Amcor raises hot‑fill performance with Apex jars

Amcor has upgraded its Apex family of clear, lightweight PET jars, now incorporating Elevate technology to improve hot‑fill performance on production lines.

The jars use metal lug closures, are compatible with existing filling equipment, and offer a customisable design for both branded and private‑label products.

Hot‑fill categories such as pasta sauces, cooking sauces and tomato‑based products rely heavily on glass — a format that is costly to ship, prone to breakage and sensitive to temperature variability. As producers face rising logistics costs, labour shortages and pressure to reduce downtime, demand is growing for lighter, more resilient packaging that maintains line efficiency while lowering total cost of ownership. Amcor’s PET innovation directly targets these operational pain points.

Apex jars with Elevate technology deliver several performance advantages for food manufacturers: 

• Hot‑fill capability up to 205°F (96°C), enabling stable filling even as line temperatures fluctuate.
• Stronger resistance to deformation, reducing rejects and improving consistency on high‑speed lines.
• Lightweight PET construction, with seven unfilled Apex jars equal in weight to one unfilled glass jar, enabling up to 36% more product per truckload.
• Lower breakage risk, reducing downtime and waste compared with glass.
• Compatibility with existing lines, minimising changeover costs and disruption.

These features combine to deliver a more stable, predictable hot‑fill process — a critical factor for sauce and ambient‑stable food producers.

The technology is aimed at pasta sauce and cooking sauce manufacturers; hot‑fill food producers seeking improved line stability; private‑label suppliers wanting customisable, premium‑looking PET formats; and brands prioritising logistics efficiency and reduced breakage.

Apex jars are positioned as a drop‑in alternative to glass, reducing the cost and complexity of switching. Their lightweight profile significantly cuts freight costs, while compatibility with existing equipment avoids capital expenditure. Amcor also offers customisable jar designs, enabling brands to differentiate on shelf while maintaining operational efficiency.

Amcor continues to expand its leadership in responsible, high‑performance packaging, investing in technologies that improve sustainability, functionality and cost efficiency across food categories. The Apex upgrade reflects the company’s strategy to help manufacturers overcome production variability while reducing environmental and operational burdens.

For food producers, the new Apex PET jars represent a step‑change in hot‑fill packaging. By combining glass‑like clarity with superior line performance, lower logistics costs and greater resilience, Amcor provides a compelling alternative to traditional glass — particularly for brands seeking to improve efficiency without compromising product quality or consumer experience.