An apparatus (100) for the fabrication of a container (300) comprising a mold (121) defining the form of said container (300) and configured to accommodate a substantially tubular preform, an injection head (115) configured to interface with the preform (108) and establish fluid communication with a cavity thereof; and an injection valve (202), said injection valve (202) configured to selectively permit fluid communication through said injection head (115); said apparatus (100) further comprising at least one compression means (303A, 303B) mobile relative to said mold (121) such that said at least one compression means (303A, 303B) is disposed outside said mold cavity (105) in a retracted position and projects into said mold cavity (105) in an extended position.