Sidel’s aseptic Combi Predis FMa technology—which combines PET bottle blowing, filling, and capping in a single system—is now available in a high-speed version that handles up to 48,000 bottles/hr for small containers of up to 700 ml.

The SBO Compact2 reheat stretch-blow molding machine from Sidel, Norcross, Ga., features a newly developed stretching system for the preform.

The Bottle Switch is a patented quick-change system from Sidel (U.S. office in Norcross, Ga.) that reduces PET mold-change times to less than a minute.

Growing use of electric drives in blow molding machinery gathered steam at the K 2010 show, as suppliers rolled out new all-electric and hybrid models for extrusion blow, injection-blow, and stretch-blow production.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Smallest, lightest, hottest—the past year has seen three “firsts” for hot-fill PET containers.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: At last month’s Drinktec exhibition in Munich, Germany, Sidel of France introduced new technologies and services to produce more PET bottles faster with less energy consumption.

Several new developments include a brand-new compression blow process, the first foamed PET bottles, and a preform decontamination approach for aseptically filled products sold at ambient temperature. Attendees also saw a new stack-mold Multi-Parting Line concept that doubles bottle output within the same machine footprint. (Additional NPE blow molding news appeared in May and June—see Learn More box.)

A new linear stretch-blow molder with preferential heating produces flat and complex-shaped PET bottles at up to 5600 bottles/hr for household, personal-care, and pharmaceutical uses.

Sidel Inc., Norcross, Ga., has introduced the FlexLine system for high-speed form/fill/seal production of ultralight PET bottles.

Royal Philips Electronics, Somerset, N.J., and Sidel Inc., Norcross, Ga., have jointly developed infrared lamps that reportedly cut electricity use by 15% in PET bottle molding.

Development of all-electric and hybrid-electric blow molding machines may be gaining momentum, as evidenced by several new models introduced in Dusseldorf.

Optimum material distribution and lightweighting reportedly can be achieved with the first automatic process regulation system for rotary reheat stretch-blow machines.

Improved clarity and cost competitiveness, added to its inherent heat resistance, are reviving OPP’s prospects in hot-fill barrier containers. But hot-fill PET containers are raising the bar with higher productivity and ‘panel-less’ bottle designs.

What is said to be the first aluminum mold for heat-set PET bottles has been developed as an alternative to stainless steel.

A new line of high-speed Combi machines from Sidel Inc., Norcross, Ga., is said to produce 17 PET bottles/sec or about 61,200/hr.

There will be a strong emphasis on energy savings in blow molding machinery at K 2007.

Innovative barrier technologies to boost the shelf-life of PET bottles were introduced at the May SPE ANTEC 2007 conference in Cincinnati.

A new palletizing system for PET bottles is claimed to be 50% faster than previous systems.

The industry's first dry decontamination system for PET preforms is targeted for extended-shelf-life (ESL) products like dairy beverages and fruit juices.

Show-goers will see a range of new blow molding equipment that offers higher speeds, more cavitation, and faster changeovers.

Improving productivity while minimizing capital cost and floorspace will be central themes of blow molding exhibits at NPE 2006.

With single-serve containers raising shelf-life demands, packagers are seeking the barrier with the best cost-performance for PET bottles. Multilayer seems to have the upper hand, but monolayer, coating, and oxygen-scavenger technologies have all won niches.

Among the more unusual blow molding developments at K 2004 was a closed-loop control system that monitors and corrects material distribution in PET containers as they are produced.

Maybe this time the often-predicted breakthrough will actually occur. What could make the difference are improved resins, clarifiers, and machinery.

No Breakthrough in Beer, But Juice & Soda Surge Ahead

In a first for stretch-blow molding, Chicago-based Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc. (PPPI) is launching a family of polypropylene barrier food containers that are claimed to be as clear as multi-layer PET bottles.

Long-stroke machines go rotary, all-electrics grow larger,and PET bottles get a new “glass” coating. Visitors to the show got to see all these and more.