Until now, the effect of packaging on the quality of beverages could only be assessed in time-consuming tests taking several months. The P.E.T. Proof® quick test procedure from WILD accelerates the affect of oxygen on beverages in plastic containers, producing a reliable result in less than three weeks. Patents on the new procedure have been filed in Europe, Japan, and the USA.

In the alcohol-free beverage market, the trend is lightweight, unbreakable containers made of PET. One of PET's best-known characteristics is its gas permeability. Ambient oxygen that permeates the container is critical, because along with temperature and light, oxygen is a major contributor to the aging of foods. PET Proof® from WILD closes the gap in existing test procedures that determine the stability and shelf-life of beverages in plastic containers.

In the beverage industry, the pressure to innovate continues to increase while product life cycles requirements continue to shorten. Innovative drinks often contain a number of ingredients, requiring safe and fast methods for testing sensory, chemical and physical stability. The traditional real-time durability and stability tests – which can take as long as the product's minimum shelf-life – no longer meet the demands of the market in spite of their reliability.

Until now, there were no alternative test procedures to study the effect of gas permeability of PET containers on aging of products. Standard quick tests, which involve storing the product at a higher temperature, are too short to produce adequate results. Theoretical calculation models based on material properties can serve only as a rough guide.

Application of the PET Proof® procedure

PET Proof® accelerates the oxygen permeation rate through packaging. In less than three weeks, this test realistically simulates the effect of several months' storage on product quality. The type and quality of the containers used is irrelevant, making the procedure suitable for all types of passive barrier packaging. The evaluation of sensory changes is performed objectively using a PET Proof®-integrated, computer-assisted analysis. WILD uses the procedure exclusively on products developed in-house.