Grupo GEPP, the exclusive bottler for PepsiCo in Mexico, has announced the installation of expanded bottling lines for returnable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and glass, in collaboration with Sidel.

This initiative aims to achieve a 10% increase in returnable packaging solutions by 2030.

Operating 44 production facilities across Mexico, Grupo GEPP manufactures and distributes bottles for brands such as Pepsi, 7Up, Gatorade, and Lipton, in addition to its own brands, E-pura and Garci-Crespo.

The company has been actively pursuing PepsiCo’s strategy to reduce virgin plastic consumption since 2018.

This strategy includes a target to reduce virgin plastic per serving by 50%, increase the returnable packaging offering from 10% to 20% by 2030, and reach net-zero emissions by 2040.

In 2018, Sidel assisted GEPP in installing a partial returnable glass bottle line at its Puebla facility, which led to the launch of a universal returnable glass bottle designed to enhance production efficiency and material recycling.

Subsequent collaborations included the establishment of a combined returnable PET and glass line in Apodaca in 2019, followed by a complete returnable PET line in Guadalajara in 2020.

This line was designed to accommodate 2,000ml, 2,500ml, and 3,000ml formats, with future provisions for reusable glass. Additional returnable PET and glass lines were introduced in Merida in 2021.

The new lines incorporate the Hydra bottle washer, which enhances washing effectiveness while reducing chemical and water consumption, thereby lowering total ownership costs.

The EvoFILL Glass probe filler is also featured, offering improved flexibility and hygiene conditions.

Sidel account manager Ascención Sánchez said: “This ongoing collaboration exemplifies how long-term partnerships - grounded in reliability, service excellence, and technical knowledge-sharing - can enhance operational efficiency, support sustainable business practices, and help customers successfully navigate the evolving demands of the beverage industry.”

Grupo GEPP reports that its partnership with Sidel has resulted in a 30% increase in incremental PET volume, contributing to a reduction in virgin resin usage.

From 2018 to 2023, the company claims a 73.3% increase in the volume of returnable PET and glass packaging, with a growth baseline rising from 100% in 2018 to 173.3% in 2023.