This article takes a look at recent developments in small-packing technology. From bottle washing to fillers, inspection, labelling, conveyors, palletisation, packers & unpackers, pasteurisers, sterile filling, secondary packaging & tertiary packaging. In the UK & elsewhere, there is a general move further away from large, towards small-pack as we go to the pub less often & overall, the industry is in decline. In the developing world & S America, however, sales are expanding exponentially. As far as bottling is concerned, most packaging within the UK is still into non-returnable bottles (NRB) although in other parts of Europe & further afield, global environmental pressures are creating new markets for returnable bottles (RBs), the justifications being increasing pressures on energy savings & waste recycling & hence, less secondary & tertiary packaging. Ever- increasing aesthetic appeal, brought about by intense inter-brand competition, notably on supermarket shelves, is making units for sale more attractive as well as informative, hence packages are more colourful. Beer is packaged in an ever increasing variety of boxes, trays etc, in multiples that are perceived to suit the consumer, which does not necessarily restrict to 6s, 12s & 24s, all of which is aimed at creating greater appeal & hence, increased sales.
