PCO 1881 vs PCO 1810: choosing a neck finish for your preform
The neck finish is the threaded top of the preform that the closure screws onto. It does not change in blow moulding, so the finish you choose fixes your closure, your capping line and part of your resin cost for the life of the bottle. These are the finishes we build most often.
PCO 1810 and PCO 1881
Both are 28 mm finishes developed for carbonated soft drinks. PCO 1810 is the older design. PCO 1881 is shorter and lighter, so each preform uses less PET in the neck, and it has become the standard choice for new carbonated and many still-water lines.
- PCO 1881 has a lower neck height than PCO 1810, which saves resin on every preform.
- The closures are not interchangeable. A PCO 1881 bottle needs a PCO 1881 closure.
- Changing from 1810 to 1881 usually means new neck rings in the preform mould and changes to the blow moulds, closure supply and capping heads.
If you already run PCO 1810 with a stable closure supply, it still works. If you are starting a new line, PCO 1881 is normally the better choice.
Lighter finishes for still water
Still water does not need a finish designed to hold carbonation pressure, so lighter, shorter finishes save more resin. 26/22, 29/25 and 30/25 are common for mineral water. Our 64 and 72 cavity projects both produce 14 g mineral water preforms.
Typical preform weights by neck finish
| Neck finish | Typical use | Preform weight |
|---|---|---|
| 26/22 | Light water, juice | 8–18 g |
| 28 mm PCO 1810 | Carbonated soft drinks | 13–25 g |
| 28 mm PCO 1881 | Carbonated soft drinks, mineral water | 12–25 g |
| 29/25 | Water, functional drinks | 10–20 g |
| 30/25 | Mineral water, functional drinks | 12–20 g |
Questions to settle before ordering a mould
- Which closures can you buy locally, reliably and at a good price?
- Does your capping line handle the finish, or does it need new chucks?
- Is the product carbonated, hot-filled or still?
- Will you sell the same bottle in more than one market with different closure standards?
Send us your bottle and closure details and we will confirm the neck finish and preform design before the mould is made.