May, 2003 Supreme Corq Underlines Its Supremacy Amidst the heated debate concerning real versus synthetic closures, one company, Supreme Corq, has made a breakthrough which will not only revolutionize the market, but will protect the environment at the same time.
Supreme Corq has developed the T-top closure that is suitable for both wine and distilled spirits. Companies are already taking note and wineries all ove the globe are now turning to the T-top.
The key properties of the T-top product, namely its unbreakability, ease of insertion, lack of sharp edges and no corkscrew requirement, all add up to a win-win situation for both consumer and producer. Now with over 10 years of experience, as leaders in the closures market, Supreme Corq is the only synthetic closure company to receive both the coveted ISO 9001:2000 (Europe) and the AIB (American Institute of Baking – US) standard certifications through its quality process systems.
TESTING and PRODUCTION
Attaching great importance to ensuring the end quality of its product, Supreme Corq has developed a range of benchmarks that ensures a top-end closure.
This involves a manufacturing process using injection-moulds to form a single-piece cap and shank (corq) closure, with the outer skin completely covering the corq. What this means in practice is a closure that adapts more easily to the bottle bore and crucially, one that ensures a through seal. In terms of test procedures, Supreme Corq carries out extensive evaluation based on density, (length, weight diameter) coating consistency, insertion, extraction and torque. And yet another advantage with the T-top system means that the closure can no become an intrinsic part of the packaging, with a complete range of printing and colour options open to the producer.
T-tops (cap and shank) are available in any colour combination – both complementary and contrasting – as well as replete with the manufacturers required embossing.
So Why the T-Top?
A major bonus for producers using the T-top system is that closures attract no cork taint – currently one of the hottest topics in the industry – and nor do they affect wine flavour – in effect they are neutral.
Composed of two facets, the T-top cap is made from high-grade polypropylene, while the corq is manufactured from thermoplastic, elastomeric materials using top-quality moulds. Furthermore they are recyclable, (so answering another of the traditional cork producers’ claims); generate no cork dust and do not discolour clear, distilled spirits.
To specifically answer environmental issues, Supreme Corq announced the adoption of a radical recycling programme in the UK, with one of its largest wine retailers, Oddbins, the first company to participate.
In every one of Oddbins’ 226 branches, customers can now return their synthetic closures for recycling purposes and transform the product into useful items such as shoe soles, construction equipment and playground padding. In addition to this important contribution, Supreme Corq also recycles all scrap material that is generated at its production facility.
From Drinks International Magazine, May, 2003
