Two EU companies have reached agreement to commercialise coatings that extends the life of returnable glass bottles. Arkema & Spraying Systems Co. said the partnership involves technical & commercial development for the coatings. Returnable bottles generally get scuffed by bottle-to-bottle contact during the filling process. With increasing number of bottle trips, the appearance & marketing value decreases, Arkema stated. "Success for beer & soda manufacturers is about getting products presented in the right way in the pubs, bars & shops where customers experience the product," Arkema stated in announcing the agreement. An anti-scuff coating, developed by Arkema in collaboration with Spraying Systems Co. is already in use by SABMiller, which first tested the product in South Africa before announcing in September the roll out to its key breweries worldwide.
