Thai Coconut adopts Sidel Aseptic PET line for 45,000 bottles per hour, scales global juice exports

THAILAND – Thai Coconut has adopted a full aseptic PET line from Sidel for carbonated and still coconut juice products at 45,000 bottles per hour, using the Aseptic Combi Predis system that combines preform sterilisation, blow moulding, filling, and capping.

The line uses Predis dry preform decontamination, which lowers water and chemical use without affecting food safety standards. 

It also includes Sidel’s Evo-ON Performance system for real-time production tracking and line adjustments. 

The new setup can run different bottle formats including 350ml non-CSD and 350ml CSD products with the same filler. 

Montri Banraungsanor, Thai Coconut chief technical officer, stated that the company chose Sidel due to its strong reputation and proven expertise in the aseptic market.

Aseptic PET: A Gateway to Export Markets

Aseptic filling creates shelf-stable products that do not require refrigeration. 

For Thai Coconut, aseptic PET opens export markets where cold chain infrastructure is unreliable. Unlike cans or cartons, PET bottles are lightweight, reducing shipping weight and transport emissions. 

The clarity of PET allows consumers to see the product inside, a differentiator for premium coconut juice. 

A main factor was compliance with US FDA requirements. Sidel said the aseptic PET line is FDA-ready, with 90 percent of production allocated to international markets.

Dry Preform Decontamination

Traditional wet sterilisation uses water and chemicals to rinse preforms before filling. Predis uses a dry method: hydrogen peroxide vapour is condensed onto the preform’s inner surface, then activated by heat. 

The process uses less water, less chemical, and less energy than wet systems. 

For a brand marketing sustainability credentials, the reduction supports environmental claims. 

Banraungsanor noted that Sidel’s packaging team also developed a new bottle design that enhances both marketing impact and shelf presence.

Production Efficiency

During customer validation, the line delivered 100 percent efficiency, meaning no unscheduled downtime. 

For a co-packer filling for export, efficiency directly affects unit cost and delivery reliability. Parkpoom Praprom, Sidel Southeast Asia Pacific sales director, explained that Sidel is recognised as a reliable partner for PET packaging and aseptic solutions, demonstrating commitment to customer performance. 

The line can make both carbonated soft drinks (CSD) and non-CSD aseptic drinks on the same line.

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