Alpha Packaging has expanded its line of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) personal care packaging with the introduction of four new styles of bottles and jars. Three of the styles (the Firenze square jar, the Palermo oval jar and the Barolo cylinder) were previewed at the HBA Expo in September, and the Venetian jar was introduced at SupplySide West in November. The new PET additions are designed to give personal care packagers a variety of new options.

Alpha’s in-house capabilities for making unit cavity molds and production tooling delivers a rapid package development cycle, allowing customers to launch entirely new packaging in about one-third the time most other manufacturers take. For these four new styles, Alpha’s design and engineering process eliminated obstacles in the unit cavity testing stage and reduced the time required to build the final production tooling.

Alpha’s new line of square Firenze jars features art deco-inspired beveled corners and a low profile for a sophisticated look on retail shelves. Firenze jars will be available in 125ml, 188ml and 250ml sizes with a 70-400 neck finish, and a 500ml jar with an 89-400 neck finish. The new jars are ideal for a variety of personal care products, including creams, ointments, pastes and dry products such as powders, crystals and bath salts. Several companies are also looking at these jars for large tablets and gelcaps. Samples of these four jars are currently available, and production tooling for all sizes will be completed in early 2006.

The new Palermo jars feature an elegant oval shape that stands out against traditional round jars, and also fits more conveniently in consumers’ medicine cabinets. Palermo jars will debut in 6-ounce and 8-ounce sizes, both with 70-400 neck finishes. Samples of these two jars are currently available, and production tooling will be completed in early 2006.

Alpha’s PET Barolo cylinder is a 250ml bottle with a 24-410 neck finish featuring a gentle convex profile. When topped with a 2-inch wide disc-top dispensing closure, the bottle can stand on either its base or its head. Samples are currently available and production tooling will be completed in January 2006.

Alpha’s new PET Venetian jars are one of the newest styles created by package designer Terry Allen. They feature a 70-400 neck that tapers in a heart-shaped fashion to a unique oval base. Venetian jars samples are available in the188ml and 250ml sizes. Production tooling for both sizes will be completed in early 2006.

Alpha will stock the new products in clear and cobalt blue. Alpha’s standard PET colors of dark green, cobalt blue, light amber, clear and white will be available with no minimum order requirement. Samples of the proven styles are available for ordering by visiting Alpha’s product catalog online at www.alphap.com.

With Alpha Packaging’s limitless color matching for PET, customers can match the color of their new jars or bottles to existing packaging lines for brand appeal. Custom colors are available within four to six weeks of the order date and require relatively small minimum orders.

Alpha is working to better serve the needs of its customers by introducing “families” of bottles and jars, a concept that offers multiple sizes of each style of packaging in the most popular sizes. In addition, Alpha will gladly work with companies to develop additional sizes using Alpha’s extensive library of preforms.

Alpha Packaging is a leading manufacturer of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and PET bottles and jars for the nutritional, pharmaceutical, personal care and niche food and beverage markets. For additional information, visit www.alphap.com.