US-based injection machine supplier Kortec has developed a manufacturing cell for producing multi-layer thin wall food containers.

The system can produce parts at a rate higher than 200 million parts annually at a cycle time of 7.5 seconds. The 2 x 32 mold runs on a Husky Hylectric 800-ton injection molding machine and a StackTeck 64-cavity stack cold half tooling, having layers of polypropylene and a barrier layer of EVOH.

The containers can be used for beverages such as natural fruit juices, tea, carbonated soft drinks, and beer in addition to hot-filled foods.

In 2009, Kortec introduced the technology for multilayer food containers for the first time and the demand for such containers has risen since then, prompting the firm to develop multilayer containers of different styles and shapes.

Kortec vice president sales and marketing Russell Bennett said the project called for working with a break-through technology, without describing the container in detail.

"This is a very high productivity system for multilayer packaging and the stack molding system offers a cost effective solution to converters and Brand Owners with high annual volume requirements," Bunnett added.