In-line operation at Pepsi/Gatorade plant is to produce 650 million bottles a year.

Amcor Rigid Plastics(www.amcor.com) held a grand opening for its new on-site bottle manufacturing operation at PepsiCo’s Gatorade production facility in Mountain Top, PA. The new in-line operation is expected to produce approximately 650 million hot fillable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles annually.

“We’re excited about establishing this on-site operation because it expands our relationship with PepsiCo and gives us an opportunity to better serve a key strategic customer,” says Larry Weber, vice president and general manager of Amcor Rigid Plastics’ North American Beverage Group. Previously, the Mountain Top Gatorade facility had purchased hot fill PET containers from merchant suppliers.

On-site bottle manufacturing is a highly efficient and sustainable business model for beverage makers, according to Weber. Beverage companies like PepsiCo can gain major sustainability benefits and eliminate expenses associated with shipping, including unnecessary handling, secondary packaging, and freight costs. Amcor has strong expertise in running on-site manufacturing operations with seven similar hot fill facilities located at beverage filling plants throughout the U.S.

Amcor received strong backing and financial support from state and local agencies including approximately $100,000 in grants for site development and employee training.