EUROPE – Sidel has developed a dedicated PET bottle for carbonated beverages designed for long-standing reuse in response to impending European regulations.
In accordance with the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the focus is on creating a circular economy where reusable bottles are prioritized.
With a goal of achieving 25 percent reusable bottles by 2040, there is a growing demand for returnable packaging and refillable production lines instead of the traditional food-grade bottle-to-bottle recycling process.
For packaging manufacturers looking to introduce returnable bottles, PET is the material of choice. Using PET helps to reach lighter bottle weights and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
To cater to the demands of the market for returnable carbonated beverage bottles, Sidel experts have developed a PET bottle that is lightweight yet highly durable, capable of enduring multiple washing cycles.
The design of the returnable packaging has been developed to ensure durability, allowing consumers to return the same bottle through a deposit scheme for multiple reuse. This bottle is designed to withstand up to 25 refills.
Combined with a dedicated blowing process, the preform and structural design enable the bottle to withstand high washing temperatures.
The bottle also includes a reinforced neck to ensure high-quality performance during neck-held washing and refill cycles.
In addition, the company stated that the structural design is available in various bottle formats, such as 1L, 1.5L, and 2L, and provides a significant opportunity for lightweighting.
For example, the 1.5L bottle weighs just 77g and offers ultra-high performance, resulting in a 28 percent weight saving compared to the market average.
This is another step the company has taken to enhance its commitment to a circular economy. Early this month, Sidel collaborated with Hainan Chunguang to install a Sidel Aseptic Combi Predis in the Hainan province.
Following extensive discussions, Sidel provided its aseptic packaging and comprehensive services, along with the capability to utilize dry technology instead of traditional wet aseptic solutions.
In turn, the customer will be able to achieve their economic and environmental sustainability targets.
Ms. Xin Yan, a board member of Hainan Chunguang, stated, “Hainan Chunguang’s decision to move into the beverage market in 2020 was the result of many years of preparation, which included product development and identifying the technical resources required to deliver the product.
“As Hainan Chunguang expanded into the sensitive beverages market for the first time, it was crucial to find a partner with expertise and a proven track record to install this solution.”
