Berry launches large PCR container for hazardous goods packaging

        Berry International’s technology and manufacturing capabilities have achieved a major breakthrough in the packaging of liquid hazardous goods. The company has now launched the first 20-liter and 25-liter PCR containers containing 35% recycled content, which are approved by the United Nations for the transportation of five of the six UN hazardous goods types of liquids.

        In addition to the existing UN approvals, the new PCR containers are also approved for the packaging of wetting fluids, acetic acid, solvent naphtha and n-butyl acetate.

        The new containers will join the popular Optimum range of containers, further supporting the company’s sustainability goals and meeting consumer demand for more sustainable packaging solutions. It will also help companies comply with upcoming regulations requiring packaging to contain a minimum amount of recycled content.

        The inclusion of 35% recycled HDPE (r-HDPE) in the Optimum container presented technical challenges in obtaining UN certification for the product. Materials, when processed uniformly, will produce different results due to their composition, but the certification requires stability and repeatability in the production process to ensure quality and consistency in the finished container. To ensure this, Berry sources its r-HDPE from controlled sources, focusing on post-industrial packaging such as IBCs, drums and HDPE cans. This minimizes material variation. In addition, the containers are kept low weight, both to reduce the amount of material required for production and to maximize ease of handling for the end user.

         “We believe these new PCR containers have one of the highest UN-certified recycled content content on the market today,” commented Rudolph Pfeiffer, General Manager of BMS International at Berry. “We are pleased to be able to provide our customers with challenging product packaging solutions that support their sustainability commitments without compromising quality or performance.”

        The new Optimum container features DIN61 and ASTM63 standard bottle necks, is suitable for a range of standard and sealed devices, and comes in a variety of colors. The top and base of the container interlock for safe and easy stacking. The PCR container is currently available for applications in chemicals, hazardous materials, agriculture and gardening, car care and pool care. Berry said that more container sizes are currently in development.