Rigid plastic packaging company RPC has provided a new Thermic Ultra retortable barrier jar to Spain-based olive supplier Aceitunas del Guadalquivir, in Moron de la Frontera, Seville.
The RPC Containers Corby, the 3.8 liter American gallon, has been expressly developed to meet the needs of the olive industry.
The Thermic Ultra provides a pack format that is safe and easy to handle with long shelf life. It has the ability to withstand the rigors of high temperature filling processes, including hot fill, pasteurization and sterilization to 122°C, said the company.
The polypropylene jar weighs 160g compared to around 1.7kg for the conventional glass format.
The advantages include ease of handling and the elimination of breakages, which are crucial during filling and distribution and especially in busy foodservice environments, and the light weight jars' can reduce transport costs, thereby reducing companies' carbon reduction targets.
The six-layer structure incorporates EVOH to shield agianst oxygen ingress which gives the olives a shelf life of over a year.
As the jars ape the shape of a glass jar, they can run on existing filling lines with only a modification required for the capping equipment.
The 100mm closure features a barrier induction heat sealed foil and is available from RPC Halstead.
"The 3.8l Thermic Ultra jar is just what we have been waiting for, combining vital safety and convenience benefits with the required size and shelf life," comments Ismael Escobar, R&D Manager, Aceitunas del Guadalquivir. "We have also been delighted with the high levels of service from RPC."
