Soft drinks in PET bottles are bundled per 4 to 8 bottles for very different reasons. Today's consumers expect ecological bundle packaging at no extra cost.

​

In this context, KU Leuven has developed bundle packaging based on corrugated cardboard from recycled paper. This packaging clamps the PET bottles together, making them behave as one block. It offers ample space for printing and is suitable for bottles of 0.1 to 2 litres.

Transport tests show that the palletised bundles are very dimensionally stable and that interlayer sheets are unnecessary.

​

In addition to the packaging itself, a concept for the accompanying packaging machine has also been developed for capacities up to more than 80,000 bottles/hour.

Finally, an LCA and a cost price analysis were carried out for some concrete cases. Its results meet the requirements of today's consumers.