November 2014 – CTL Ti-PET bottles show improved oxygen barrier properties

Three bottles each made from PET chip produced using the 2R-MTR PET pilot unit reactor at Uhde Inventa Fischer have been tested for oxygen transmission rate. The analysis, carried out in accordance with ASTM F1307-14 in the independent laboratory of Intertek Wilton, UK compared the oxygen transmission rate through the bottle walls for high IV PET bottles produced with different catalysts.

The bottles analysed in duplicate were produced using:

A) 250 ppm Sb (from antimony glycolate)
B) 150 ppm Sb, 5 ppm Ti
C) 10 ppm Ti (from CTL’s Ti638 UP catalyst)

Both bottle type B and type C showed a significant reduction in oxygen transmission rate when compared to an antimony PET reference. Almost 20% less oxygen was transmitted through the bottle walls for the titanium catalysed PET bottles compared to that of standard antimony bottles.

This interesting and industrially significant result links directly to the degree of stretch induced crystallinity analysis results of the bottles that show the side walls of Ti-PET bottles to be significantly more crystalline than a comparative Sb-PET bottle. This is a direct result of the very low particulate level contained in Ti-PET bottles (ca. 10 ppm Ti compared to ca. 250 ppm Sb).

Low oxygen transmission rate through the side walls of bottles is vital for preserving food and extending shelf life of beverages, especially carbonated drinks and even beers. This effect can only be achieved using CTL’s Ti638 UP catalyst technology for high thermo-oxidative stability Ti-PET.