Nigerian Breweries Plc, HQ.

NTM DEPARTMENT
TRIAL PROTOCOL
PROJECT: Stacking Evaluation Trial

UNIT: Climax 50cl PET

LOCATION: Ota brewery

PLANT: PET Line

OBJECTIVE:
To determine the quality impact of long-term storage and handling with an increased number
of 50cl PET packs from 6 X 21 (current stacking pattern) to 8 X 24 on a pallet.

TRIAL BRIEF:

The steps below are to be observed during the trial execution:

1. Stack the blank samples (maintain regular stacking pattern of 6 x 21packs and stacked at 3
layers high - 378 trays) for 21 days.
2. Stack the trial samples (with the increased number of packs per layer at 8 x 24 and
stacked at 2 layers high - 384 trays) for 21 days to test the ability of the full bottles to
resist environmental stress.
3. Execute evaluation of both trial and blank samples using required criteria.
4. Execute periodic foreign gas & CO2 monitoring of samples during the stacking test
duration.
5. Upon successful stack test evaluation, a transit (transport) test to follow.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:
1. No leakages. There must be no leakage of the product from the primary packaging.
2. No test sample must show any deterioration which could adversely affect safety of
storage, handling and transport.
3. No distortion or deformation with reduced bottle strength.
4. No instability in stacks of packages that can cause damage to inner packaging that can
create safety risk during transport (transit).
5. No buckling of the PET bottle sidewalls sufficient to cause damage to its expected
contents.
6. No cracks at the base of the PET bottle.
7. PET tray compactness.
8. No significant different between torque analytical results of blank vs trial after 21
days.

File name: HQ.NTM.QMS.TP Approval by: QC Pkg Mat.

Editor: Packaging Materials Specialist Approval date: 27.01.22
Version: 01 Modified date: 29.08.21
 Nigerian Breweries Plc, HQ.
NTM DEPARTMENT

9. No test sample may leak. In composite packaging or combination packaging, there

must be no leakage of the filling substance from the inner receptacle, or inner
packaging.
10. No test sample may show any deterioration which could adversely affect transportation
safety or any distortion likely to reduce its strength, cause instability in stacks of
packages, or cause damage to inner packaging likely to reduce safety in transportation.
11. a container passes the test if, after application of the required load, there is no buckling
of the sidewalls sufficient to cause damage to its expected contents; in no case may the
maximum deflection exceed one inch.
12. PET tray compactness

File name: HQ.NTM.QMS.TP Approval by: QC Pkg Mat.

Editor: Packaging Materials Specialist Approval date: 27.01.22
Version: 01 Modified date: 29.08.21