Repeated wash cycles weaken your returnable glass bottles.
Learn how using a bottlewasher additive can reduce corrosion by 50%.
During the washing cycle, returnable glass bottles are exposed to high temperatures and harsh chemicals, which can contribute to glass corrosion. As the glass gradually weakens due to ‘etching’, it becomes more susceptible to ‘scuffing’ during the filing process and in transit. Read below how you can reduce glass corrosion by 50% with Diversey's next-generation bottle washer additive DivoBrite Defend. In a free expert meeting, we evaluate your individual challenges and provide insights into brand protection and cost savings.
Why repeated washing cycles increase etchings on your bottles
Routine exposure of up to 20 minutes in hot caustic and other harsh chemicals at temperatures between 70 and 85° Celsius to effectively clean and disinfect the bottles inevitably contributes to glass degeneration.
Caustic soda, phosphates, EDTA and other compounds used in the formulations of some bottle washer additives cause “etching” of the glass bottles during bottle washing. This means that some elements like Calcium are removed from the glass structure, making the bottle surface softer and more susceptible to “scuffing”. Scuffing is caused by the washed bottles rubbing against each other, mainly on the shoulder and towards the base, forming well-visible white stripes on these parts of the bottles.
The more you use and wash the bottles, the more you deteriorate their appearance. Accepting scuffed bottles can result in brand damage and loss of revenue as looming risk, which has been a drawback of returnable systems.
Keep reading about how you can improve the visual quality of your returnable glass bottles significantly and reduce glass corrosion by 50%. Or you can just get in contact with us right here.
Why is it essential to extend the life of your bottle fleet?
A Returnable Glass Bottle (RGB) fleet can be one of the largest capital investments of beverage companies. Extracting the maximum returns from this investment and maintaining a competitive market share depends on the bottles reaching the highest number of trips possible while maintaining an acceptable appearance.
When bottles reach an etching degradation threshold, they are removed from the fleet and sent for cullet, typically after the bottle has taken 20 trips to and from the market but varies a lot from one region to another. By protecting the glass against the various forces that it encounters throughout its lifespan, you can slow down and camouflage the degradation process and prolong a positive appearance.
Diversey's bottlewashing additive DivoBrite Defend has been specifically developed to deliver superior cleaning power whilst protecting glass. As a result, the number of trips can be increased by up to - and in some cases exceed - 50 cycles.
How can you reduce glass corrosion by 50%?
A well-managed bottle washer enhances brand protection by delivering first-rate sanitation standards at high-efficiency levels. Adding an appropriate bottlewasher additive can improve the cleaning result without increasing the concentration of harmful chemicals, natural resources or retention time in the caustic zone.
DivoBrite Defend provides effective cleaning and glass protection which minimises glass scuffing, helping to reduce the EBI (empty bottle inspector) rejection rate and, ultimately, preventing the premature culling of bottles. The sustainable additive is dispensed through conventional dosing equipment and delivers high-performance cleaning, build-up prevention and effective scale, mould and larvae removal, all at a lower consumption rate. So, you can avoid over-utilization leading to wasted resources and unnecessary costs.
Comparison studies (below) of DivoBrite Defend versus existing additive solutions (both single and multi-product solutions) clearly show the potential increase in cycle lifespan that your bottle fleet could achieve.
Antiscuff simulation test: Shoulder/top scuff
Antiscuff simulation test: Base/bottom scuff
Do you want to know more and talk to us directly? Please arrange a free expert call with us here.
If DivoBrite Defend sounds interesting to you, these would be the first steps to take to improve the performance of your bottlewasher and RGB fleet:
Our sector specialists will review your current operations, take some benchmark measurements, and produce a migration plan that considers multiple factors, including water discharge and environmental footprint.
We monitor the dosing of washing additives during the initial setup and optimise to achieve the optimum level of protection for your bottle fleet. Further information on Divobrite Defend can be found here.
Get in touch for a free expert consultation with no obligation. We will describe:
- Potential benefits your company will receive from switching to DivoBrite Defend
- How to get the most out of best practice approaches
- What your journey might typically look like if you decide to work with us
- Why we are the perfect partner for your challenge
