Report Underlines Savings With Disposable Kegs

05 Jun 2014 --- Brewers can save cash and reduce their impact on the environment by switching to disposable PET kegs, says new report.

Brewers could make significant financial savings, improve operational flexibility and reduce their environmental impact simply by switching from re-usable steel kegs to non-returnable PET kegs, according to an independent analysis commissioned by Petainer.

The analysis, carried out by leading supply chain expert Axel Hartwig of Sauer & Hartwig Technologie, compared multiple aspects of the use of steel kegs and PET kegs such as Petainer’s petainerKeg™. In a white paper outlining his findings, Hartwig concluded that there was “a strong case for using one way PET kegs instead of conventional steel kegs because there are clear benefits at every stage of the supply chain from the brewery to the final customer.”

Hartwig’s white paper highlights the rising cost of steel, which has led to increases in the price of steel kegs to as much as €81 for a 50-litre keg.  PET kegs, by contrast, require far less in the way of investment and, because they are designed to be recycled after use, there are no ongoing costs associated with maintenance and repairs.
Operationally, PET kegs provide more flexibility because they are often more widely available than steel kegs in smaller 20 litre and 30 litre sizes, which are increasingly popular with bars keen to offer their consumers a wider range of beers, wine and cider “on tap.”

The use of one way kegs also simplifies handling at all stages along the supply chain.  Retailers stand to benefit significantly from this as a result of the reduced weight and the opportunity for immediate disposal of the kegs for recycling after they are emptied.

By removing the need for a return trip after the containers have been emptied, one way PET kegs have a significant and positive impact on the environment.  Hartwig wrote:  “The cost savings on transport, fuel and energy as well as the reduced CO2 emissions create a compelling case for the use of these recyclable lightweight kegs.”

Concluding the white paper, Hartwig said it wasn’t just brewers who could benefit from using PET kegs.  “Most of the advantages that are mentioned here would apply equally to the transportation of beverages such as wines (still and sparkling), cider and soft drinks,” he wrote.

Annemieke Hartman-Jemmett, Strategy Director at Petainer, said:  “This white paper really sheds light on the clear financial, operational and environmental benefits that PET kegs, such as our own petainerKeg™, provide over traditional steel kegs.  In addition, there is strong evidence that the petainerKeg™ also offers the advantage of better maintaining the quality of beer during distribution, thanks to the integrated oxygen scavenger and other barrier technologies we blend in the PET we use in manufacture.”