Food-Grade PET Preform Production Technology

As we all know, food packaging has very high hygiene and safety requirements, especially for food-grade PET preforms. The application of aseptic technology and related certification have become key links in ensuring quality.

Aseptic Technology

Intelligent Raw Material Monitoring System

Traditional raw material processing methods can no longer meet today's high standards of aseptic production. Today, advanced food-grade PET preform manufacturers have introduced intelligent raw material monitoring systems. The system can not only monitor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and oxygen content in the raw material warehouse in real time, but can also trace the source of each batch of PET raw materials. By implanting RFID chips in raw material packaging bags, production information, transportation trajectory, and storage status of raw materials can be recorded. Once a batch of raw materials is detected as potentially at risk of contamination, the system can quickly locate and isolate the problematic raw materials to prevent them from entering the production process. At the same time, during the raw material drying process, the intelligent system can dynamically adjust the drying time and temperature according to the real-time moisture content of the raw materials to ensure the accuracy of the drying effect and further improve the sterility of the raw materials.

Sterile Handling of Equipment and Molds

PET preform production equipment and molds must be strictly cleaned and disinfected before, during, and after use. Before production, use high-temperature steam or chemical disinfectants to thoroughly disinfect the surface of the equipment, the barrel, the mold, etc., to kill any microorganisms that may exist. During the production process, the equipment is periodically cleaned and dried to prevent raw material residue from breeding bacteria. As this is the part that comes into direct contact with the product, mold cleaning and disinfection is even more critical. After each production run, the mold must be disassembled and cleaned. Ultrasonic cleaning, high-pressure water gun washing, and other methods are used to remove residual plastic and dirt. It is then disinfected with a special disinfectant to ensure the mold surface is sterile.

Aseptic Optimization of Production Processes

A series of aseptic measures are also required during the injection molding and cooling stages. During the injection molding process, temperature and pressure parameters are optimized to ensure the PET raw material completely melts and evenly fills the mold, avoiding incomplete solidification of the raw material due to low local temperature or insufficient pressure, which would create a breeding ground for microorganisms. The cooling system uses sterile circulating water or heat transfer oil to prevent microorganisms from contaminating the preforms during the cooling process. At the same time, it shortens the time the preform remains on the production line, reduces the possibility of contact with the external environment, and reduces the risk of contamination.

Certification Standard Update and Exploration

Main Certification Standards

Internationally, common certification standards for food-grade PET preforms include U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certification, EU Food Contact Materials Regulation (EC) certification, and China's national standards for food-related products (GB 4806 series). FDA certification has strict regulations on heavy metal content, additive use, and migration rates in PET materials; European Union (EC) certification focuses on material safety assessment and traceability; China's GB 4806 series of standards covers physical, chemical, microbiological, and other testing requirements to ensure products comply with national food safety regulations.

Dynamic Monitoring After Certification

Certification is not a one-time process, but a process of continuous improvement. Today, certification bodies have strengthened their dynamic supervision of companies after certification. Through regular visits and unannounced inspections, we track and evaluate the company's production process and product quality. At the same time, a product quality traceability platform will be established using big data and blockchain technology. By scanning the QR code on the bottle embryo, consumers can obtain information about product production, certification status, quality inspection reports, and other information. Once quality issues are discovered in a product, the certification body can quickly trace the origin of production, make corresponding corrections, and impose sanctions on the company, ensuring the authority and effectiveness of certification and maintaining market order and consumer rights.

The production of food-grade PET preforms is a dual challenge: a "microbial war" and a "compliance marathon." Only by keeping up with industry development trends and constantly improving our own standards through technological innovation can our company gain an invincible advantage over our competitors.