Plastic Closure Ovality: A Global Standardisation Initiative

By Cetie
The 18/11/2024
For several years, two major players in the PET and plastic packaging sectors based in Europe and the United States have been working together to establish unified guidelines and standards. This collaboration is demonstrated through the joint publication of technical documents between Cetie (International Technical Centre for Bottling), based in Paris, France, and ISBT (International Society of Beverage Technologists), headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, US.
Cetie, a French non-profit association, represents over 130 member companies through its PET and glass packaging working groups, offering an international perspective and promoting standardisation within the industry. With more than 5,000 users across 120 countries, Cetie documents provide essential information and guidelines for sectors such as beverage and food packaging, cosmetics and perfumery, as well as pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, ISBT brings together global experts from the beverage industry, focusing on developing voluntary guidelines and technical specifications for packaging manufacturers and users.

This collaboration enhances consistency and quality in packaging solutions.

One significant outcome of this partnership is the revised Cetie FS23.00 – Plastic Closure Ovality Guidelines technical sheet, initially published in 2019 under the leadership of Alessandro Falzoni (SACMI) as chair of the “Plastic Cap Ovality” group. This document established standardised practices for measuring and managing closure ovality, providing essential guidelines to quantify closure ovality and address potential distortions during the capping process. The document was further updated in 2022 to include guidelines specific to sports closures, expanding its applicability.
In 2023, following a request from Gary Arthur of Bericap Canada and ISBT member, a revision of FS23.00 was initiated to address the limitations of the current fixed value for U3 (closure body diameter) tolerance. The previous version set U3 tolerance at a fixed 1 mm, which does not account for natural ovality across various closure sizes. Arthur’s proposal introduced the concept of defining U3 tolerance as a percentage (5%) of the nominal closure diameter. This percentage-based tolerance allows for greater flexibility and aligns better with the real-world behaviour of closures, particularly lightweight designs that are more susceptible to ovality during handling and transportation.
This adjustment harmonises the approach to measuring U1 and U3 by expressing both as percentage-based tolerances, establishing a more consistent and practical standard for manufacturers. By aligning with real-world conditions, the updated FS23.00 strengthens compatibility between closures and capping equipment on a global scale, supporting efficient operation and quality control across diverse markets.
Today, the latest version of the FS23.00 technical sheet, Revision II, has been published. This revision includes updated U3 tolerance definitions, setting it at 5%, and incorporates additional specifications to meet the evolving needs of the industry. These adjustments mark a crucial step towards global alignment between Cetie and ISBT, contributing to greater coherence and operational efficiency within the plastic closure sector. By establishing a clear and adaptable common standard, these guidelines foster improved quality control and consistency across the markets.

Understanding Cetie’s "FS" Technical Sheets
Cetie’s "FS" technical sheets are essential resources for bottlers, container manufacturers, and capping operators, providing fundamental information and technical recommendations for each stage of the bottling process. These documents cover key details, from definitions and calculation methods to certification and safety principles, complementing quality standards and promoting a common technical language among industry stakeholders. Cetie currently offers a comprehensive library of 259 documents, including technical sheets and guides, available free of charge upon request.

About ISBT
The International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) is the only global organisation dedicated to the scientific and technical aspects of the beverage industry. Its members include professionals involved in beverage science, technology, and production, as well as technical experts from related sectors such as packaging, flavouring, ingredients, and equipment supply. A key benefit of ISBT membership is exclusive access to a vast collection of guidelines, best practices, and white papers, available at no additional cost to members through the ISBT website.
https://www.isbt.com/
 
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