Italian blow molding machinery maker SIPA SpA has developed a 5-gallon PET water cooler bottle with an integral handle, also made of PET.

SIPA is promoting the PET bottles as an alternative to polycarbonate water cooler bottles, which have come under fire for use of bisphenol A. SIPA makes machines to produce the preforms and blow mold bottles.

Several months ago, SIPA engineers set out to develop a lighter container and one with a PET handle, for easy recycling. A bottle with a polypropylene handle is already on the market in the United States, but you have to separate the two parts before recycling.

The new design can produce 250 bottles an hour, per cavity on a two-cavity linear stretch blow molding system.

SIPA is based in Vittorio Veneto, Italy. SIPA North America Inc. is in Atlanta.

Tel. 404-349-3966, email martina.bottarel@zoppas.com.