SIG reduces water consumption on filling machines up to 50%

Innovative technical upgrades by SIG have now made it possible to reduce water consumption up to 50% on new and already installed third-generation filling machines. This important breakthrough is another step forward on SIG’s way beyond good journey – its roadmap to becoming a net positive business.

Founded in 1853 and headquartered in Neuhausen, Switzerland, SIG is a systems and solutions provider for aseptic carton packaging. The company collaborates with its customers to bring food and beverage products to consumers worldwide in a safe, sustainable, and affordable way.

The company said that this latest water-saving innovation would be included on all new SIG high-speed filling machines, which can fill 24,000 small-size carton packs an hour. The new technology is also available on most filling machines for carton packs with a size of up to 1.100 ml with a capacity of 12,000 carton packs an hour. Most of SIG’s third-generation filling machines for small and medium-size carton packs can also be fitted with a newly developed and easy-to-fit water reduction conversion kit, which halves water consumption by saving approximately up to 350 liters an hour.

As food and beverage companies prioritize the environmental impact of products to minimize their overall footprint, packaging plays an important part in the product lifecycle. SIG said its carton packs offer proven environmental benefits compared to other packaging alternatives, and SIG continues to work closely with customers to reduce impact across the entire value chain. With a waste rate of below 0.5%, SIG claims that its fast and efficient filling technology plays a significant role in minimizing overall waste in its customers’ factories.

Holger Schmidt, head of Product Management Technology at SIG, said, “Our new water consumption saving technology, including the conversion kit, ensures water pressure is reduced, water flows more slowly and less is consumed, saving up to 350 liters an hour. The saving in water consumption will ensure the new technology pays for itself in the longer term – a benefit to both business and the environment.”

In the last two years, SIG’s technical updates have helped its customers in Europe save more than 115 tons in CO2 emissions and 25,000m3 of water. SIG will continue to work closely with customers to increase efficiency, cut operating costs, and reduce environmental impact, it said.

Schmidt continued, “Our latest innovation enables our customers to save water consumption quickly and easily and is a further step on our way beyond good journey. We continue to make our filling machines as efficient as possible to minimize operating costs and environmental impact.”