Plastic Beer Keg Plastic beer keg is a modern substitute for the old steel kegs, which has an efficient design and is very easy to transport and affordable as well in terms of production cost. These kegs are usually made of either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and weigh much less than steel models. Plastic kegs are also lighter than comparable steel products — a 30-liter plastic keg can weigh as little as 2.5 kilograms, (some steel kegs can weigh more than 10 kg).
These include one-way systems in plastic beer kegs, eliminating the need for cleaning and returns. This saves breweries and distributors from high operational fixed costs, because to clean a steel keg it can consume in between 15-20 liters of water per keg and requires specialty cleaning chemicals. In comparison, the costs for single-use plastic kegs simply cut these fees out of the equation entirely, providing 20-30% savings on certain aspects of logistics to businesses.
Plastic beer kegs frequently receive questions regarding sustainability, and the reasoning can be found in their recyclability. Plastic kegs from companies such as KeyKeg and Petainer have systems in place that make them 100% recyclable, leaving almost no effect on our environment. PET-based keg recycling processes have also been shown to consume 60% less energy, compared to new material production, contributing to global carbon footprint reduction efforts.
Plastic kegs have been a real game changer for the craft beer market, especially for small breweries. As the unit price of plastic beer kegs generally runs from $8 to $15, they appeal on that basis as well for brewers with a thin margin. Small breweries in certain situations can save around $10,000 a year just switching from using traditional steel kegs to disposable plastic ones every month at 5,000 liters capacity per month.
Compatible with standard dispensing systems, plastic beer kegs also fit right into the keg connectors at bars and restaurants. Not only their lightweight and robust structure, but also they can be transferred over long distance by reducing 30% fuel consumption per shipment when compared to steel kegs. In international markets, breweries that export overseas are more likely to use plastic kegs because they have tamper-evident seals that make the product safer.
As Heineken CEO Dolf van den Brink noted, “Innovation leads to efficiency and efficiency will define sustainability.” And this exactly defines why the plastic beer keg has become almost mainstream in the beverage industry. Their UV barriers, low oxygen permeability and stackable designs make them as perfectly suited for beer storage and transport as they are for optimal performance.
To learn more about the benefits of plastic beer kegs go to plastic beer keg.