PET Blowing Technology for Sauce Packaging Expansion

Ducona Holland BV has expanded its PET packaging capabilities by integrating Sidel’s SBO 8 EvoBLOW system with Preferential Heating technology, enabling the production of flat containers for sauces within high-throughput industrial environments.

Context of the Cooperation
Ducona, a Netherlands-based manufacturer of PET bottles, has collaborated with Sidel for over three decades to support its transition from standard bottle production to diversified, high-value packaging. The company operates in markets including water, juices, and syrups, and recently extended its portfolio to sauces, which require more complex container geometries.

This cooperation addresses the technical challenge of producing flat and shaped PET containers while maintaining material efficiency, process stability, and compatibility with recycled PET (rPET). The complexity of these requirements, particularly in high-speed production, necessitates integration between advanced blowing equipment and process control technologies.

Technical Solution and Responsibilities
The deployed solution is based on Sidel’s SBO 8 EvoBLOW platform, equipped with Preferential Heating technology. Sidel provides the blowing system, heating architecture, mold integration, and process engineering support, while Ducona operates the production lines and manages material input and logistics.

Preferential Heating enables selective thermal conditioning of PET preforms, allowing precise material distribution during the stretch-blow molding process. This is particularly relevant for flat or asymmetrical containers, where uniform material stretching is difficult to achieve using conventional heating methods.

The system supports:

Additional features include a double air recovery system, which reduces compressed air consumption, and compatibility with rapid mold change systems to support multiple formats.

Deployment and Implementation
The EvoBLOW system has been integrated into Ducona’s existing production infrastructure, which handles more than 300 million bottles annually across over 500 SKUs. Implementation included configuration of heating profiles, mold adaptation for flat bottle geometries, and optimization of process parameters for rPET variability.

Sidel provided end-to-end support, including packaging design, mold development, system commissioning, and operator training. The equipment is designed for quick format changes, supporting Ducona’s requirement for delivery within 48 hours.

Applications and Use Cases
The primary application is the production of flat PET containers for sauces, which require controlled wall thickness distribution and stable base geometry. Additional use cases include packaging for beverages such as juices, syrups, and smoothies.

The solution supports industrial automation in packaging lines by enabling consistent quality across variable product formats and materials. It also integrates into broader digital infrastructure through process monitoring and performance optimization tools.

Results and Expected Impact
The system delivers measurable improvements in production efficiency and material usage:

Operationally, the solution enhances flexibility by enabling rapid changeovers and consistent output across diverse packaging formats. This supports Ducona’s expansion into new market segments while maintaining production efficiency and sustainability targets.

Edited by an industrial journalist, Sucithra Mani, with AI assistance.

www.sidel.com