Sidel unveils Nitro Square for nitrogen-dosed water packaging

FRANCE – Sidel has launched Nitro Square, a square-shaped PET bottle tailored for still water infused with liquid nitrogen dosing. 

This design breaks from the standard round formats prevalent in the sector, offering manufacturers a fresh option for differentiation. 

The bottle integrates rigid panels with flexible zones that absorb internal pressure, ensuring the shape holds firm during transport and storage. 

It supports 100 percent recycled PET material, aiding efforts to cut down on virgin plastic use in beverage lines.

Xavier Monnier, Sidel’s packaging innovation polymer expert, noted that the market for these bottles typically features cylindrical shapes due to the pressure generated inside. 

He added that Nitro Square enables producers to create standout packaging that maintains integrity throughout the supply chain. 

The base incorporates Sidel’s wave-patterned StarLITE-R Nitro technology, which improves standing stability and resistance to impacts from drops. 

This feature draws on the company’s base launched earlier in 2024, specifically built for nitrogen-dosed still drinks and oils in full rPET formats, with production capabilities reaching up to 2,700 units per hour per mold in single-serve sizes.

Available in single-serve and multi-serve variants, Nitro Square fits various brand strategies, from premium to budget lines. 

Customization options allow for tailored graphics and sizes, enhancing visual impact on retail displays.

Integration proves straightforward with Sidel’s existing blow-molding systems, including the Universal, Series 2, and EvoBLOW models. 

These machines handle output rates of up to 2,600 bottles per hour per mold, keeping operations efficient without major overhauls.

Laurent Naveau, Sidel’s packaging innovator leader, explained that nitrogen dosing introduces a small amount of liquid to boost internal pressure, strengthening the package against handling stresses. 

He highlighted how the StarLITE-R Nitro base avoids traditional petaloid designs while delivering comparable durability, even at elevated speeds with recycled content. 

Recent tests under industrial settings confirmed the base’s resilience, including tolerance for temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Sidel’s Beijing facility recently supplied high-speed aseptic lines to CR Beverage, a major Chinese water brand, achieving full validation success. 

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