Over time returnable bottles slowly degrade in appearance, reducing the optical appeal for consumers and ultimately could impact market positioning for a brand.
The anti-scuff coating, developed by Arkema in collaboration with Spraying Systems Co., aims to reduce the degradation in quality and extend the number of cycles bottles can be used.
SABMiller first used the Tegoglas 3000+ Spray Application Technologies coating in South Africa before deciding to roll out its application worldwide.
SABMiller owns South African Breweries, the dominant beer producer in the region.
Under the agreement with SABMiller, Arkema will supply the brewer with glass coating products and technology designed to protect and improve the appearance of their vast stock of reusable bottles.
Bottles get scuffed by the bottle-to-bottle contact during the filling process.
With the increasing number of bottle cycles, the pool quality starts to decrease significantly.
In announcing the agreement Arkema said an internal market survey indicates that bottles degrade enough after 10-15 refill cycles so that they no longer fulfil the requirements of a premium beer.
This scuffing can be delayed by applying the protective coating in the filling plant, claimed Arkema.
The company along with Spraying Systems is now offering the services and technology to reduce the cost of maintaining a returnable glass bottle fleet.
"These solutions come as turnkey installations, specifically designed to fulfill individual requirements," the companies stated.
Tegoglas 3000+ is being marketed as an anti-scuff coating that delays the appearance of scuffing and protects the strength of a returnable glass bottle, therefore extending the cycles it can go through.
The company estimates scuffing can be reduced by about 50 per cent.
The coating can also further improve production flow, reduce noise level in plants and improve the efficiency of filling plant operations, Arkema claimed.