Plastic Technologies Inc., an Ohio-based PET packaging research and development firm, has entered into a strategic partnership with Italy-based PET packaging machinery specialist Sipa SpA.
The collaboration will enable both companies to increase their visibility and create new business opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic, the companies said.
PTI of Holland, Ohio, already has an established presence in Europe through its division in Switzerland. The company's expertise in package development and material expertise complements and expand Sipa's capabilities portfolio, PTI CEO Thierry Fabozzi said, so that "joining forces with Sipa makes perfect sense for PTI."
Partnering with Sipa will give PTI access to SIPA's latest equipment, "and enable us to provide even better turnkey solutions for our brand-owner customers," he said.
PTI was founded in 1985 by Tom Brady, who previously served as vice president and director of technology for Owens-Illinois Inc., where he led development of PET bottle technology from 1971 to 1984. When he was approached by Coca-Cola Co. to lead a number of their projects, he offered instead to set up a separate company — Plastic Technologies Inc. — to manage those projects.
Today, PTI is a globally recognized PET packaging solutions provider with offices and labs in the U.S., Switzerland and India. The company works with brand owners on innovative, sustainable packaging solutions in line with the regulatory, environmental, economic and aesthetic standards.
For Sipa, next to the technical benefits, the geographical advantages of the partnership are self-evident.
"PTI's well-established footprint in the United States will allow Sipa to further reinforce its visibility and success for its equipment technology in North America," said Sipa Chairman Gianfranco Zoppas.
Sipa's network elsewhere in the world will help introduce PTI as a leader in package development, he added. Sipa operates 17 sales branches, four manufacturing facilities — two in Italy, one in Romania and one in China — and 28 service centers.
Sipa said it is the second-largest mold maker in the world, with tooling facilities in Italy and China. Sipa offers tooling for both injection and blow molding.
Its injection mold refurbishing and conversion services are currently available in Italy, China, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa and the United States.