30 April 1998: The north-American company Continental PET reportedly started up its bottle factory in Sorocaba (Sao Paulo), Brazil, in January 1998, supplying part of the production line of Gatorade, …
30 April 1998: The north-American company Continental PET reportedly started up its bottle factory in Sorocaba (Sao Paulo), Brazil, in January 1998, supplying part of the production line of Gatorade, the energizer drink which is an undisputed leader in the north-American and Brazilian markets and is part of Quaker“s drinks division, also in Sorocaba. Traditionally supplied in glass bottles, the drink is now also available in PET bottles, imported from Continental“s USA and Mexico bases. PET is said to be superior to glass for its light weight safety and ease of transport. The PET bottles produced in Brazil are expected to be similar to those whose use has been established in the US, where glass bottles of Gatorade are difficult to find. Eastman, an international partner of Continental PET and supplier of the resin for the Gatorade bottles, calculates that sales of isotonics in Brazil have increased by 786% between 1994-97, and forecasts that PET bottling will replace glass bottling for isotonics in Brazil by 2000. PET hot fill has not yet fulfilled its potential in Brazil because few manufacturers have the technical conditions and machinery it demands.