Aseptic filling of sensitive beverages in PET: Predis, the dry alternative

Predis™, Sidel’s patented dry preform decontamination system initially used for beverages distributed in the cold chain, can now also be used for products sold at ambient temperature. Dry technology for aseptic filling of sensitive products promises to be a major break with the past.



Aseptic packaging is used to extend the shelf life of sensitive drinks (juice, tea, flavored water and energy drinks) sold at room temperature. In response to evolving consumer preference and increasingly strict food regulations, aseptic filling creates the opportunity for sensitive beverages packaged with preservatives to reformulate naturally.



Combi PredisTM FMa is Sidel’s innovative, simple system for blowing bottles and filling sensitive products in aseptic conditions. The key feature setting the system apart from other equipment of the same type is its “dry preform technology”: bottle rinsing is replaced with dry preform sterilization at oven entrance, using hydrogen peroxide vapor (H2O2). Combi Predis™ FMa combines the Predis™ solution with Sidel’s newest aseptic filling technology, the Sensofill™ FMa, in a single equipment for blow molding, filling and capping.



Cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits

The dry sterilization solution for preforms has huge benefits. Predis™ ensures superior hygiene for sensitive beverages while offering unrivaled cost-effectiveness along with product and environmental benefits. While 250 m³ of water and 200 liters of chemicals are used daily to decontaminate bottles on a traditional aseptic bottling line, Predis™ dry-solution decontaminates preforms using hydrogen peroxide mist: it requires no water, extremely reduces the use of chemical agents and creates no effluent. Other benefits include energy savings, a smaller footprint and the potential for lighter bottles: high-temperature sterilization of preforms instead of bottles avoids thermal stress on empty bottles.



The Combi PredisTM FMa has already been selected by some beverage producers in Europe and North America.



A new frontier

PET is the dominant packaging material for juices, nectars and teas, and a growing alternative for milk. Treating low-acid beverages at ambient temperature,





such as milk and other dairy products, which are extremely delicate and require even more careful handling, is a real challenge. In collaboration with a dairy producer, Sidel is now crossing the final frontier: aseptic bottling of UHT milk with the Combi Predis™ FMa.



Predis™ goes to the movies

Sidel is presenting the new applications of Predis™ on a dedicated website. On this website, Predis™ has become the superhero of a unique video. View it at www.predis.biz













The Sidel Group

With over 30,000 machines installed in 190 countries and annual sales of 1.22 billion euros in 2007, the Sidel Group is one of the world leaders in solutions for packaging liquid foods including water, soft drinks, milk, sensitive beverages, edible oil, beer and other alcoholic beverages. Sidel currently has production facilities in a total of 13 countries as well as sales and service branches centrally located in some 30 countries. Worldwide, more than 5,500 employees supply customers with complete bottling solutions that include package design, line engineering, packaging machines and related services. Find out more about Sidel at www.sidel.com