursue.
“The end benefit is producing a kinder, recyclable material to the environment and a more robust product for consumers.”
The challenge included material and machine suppliers in addition to customer Aegg Creative Packaging and P&R’s 34-year tooling and injection moulding experience.
Mr Bowden added: “The company’s pioneering spirit and ‘can do’ attitude has seen us through three recessions and led to its growth and prosperity.
“We look forward to our next challenge – our move to Royton and involvement in its community and people.”
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