KHS Group has unveiled a new PET bottle concept, KHS SUPREME, designed to improve oxygen barrier performance for sensitive beverage applications such as tea, juices and functional drinks. The development builds on the company’s established Plasmax coating technology and targets producers seeking extended shelf life without compromising recyclability.
The SUPREME concept uses a transparent silicon oxide coating applied to the inner surface of the PET bottle. The ultra-thin layer, measuring less than 100 nanometres, creates a glass-like barrier that significantly reduces oxygen ingress. According to KHS, this can extend product shelf life by up to ten times compared to conventional single-layer PET bottles, helping to preserve flavour, colour and nutritional integrity in oxygen-sensitive beverages.
The coating is applied through plasma-based vacuum technology integrated into high-speed production systems. KHS states that industrial outputs of up to 60,000 bottles per hour are achievable, enabling large-scale beverage operations to adopt the solution without sacrificing line efficiency.
From a sustainability perspective, the coated bottles remain fully recyclable. The silicon oxide layer does not interfere with established PET recycling streams and can be processed without degrading material quality. The solution is also compatible with bottles produced from 100 percent recycled PET (rPET), supporting circular packaging strategies.
With SUPREME, KHS positions its barrier technology as an alternative to multi-layer structures and oxygen scavengers, offering beverage producers a balance between product protection, operational performance and material recovery. The company plans to showcase the innovation to the international packaging community at upcoming industry exhibitions.