A smarter alternative in the sports cap segment

Packaging Solutions

At the recent Interpack 2026, United Caps presened its new 26/22 S-Spring closure, positioned as a smarter alternative in the sports cap segment.

The sports cap market is well established, with a wide range of solutions already available. As a result, differentiation is less about introducing entirely new features and more about combining multiple performance factors in a balanced way. The 26/22 S-Spring was developed with this in mind, bringing together material efficiency, ease of use and design flexibility in a single closure concept.

The closure offers a lightweight construction while maintaining the robustness required for demanding applications. Its click ’n’ lock opening mechanism supports a stable open position with haptic feedback, while the clear thumb positioning makes opening intuitive and comfortable in everyday use. Typical of the United Caps’ tethered caps range, the 26/22 S-Spring features a 190° opening angle to improve the drinking experience. In addition, the monomaterial structure supports recyclability requirements, aligning with ongoing industry efforts to simplify material streams and improve packaging sustainability. This approach also contributes to an approximately 20% lower carbon footprint compared to typical market alternatives, based on internal comparative assessment.

Beyond functional performance, the new cap also enables brand differentiation through visual customisation options, including bi-colour differentiation enabled by its two piece design. This allows manufacturers to combine technical performance with stronger shelf presence in competitive product categories.

‘In a mature segment like sports caps, progress often comes from combining multiple improvements rather than focusing on a single feature,’ said CEO Benoît Henckes. ‘With 26/22 S-Spring, we aimed to bring together key performance elements in a way that supports both operational needs and product differentiation.’