Application Spotlight: Q Pet Expands Tethered Closure Production with HyCAP™ Technology

Project Overview

South African PET manufacturer Q Pet is expanding its capabilities to include local production of tethered closures at its Pietermaritzburg facility. This family-owned business, which has been operating in South Africa since 1988, continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and market responsiveness.

This strategic expansion comes at a crucial time when regional retailer groups are vigorously on the lookout for local manufacturing capabilities for tethered closures to support their sustainability initiatives. Q Pet, with its proven track record in manufacturing, stepped forward to meet this need.

“The demand for locally produced tethered closures represents a significant opportunity for South African manufacturing. By investing in this technology now, we're not just meeting current market needs, we're preparing for the future of sustainable packaging,” says Ziyaad Moosa, CEO at Q Pet.

To expand successfully, the company required a comprehensive solution that could deliver on several key objectives, including:

• Meet growing local demand for tethered closures from South African retailers
• Produce high-quality closures that ensure optimal performance in high-speed filling operations
• Support sustainability goals through precision-engineered lightweight construction
• Reduce carbon footprint associated with imported closures

The Husky Solution

The relationship between Q Pet and Husky Technologies™ has evolved over several years of strategic planning and market evaluation. While the vision for local tethered closure production was clear, both companies wanted to ensure the timing and technology were optimal for the South African market. 

2024 marked a turning point when Husky's advanced mold technology aligned perfectly with Q Pet's manufacturing capabilities and market demand. Husky's solution centered on HyCAP™ mold technology, which offers several key advantages, including:

• Superior closure quality that ensures optimal performance in high-speed filling operations
• Industry-leading tethered design featuring an enhanced opening angle and secure locking mechanism
• Precision-engineered lightweight construction that advances sustainability goals while maintaining structural integrity

The new production line is installed, and commissioning is in progress, with 38mm tethered closure production reaching an annual capacity of more than 200 million closures. Later this year, Q Pet will launch 28mm tethered PCO 1881 closures, with an initial capacity of 200 million units per year.

"As we expand our capabilities with this new tethered closure line, we're maintaining our focus on sustainable growth and local market development. This investment represents our commitment to both environmental responsibility and South African manufacturing excellence," says Moosa. 

This local manufacturing capability significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with importing closures while strengthening Q Pet's position as a Level 2 BBBEE supplier registered with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE), which is South Africa’s department of government responsible for protecting, conserving, and improving the country’s environmental and natural resources.

Beyond tethered closures, Q Pet has recently increased its preform, blowing, and closure capacity using the latest available technologies and continues to invest as new markets emerge. Target markets include the Food, Dairy, and Beverage sectors, where Q Pet is well positioned to expand its offering.

What Is HyCAP™ Closure Molding Technology?

HyCAP™ is Husky's advanced closure molding technology designed for high-performance production of beverage closures, including innovative tethered closure designs.

HyCAP™ systems deliver:

• High-Performance Production: Optimized for high-speed filling operations with consistent quality output
• Advanced Tethered Design: Enhanced 180-degree opening angle and secure locking mechanism for improved consumer experience
• Lightweight Engineering: Precision-engineered construction that reduces material usage while maintaining structural integrity, supporting sustainability goals
• Versatile Applications: Suitable for various closure sizes and types across beverage, food, dairy, and other packaging markets

HyCAP™ technology is ideally suited for manufacturers like Q Pet who require precision and efficiency for high-quality closure production while meeting evolving regulatory requirements and sustainability standards.

NEXT STEPS

Speak with a Husky closures expert to learn how our latest closure technologies can address your packaging needs.