The initial IMH idea was developed by the Australian company, B&R, which started production for the first time in 2006 as the licensor. The introduction of the IMH means that previous technical limitations should now be a thing of the past with the whole container also guaranteed to be 100% recyclable.

One occasionally comes across moulded grips which, for process-specific reasons, are moulded rather than recessed for effective finger insertion. “Integrally Moulded Handle” or IMH as the company calls it is what experts most closely associate with extrusion processes or subsequently inserted HDPE handles. We spoke to Integrated Plastic’s Managing Director, Mr Nicholas Mellen, about the concept and the development of what he says is a unique product that can be promoted worldwide. This allows the company to achieve key objectives such as ideal recyclability of the whole container, together with savings in weight and material compared with other combinations of plastics and production output. The patented idea relies exclusively on PET and rPET for the handle and, unlike other more conventional technologies, is produced with the preform at the preform stage.

The handle’s material and the process involved are special features of the technology. In the Villawood district some 30 km west of Sydney city centre, Integrated Plastics have been working on an effective, market-ready solution for bottles and containers with integrated handles since 2010 with a view to launching a global licensing business for PET converters and bottle producers. Ltd by Kay Barton OctoWe met: Mr Nicholas Mellen, Managing Director

Bottle preform