In response to the upcoming European regulations that emphasize the adoption of circular packaging and returnable bottles, Sidel has unveiled a dedicated PET bottle tailored for carbonated beverages, with a focus on long-lasting reusability.
The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation has set the stage for the promotion of a circular economy, placing returnable bottles at the forefront of beverage packaging. The directive aims to have 25 percent of bottles deemed reusable by 2040, driving a growing demand for returnable packaging and refillable production lines over the traditional food-grade bottle-to-bottle recycling process.
For packaging manufacturers seeking to introduce returnable bottles into the market, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) has emerged as the material of choice. PET offers the advantage of achieving lighter bottle weights and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
To cater to the needs of the returnable carbonated beverage bottle market, Sidel’s experts have engineered a PET bottle with a best-in-class weight, ensuring robustness that can withstand multiple washing cycles.
The key feature of this returnable packaging design is its ability to endure the test of time. Consumers can repeatedly return the same bottle into a deposit scheme, enabling it to be reused multiple times. This innovative bottle is qualified to withstand up to 25 refillable loops. Its dedicated blowing process, along with the preform and structural design, allows it to withstand high washing temperatures. The bottle is further fortified with a reinforced neck to ensure top-notch quality during neck-held washing and refill cycles.
An essential aspect of this endeavor is the drive towards lightweighting and increased sustainability. The structural design is available in various bottle formats, including 1L, 1.5L, and 2L, offering significant opportunities for weight reduction. For instance, the 1.5L bottle weighs just 77g, demonstrating a remarkable 28 percent weight reduction compared to the market average.
Even at the end of its useful life, this new returnable bottle can be fully recycled into a new bottle, maintaining the circularity of PET.
Sidel, with over forty years of expertise in PET packaging, blowing, and complete production lines, offers tailored solutions to support beverage producers in transitioning to returnable bottles. Their EvoBLOW eHR range is a noteworthy solution that enhances preform reheating capability and facilitates blowing bottles in hot molds. This translates to improved bottle performance and an impressive output of up to 1,300 bottles per hour per mold for carbonated soft drinks and carbonated water in a 1L bottle.