Amcor 38mm carry handle cuts beverage pack weight

Amcor has expanded its beverage portfolio with the launch of a new 38mm carry handle for PET containers.

The hardware is specifically engineered to target the rapidly growing bulk convenience market, offering an efficient solution for large-format water and non-carbonated drink packaging.

The release taps directly into an increase in consumer demand for bulk beverage purchasing. Macro trends — including rising remote working, a surge in home and office water dispenser use, and growing interest in outdoor camping — have driven a market uptick in large container sizes ranging between 5 to 10 litres.

For drink brands looking to scale into these larger configurations, a major barrier has historically been the material weight and associated carbon footprint of traditional heavy handles. Amcor’s 38mm solution directly answers this operational challenge.

When combined with the closure, the new 38mm carry handle delivers a 34.5% weight saving compared to standard industry 48mm alternatives. This massive plastic reduction allows beverage manufacturers to significantly lower their raw material costs and reduce transportation-related scope 3 emissions, while still deploying a durable, large-capacity container.

Despite the lightweighting, the handle does not sacrifice transport safety or consumer convenience. Sized for large rigid PET formats up to 10 litres, the component features a highly robust, user-friendly design that gives consumers a strong, reliable grip when carrying heavy liquids.

To ensure the packaging survives the rigorous supply chain transit without loose components detaching, the handle incorporates specialised retention tabs. These tabs physically clamp onto the bottle neck securely and tightly, preventing slipping or failure during logistics handling.

Furthermore, the handle offers excellent system compatibility for manufacturing lines. It fits with bottles featuring standard 38mm necks and is fully cross-compatible with Amcor’s Proxima Tethered Closure, as well as a wide variety of the manufacturer’s existing beverage cap systems.

“This new 38mm handle comes at the right time, with more consumers demanding water or non-carbonated beverages in container sizes of between 5 to 10 litres,” said Uli Kobert, product line manager for beverage closures & home care triggers at Amcor. “It’s a solution that is convenient for the consumer and makes it easier to carry.”