Arkema’s Kercoat® protective technology, together with Opticoat® masking coating, provide optimum performance to a returnable bottle fleet by significantly increasing the lifetime and enhancing the appearance to fulfil customers’ expectations.
The BRAU 2012 trade fair, which took place in Nüremberg 13-15 November 2012, was the ideal opportunity for Arkema, a global leader in returnable glass container coating technology, to communicate with the beer filling industry on its know-how in the field of returnable glass bottle protection. Arkema’s Kercoat® protective technology, together with the Opticoat® masking coating, provide optimum performance to a returnable bottle fleet by significantly increasing the lifetime and enhancing the appearance to fulfil customers’ expectations.
Arkema’s Kercoat® and Opticoat® solutions are used as protective coatings in filling plants to significantly delay and mask scuffing build-up. Designed to fulfil individual requirements, these solutions come as turnkey installations including technical service, and cost savings in maintaining a returnable glass bottle fleet.
“Extending the lifetime of returnable glass bottles has always been a major concern in the beer filling industry. Moreover, the landscape has now changed. The appearance of bottles has become increasingly strategic for fillers due to changing trends in consumer demand. As complementary tools, our Kercoat® and Opticoat® sustainable solutions meet the requirements of this increasingly exacting market,” explains Marc Maggiani, Business Director, in charge of the Global Returnables Business for Arkema.
Kercoat® is a protective coating that significantly delays the appearance of scuffing and maintains the burst pressure strength of returnable glass bottles. It further improves production flow, reduces noise levels, and enhances the efficiency of filling plant operations. Kercoat® supports the overall trend of lighter returnable bottles that results in additional capital savings for breweries and filling plants.
For scuffed bottles, Arkema provides a unique masking coating technology called Opticoat® that helps recover lost marketing value. This coating for returnable bottles forms a thin masking layer that restores glass appearance and feel. Opticoat® can be applied on dry, wet, warm or cold bottles, is resistant to humidity, and is environmentally sound. With its masking effect, Opticoat® can dramatically extend the service life of returnable bottles.
With operations in more than 40 countries, some 14,000 employees and 10 research centers, Arkema expects to generate annual revenue of approximately EUR 6.5 billion, and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands.