FRANCE - Sidel has launched a new Aseptic Knowledge Centre on its website, aiming to equip manufacturers with insights and resources in the growing sector of long shelf-life beverages. 

With a market demand increasingly focused on products like juices, ready-to-drink teas, isotonics, and liquid dairy products, Sidel’s initiative seeks to provide resources for handling the complexities of aseptic packaging. 

This platform includes detailed case studies, industry news, research findings, and Sidel's long-standing sustainability efforts.

Having led the industry in aseptic packaging solutions for over 50 years, Sidel's knowledge bank highlights developments in packaging safety, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability. 

These are areas of interest to both consumers and regulatory bodies, as health-oriented and nutritionally enriched beverages continue to gain traction globally. 

Within the Aseptic Knowledge Centre, industry players can access insights into Sidel’s recent solutions, such as the aseptic combined systems, which have been engineered to uphold product integrity while enhancing line safety and operational performance.

Innovation in aseptic packaging solutions

Over the years, aseptic packaging technology has evolved from labor-intensive systems requiring extensive clean-room operations to streamlined, more flexible solutions. 

One example highlighted in Sidel’s new Knowledge Centre is Predis, a dry aseptic preform sterilization system that reduces the sterile zone to the container itself. This process, now performed in standard blow-molding environments, is intended to simplify manufacturing operations while maintaining safety standards.

Sidel’s Knowledge Centre also showcases advancements in bottle design and industrialization, such as an ultra-light PET bottle for liquid dairy, which is crafted to meet the industry's high demands for efficiency and sustainability. 

In a competitive market, these innovations offer manufacturers a competitive advantage and reflect a growing trend toward resource-efficient, adaptable packaging solutions.

Damien Fournier, Vice President of Sidel’s Sensitive Portfolio, commented on the launch, noting the industry's focus on food safety and extended product shelf life. 

“The online Aseptic Knowledge Centre represents Sidel's commitment to providing expertise and insights in aseptic packaging, which are critical in addressing the demands for long-lasting product quality,” Fournier said.

Focus on operational efficiency and smart technologies

The Aseptic Knowledge Centre provides manufacturers with information on technologies designed to enhance flexibility and productivity. 

According to Sidel, its systems are committed to flexibility, which allows manufacturers to adjust between packaging formats with ease, minimizing downtime and preserving sterility. 

For instance, operational efficiency is supported by smart systems like Qual-IS, a quality management tool that leverages data analytics to monitor production quality in real-time, thus reducing the risk of human error and enhancing laboratory productivity.

As the aseptic packaging industry adapts to the changing demands of consumers and compliance requirements, Sidel’s Knowledge Centre provides guidance on maintaining operational efficiency. 

The agility of Sidel’s solutions, which range from manual adjustments to automated configurations, enables manufacturers to streamline production and respond to market demands quickly.

Sustainability and user-centered design at the forefront

In line with global trends, Sidel is advancing sustainable packaging initiatives through the use of materials such as recycled PET and energy-efficient technologies. Information within the Knowledge Centre includes Sidel’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact, reflected in systems that reduce energy consumption and generate minimal waste. 

The user-centered design also enhances ease of maintenance and reduces downtime, offering customers long-term cost savings and improved operational reliability.