Food polycarbonate (Polycarbonate, PC)* is a raw material to produce Polyflex™ bottles. It is a neutral ecologically safe polymer, which can be reused. It was developed nearly 50 years ago. So far hundreds of polymers have been discovered throughout the world, however a polycarbonate is a compound which has no equals in terms of priority characteristics for drinking water producers. High bearing capacity (about 250kg/m2) allows to easily bear water pressure inside and provides for storage and transportation of the water bottles with no damage. Low inflammability allows to use standard fire safety measures for premises to store polycarbonate bottles.
To produce a lid we use a high pressure food polyethylene of Belarusian brands, model 158. As a mandatory lid element we use a food foam polyethylene gasket.
* Polycarbonate as a polymeric compound was discovered in 1953. Owing to independent research carried out by Dr. H. Schnell (Bayer AG, Germany) and D.W. Fox (General Electric Company, USA) the polycarbonate has come into commercial use in electronics and building, being produced by the both companies since 1960. Since 1982 CD, CD-ROM technologies and now DVD have been based on polycarbonate. And since 70’s this polymer entered food industry as a raw for bottles, gradually substituting glass containers and more competing with a second in quality PET. The first PC-bottle was manufactured in 1972 in the USA and since then it has been gaining popularity throughout the world. At present polycarbonate is also widely used in motor-car construction both in US and Europe.
Polycarbonate-making process is rather complex and expensive that is why few companies have endeavoured to start an industrial production of this polymer. At present there are no polycarbonate manufacturers in CIS, all raw is being imported and corresponds to all ecological and other standards of European Union.
In Polyflex™ bottles production we use food polycarbonate of leading manufacturers, which are General Electric company (Lexan™ trade mark) and Bayer (Macrolon™ trade mark).
What are the advantages of polycarbone package?
In the first place, it is a high mechanical damage stability. Polycarbonate is frost-resisting and shockproof, which provides for a Polyflex™ bottle to be reused. Shockproof of polycarbonate is 100 times higher than that of glass. On average a polycarbone bottle can be used not less than 50 times.
Secondly, it is a high heat resistance. Polycarbonate has a fusion temperature of 240°Ñ and in the process of sterilization a high water temperature (up to 90°Ñ) can be used, which greatly contributes to the effectiveness of the process. At the same time polycarbonate holds the shape and internal structure. For comparison PET-bottles heat resistance is 40°Ñ, while according to sanitary regulations water with the temperature of no less than 60°Ñ should be used. Heat resistance factor of polycarbonate is 0,36-0.57m2C/watt, which allows high-quality drinking water storage regardless of either sunrays effect or thermal radiation of domestic plants.
Thirdly, it is a chemical neutrality. A Polyflex™ bottle can preserve a given flavor much longer than PET-bottles owing to the fact that polycarbonate does not interact with water. Even in a high temperature environment it delivers to the water neither its chemical elements nor strange flavor and scent.
In the fourth place, it is a low gas penetration. Owing to this feature of polycarbonate as well as to its chemical neutrality a Polyflex™ bottle can store drinking water during 6 months guaranteeing original flavor and scent.
In the fifth place comes a visual appeal. A polycarbone bottle is gauzy and light. At this it is possible to make the bottle of any shape and primary color.
In the view of ecology it is important that polycarbonate can be reused without quality losses and its production is harmless for the environment.
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