By Bill Bregar
SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
Published: May 21, 2014 10:43 am ET
Updated: May 21, 2014 10:49 am ET
Image By: Kortec Inc.
Food processors can run Kortec Inc.'s multi-layer Klear plastic can on the same equipment as metal cans.
Metal food cans may have met their match: the see-through plastic Klear Can from Kortec Inc. And the plastic can run on metal-can filling equipment.
Kortec introduced the multi-layer can made by coinjection molding at Interpack 2014, held May 8-14 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Kortec, in Rowley, Mass., is owned by Milacron LLC. The can has a three-layer construction of polypropylene inner and outer layers, and an EVOH barrier.
Klear Can gives brand owners a see-through polypropylene container, and an extended shelf life of up to five years. Kortec officials said it’s an alternative to metal cans for fruits, vegetables, soups, meats and other food.
Klear Can is suitable for retort packaging of up to 265 degrees F. The cans also have been tested and approved for the integrity of the double seam, which was designed to allow the can’s flange to accept traditional metal can lids, both easy-open and regular lids that need a can opener. The metal can ends are sealed to the plastic can-and Kortec said the Klear Can is designed so existing metal can-filling plants can easily shift to the plastic cans, with no need for new downstream equipment.
“These plastic cans use the same steel or aluminum can ends, same filling equipment, same seaming equipment and the same retorting and cooling equipment,” said Russell Bennett, Kortec’s vice president of sales and marketing. “For the canner and the brand owner, there is no need for significant modifications over what happens today [at Interpack]. We see this as a major advantage.” | 
