2024 Recap: Highlights from PET Technologies’ Remarkable Year

The year is drawing to a close, but there’s no reason for it to be a sad one. Quite the opposite! It’s time to step into the new year with a bunch of fresh memories and lessons learned. For a company, this reflection is even more exciting—how else would you evolve without looking back? And let’s not forget our clients, some of whom may have joined us late in the journey and might have missed a few key events of 2024.

What a year it has been—packed to the brim with news for PET Technologies! If you haven’t checked out our website’s media tab yet, you’re seriously missing out—go ahead, we’ll wait!

The title of our recap says it all—this year truly was remarkable. Take a look back with us, and who knows? You might just discover something that turns you from a reader into a client.

25 Years of Excellence

How could we begin our look back at PET Technologies’ 2024 without mentioning perhaps the biggest event of the year—PET Technologies’ 25th anniversary! Time truly flies. From humble beginnings in 1999 to worldwide recognition in 2024 as a reliable partner and provider of personalized blow molding solutions.

On our website, we created an entire section dedicated to this milestone, where you can learn about how we entered each regional market, the story of our first international sale, and the evolution of our automatic blow molding equipment—from the very first machine to the advanced APF-Max series.

On social media, you may have seen posts under the hashtag #25YearsPETTechnologies, where we shared insights and archive photos from PET Technologies’ journey.

But it’s not just the company that celebrated this year—many of our dedicated workers did as well! A tradition we started a few years ago is to honor employees who have been with us for 20+ years, and this year, we proudly awarded two colleagues who have been with us since the very beginning—25 years of dedication.

Innovating the Future: New Machines of 2024

The progress of PET Technologies’ 4th generation blow molding machines shows no signs of slowing down. First introduced in 2017, this series continues to evolve with new models and updates each year.

This year, we proudly introduced three new machines, each designed to provide greater flexibility for our clients and address emerging industry challenges. And the best part? All these machines debuted at exhibitions!

APF-Max 3U

One of our most ambitious machines to date! This 3-cavity model can blow bottles as small as 100 ml and as large as 10L. If you’re familiar with blow molding machines, you might wonder—how is this possible? The answer lies in PET Technologies’ unique technology that allows changing the number of cavities: larger bottles, such as 3–6L, are blown using 2 cavities, while bottles over 6L use just 1 cavity.

APF-Max 3U made its debut at NPE 2024 in Orlando, the United States, where it quickly became a crowd favorite. A “Sold” sign on the machine at the exhibition proved its undeniable appeal. With a productivity of up to 5400 bph for 1.5L bottles, this machine is an ideal solution for bottle producers looking to scale their production efficiently.

APF-Max 2

APF-Max 2 is the most compact automatic blow molding machine on the market! This 2-cavity powerhouse fits into any production space while delivering performance comparable to larger systems. With a capacity of 1750 bottles per hour per cavity, it boasts an overall output of 3500 bph, making it one of the most efficient machines in its class.

Visitors to EXPO PACK Mexico 2024 might have seen this compact giant firsthand—and yes, the machine at the booth proudly displayed a “Sold” sign, underscoring the strong demand for APF-Max solutions.

APF-Max 2L

The latest addition to the lineup and the big cousin of APF-Max 2. The “L” in its name signifies its ability to blow bottles up to 3L. Despite its larger capacity, it remains only slightly bigger than the APF-Max 2, ensuring it fits seamlessly into your production space.

The APF-Max 2L made its debut at BrauBeviale 2024 in Germany, where it generated the most inquiries and quickly became the star of the booth.

3. The PET Tour 2024: A Lengthy Journey

If there’s one word to describe PET Technologies’ journey this year, it’s extensive. Our PET Tour 2024 took us to events, exhibitions, and trade shows across the globe—spanning North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

1. Craft Brewers Conference, Las Vegas, USA (April 21–24, 2024). We tapped into the growing trend of using PET bottles for alcoholic beverages, engaging with brewers and exploring new bottle designs for beer, wine, cider, and more. 
2. NPE2024, Orlando, USA (May 6–10, 2024). Our grand return to NPE featured the debut of the APF-Max 3U, a versatile blow molding machine capable of producing bottles ranging from 0.1 to 8 liters. Visitors were impressed by its flexibility and efficiency. 
3. EXPO PACK México, Mexico City, Mexico (June 4–7, 2024). Continuing our tradition, we showcased the APF-Max 3U to the Latin American market, strengthening connections and demonstrating our commitment to energy-efficient PET bottle manufacturing solutions. 
4. ABC2024 Blow Molding Conference, Atlanta, USA (October 7–9, 2024). As speakers at this prestigious conference, we presented “Design is King: The Merge of Technology and Aesthetics,” highlighting the significance of innovative bottle design in cost reduction and market appeal. 
5. International Engineering Fair, Brno, Czech Republic (October 8–11, 2024). Our participation underscored our engineering prowess, with a focus on our blow molding equipment and the high-quality blow molds trusted by global corporations. 
6. BrauBeviale 2024, Nuremberg, Germany (November 26–28, 2024). We unveiled the APF-Max 2L, capable of producing bottles up to 3 liters, attracting significant interest and inquiries from the beverage industry. 
7. Blow Molding 2024 International Conference, Brussels, Belgium (December 9–11, 2024). Concluding our PET Tour 2024, we presented insights on the convergence of design and technology in blow molding, reinforcing our position as industry innovators. 

Each event provided a platform to demonstrate our achievements, engage with industry peers, and explore new opportunities in the ever-evolving technologies landscape.

4. Inside PET Technologies: An Everyday Life of the company

While exhibitions and conferences put us in the spotlight, life at PET Technologies doesn’t slowdown in between. Behind the scenes, our plant is a hive of activity—machines whirring, blow molds taking shape, and people working.

Our social media channels also offer glimpses into our daily life at the company. From behind-the-scenes looks at our manufacturing processes to snapshots of team collaborations, we aim to provide an authentic view of what makes PET Technologies thrive. 

This year, we added a bit of fun to our routine with initiatives like “Take Your Pets to Work Day” under the hashtag #PETSforPET. It was a day when the office welcomed our team’s furry, tail-wagging friends, and let’s just say—they enjoyed exploring the workspace as much as we enjoyed having them there!

We celebrate milestones and achievements within our team. This year we proudly honored employees who have been with us for over two decades. Our entire team joined in celebrating not just our company’s success, but also the dedication of our long-standing workers.

5. Sustainability in Action

At PET Technologies, sustainability means integrating smarter solutions into every step of production. This year, we’ve focused on reducing energy consumption, improving efficiency, and expanding capabilities to align with industry demands.

Our NIR heating technology plays a crucial role here. By utilizing Near Infrared (NIR) lamps, it ensures faster and more energy-efficient preform heating. Notably, it works seamlessly with rPET, helping manufacturers achieve sustainability goals without compromising productivity.

Another key innovation is our Smart Base Technology. While the mold base often goes unnoticed, it is critical for efficiency. Smart Base optimizes air pressure distribution and reduces friction within the blow mold, enabling bottles to be blown with lower air pressure requirements. For you, this translates to up to 30% energy savings in blowing operations while maintaining bottle quality. Lower energy use, reduced costs, and improved sustainability—smart, indeed.

And here’s something new: this year, we began producing molds for extrusion molding. While we’ll share more about this in future articles, it marks an exciting expansion of our mold production capabilities, opening new opportunities for our clients.

On top of all this, we’ve also brought sustainability to our plant itself. In 2024, we installed solar panels on the roof of our production facility, taking a significant step toward reducing our environmental impact.

6. Through the Lens of the Press

In 2024, PET Technologies caught the attention of industry media with remarkable over 100 publications about us—covering our achievements, innovations, and events around the world. What did they write? Here are just a few notable examples:

PETplanet Insider highlighted our participation at NPE2024, focusing on the debut of the APF-Max 3U with its NIR heating technology and unmatched versatility. Plastics News explored our advancements in energy-efficient solutions. Over at PMM we were feature in Review of the Blow Molding Equipment Market.

These are just a glimpse of the stories shared about PET Technologies this year, and we’re proud to see our work resonate across the industry.

7. Expanding Horizons: New Markets in 2024

Reflecting on 2023, we were proud to achieve an export geography spanning 60 countries. But, of course, we didn’t stop there. In 2024, PET Technologies expanded even further, adding new territories to our global map.

But for El Salvador y Venezuela in the Latin America, this year, we made our mark in Africa, with equipment installations in Djibouti and Tanzania. These new partnerships not only reinforce our growing presence on the continent but also highlight the demand for reliable, energy-efficient blow molding solutions in emerging markets.

We also celebrated a Balkan expansion with the addition of North Macedonia to our export geography. From the Americas to Africa, from Asia to Europe, PET Technologies continues to bring cutting-edge equipment and personalized blow molding solutions to every corner of the world.

8. Collaboration for the Future

At PET Technologies, we believe the future starts with education—and we’re always eager to share our knowledge with the next generation of professionals.

This year, we introduced scholarships for top-performing students at Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, supporting those who stand out with their academic achievements. For us, it’s more than just a scholarship—it’s about giving talented students a push toward their future careers.

But that’s not all. We took our collaboration with educational institutions even further by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation with Kyiv National Economic University (KNEU). This partnership opens up opportunities for students to learn more about the real world of manufacturing, technology, and innovation. 

Meanwhile, our plant has been buzzing with activity—not just from machines, but from the university and school students visiting us for excursions. These tours happen multiple times a month, giving future engineers, designers, and managers a chance to see how blow molding equipment and molds are made, up close.

Add to this our internship programs, where students get to roll up their sleeves and dive into hands-on experience in production. Collaboration for the future is all about making connections between education and industry. At PET Technologies, we’re not just building machines—we’re helping to build the next generation.

9. PET Technologies on Social Media: Stories Worth Sharing

At PET Technologies, we share more than just achievements—we share our everyday life. And this approach has its results.

In January 2024, we celebrated reaching 5,000 followers on LinkedIn. By the end of the year, this number is closing in on 7,500. A growing community of professionals, clients, and industry partners who stay with us for insights, updates, and a glimpse into our plant’s daily rhythm.

Our presence doesn’t stop there. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and, starting this year, TikTok—a new space for engaging with content. We’ve also ventured into YouTube Shorts, because sitting still isn’t our style.

And here’s something we’re especially proud of: our LinkedIn Newsletter. With 4,000+ subscribers and growing every week, it’s where we share company insights every Monday. This year, we hit a milestone with our 50th edition—and there’s much more to come.

If you’re not following us yet, now’s the perfect time to join us across all platforms and see PET Technologies in action.

10. Technical Service Beyond Installation

At PET Technologies, we believe that delivering a machine is just the beginning. After-sale service and support are what truly make the difference, and we ensure our clients feel supported every step of the way.

Service care and accessibility are among the top qualities clients look for when choosing a new machine, and we’ve built our approach around this understanding. When you choose PET Technologies, you’re not left to figure things out alone.

Here’s what we do:

• Testing: Together, we test the equipment with all your bottle formats to ensure everything runs smoothly.
• Training: We don’t leave until your team knows how to operate the machine with confidence. Our service technicians provide comprehensive training and issue official certifications once your operators have successfully passed the tests.

And our support doesn’t stop there. We’re always in touch about any technical questions or concerns you may have—whether it’s a quick adjustment or an in-depth consultation.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As 2024 wraps up, we’re not slowing down—because every step forward this year is a reason to keep pushing. From our machines to our team, from partnerships to everyday life, it’s all about moving ahead together.

The new year is just around the corner, and we’re ready for whatever it brings. More challenges, more opportunities, and, of course, more stories to share with you.

See you in 2025!