Sidel introduces Super Combi Compact for PET bottled water

Two years after the introduction of the Super Combi to the industry for compact lines’ solutions, today, Sidel presents a next-generation solution Super Combi Compact that, as indicated in its name, is even more compact. Allowing up to 30% footprint reduction compared to the previous model, the solution also excites with the efficiency enhancement it assures for still water production due to the new filling technology embedded in the Sidel EvoFILL HS Still that guarantees a 30% faster performance.

Considering that customers worldwide are seeking possibilities to optimize resources and space required for production, Sidel has developed a ready-made solution to fit any production site as footprint as well as line integration and planning are important drivers at the very center of Sidel’s technological advancement. With Super Combi Compact, Sidel presents an innovative product designed and engineered to deliver the lowest total costs of ownership (TCO), and production costs each square foot.

Sidel is a leading provider of equipment and services solutions for packaging beverage, food, home, and personal care products in PET, cans, glass, and other materials. To date, the company has installed over 40,000 machines in more than 190 countries, including India.

Growing demand for packaged water

“We see that the water category has been seeing an unprecedented growth fueled by a worldwide increase in demand. Due to consumers’ rising health consciousness paired with the trend towards so-called “better-for-you drinks”, the packaged water category has remained at the forefront of consumer purchasing decisions since 2018,” explains Stefano Baini, product manager- Filling and Super Combi at Sidel.

Performance and productivity

Super Combi Compact integrates five process steps – preform feeder, blower, labeler, filler or capper, and cap feeder – into an all-in-one, smart system. According to the press statement, the new solutions claim to offer continuous high-level performance in a reduced space, which is up to 54,000 bottles in an hour (bph). Furthermore, its ergonomics and the latest technologies support easy access, operation, and maintenance while ensuring high end-product quality.

Sidel also claims that the overall higher efficiency of the solution is achieved by offering maximum uptime and consistent production output at medium to high speed. The line’s maximum productivity is reached, particularly due to improvements at the blowing, filling and labeling stages. Some of the other important improvements include the blower can produce up to 2,700 bph each mould.

Furthermore, a robotic arm solution for automatic mold changeover is now available to drastically reduce changeover time and improve safety conditions by not requiring any human intervention. Labeling is assured by a single-aggregate labeling system, ensuring reliable production as well as fast and easy label-reel auto splicing. In addition, Super Combi Compact’s labeler technology features faster changeovers and easy replacement of parts as well as an automatic label vacuum extractor for maximized uptime. The labeler can accommodate different labels and technologies (Roll-fed, PSL).

Sidel EvoFILL HS Still filling technology

According to the company, Sidel EvoFILL HS Still is the most impressive part of the new Super Combi Compact. This new filler with proportional filling valves, controlled by electromagnetic actuators guarantees a 30% faster filling with total control and accuracy when it comes to dosing the liquid into its designated container. This filling technology claims to allow for highest precision in modulating the beverage flow, as the plunger inside the filling valve can individually be moved to an infinite number of positions. This results in maximum freedom in terms of different beverage types to be filled, and different optimum filling speeds and levels. Furthermore, the new hygienic valve design with no beverage membrane assures beverage quality with no flavor carry-over.

EvoFILL HS Still is said to be a simplified solution characterized by fewer components and functions, resulting in fewer maintenance costs, and a highly reduced filler footprint with less filling valves. Additionally, the filler features an onboard beverage tank, further contributing to minimizing the required floor space. It might also be equipped with an Integrated Cleaning System (ICS), cutting down on water and chemical consumption for internal cleaning as well as – again – on floor space by rendering the need for an external cleaning in place system and additional tanks unnecessary.

“Its new, compact design and innovative filling technology make it an ideal solution for maximizing production and increasing line efficiency – allowing producers to make the most of their existing space or new greenfield project,” Baini concludes.