Sidel highlights PET’s capabilities for liquid packaging

IIDE was held at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, from 3 to 5 April 2019.

On the occasion, Sidel shed lights on two key features provided by a PET bottle — its barrier properties and its blow-fill-seal solution.

Rohit Sawhney, sales director India and Indian subcontinent, Sidel, said, “The liquid dairy market, traditionally packaged in carton or HDPE, is driven by the growing consumer demand for more functional and health-oriented drinks. Due to a large number of product introductions in the Indian market, dairy players need to differentiate their brands and produce their liquid products more flexible and cost-effectively."

Sawhney said PET can act as a distinguishing factor in this scenario, “PET is 100% recyclable and is available both as a transparent or an opaque solution. Thus, it is an attractive packaging material, offering great marketing opportunities,” he said.

Elaborating on its benefits, he explained that multiple variables that influence the quality of the liquid dairy products, such as microorganisms, light, oxygen and temperature can be prevented through the barrier properties offered by PET.

He said, “PET, together with its neck and cap tightness, the drink’s integrity and safety are fully protected, while dairy producers can benefit from both cold chain and ambient distribution with an extended shelf life.”

In addition to the focus on PET bottles, Sidel highlighted its FDA-approved packaging line solution, Sidel Aseptic Combi Predis, which is counting more than 150 references worldwide.

Sidel’s integrated and technologically advanced solutions employ the processing equipment and capabilities of Tetra Pak Processing Systems (TPPS).  The Aseptic Combi Predis merges dry preform sterilisation with aseptic blowing, filling and sealing functions within a single production enclosure.

Sawhney said, “The production process requires just a few chemicals and negligible use of water, this is safe and simple for cost-effectiveness and resource savings.”

The Aseptic Combi Predis is capable of managing multiple sizes and formats and can achieve up to 200-hours of continuous production run time.

“The Sidel Aseptic Combi Predis globally contributed to saving seven billion litres of water and 57,000-tonnes of PET while producing a figure of 46-billion bottles,” Sawhney added.