Andechser Natur glass yogurt spoon – BARLOG Plastics accompanies the development process from idea to series production

The brief for the development of a glass yoghurt spoon for Andechser Natur was to create a product that would facilitate the complete removal of the yoghurt from the jar, thereby reducing product wastage whilst simultaneously strengthening brand presence.

BARLOG Plastics played a key role in shaping the entire development process for the Andechser Natur glass yoghurt spoon project and supplied the required small batch of 10,000 units. From concept to production – as a reliable and experienced partner offering bespoke service and extensive project expertise.

Material selection as a key development component

KEBALLOY ECO R-PET was selected for the project – a bespoke material based on recycled PET that meets the requirements for food-contact applications and, like virgin material, is manufactured to a tight specification. The plastic is heat-resistant, food-grade and dimensionally stable – making it the perfect material for a glass yoghurt spoon.

“Material selection is one of the fundamental decisions that engineers must make when designing a component,” says Florian Sembowski, project manager at BARLOG Plastics. “The properties and characteristics that define our materials are, of course, also essential properties of the end product and influence its technical characteristics, service life and potential for further recycling.”

Small-batch production using the rapid tooling process

Working closely with our customer, the component design was optimised for plastic moulding, for example with regard to embossed lettering and draft angles. The small-batch mould was then designed and manufactured from aluminium. The desired surface finish, in accordance with VDI 3400 Reference 30, was achieved by blasting the mould surface, enabling the small batch to be delivered to the customer as expected.

“Thanks to the rapid tooling process we chose, we were able to produce the spoon quickly and cost-effectively, thereby reducing time-to-market to a minimum,” said Peter Barlog, managing partner at BARLOG Plastics. “This saves time and money and enables the rapid implementation of development projects right through to small-batch production.”

Custom-designed end product

The result: A yoghurt spoon for glass jars was created which, thanks to its design and integrated curves, fits perfectly into the shape of the Andechser glass yoghurt jar. As this allows the yoghurt to be completely removed from the jar, the amount of yoghurt left in the jar can be reduced. KEBALLOY ECO R-PET was used to manufacture the spoon. The material is based on processed PET recyclate from used PET bottles and meets the requirements of its intended application. Furthermore, the spoon was designed for repeated use.

“Many of our customers are showing increasing interest in materials containing recycled content, as well as in concepts for extending product lifespan,” says Peter Barlog. “We support our customers in material selection and product development, taking into account technical, economic and regulatory requirements. This includes, amongst other things, the use of recycled materials, application-oriented component design and consideration of possible recycling options at the end of the product life cycle. Which solution is suitable for a product must always be assessed on a case-by-case basis.”