IFFCO Group, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is installing Sidel's complete PET lines in Al-Ain, UAE and a new facility in Baghdad, Iraq.
The PET lines have a reported capacity of up to 9,000 bottles per hour (bph) and the flexibility to handle three bottle designs, two cap options and three label variations.
The upstream part of the line contains the compact blow/fill/cap Combi solution, which integrates Serac's accurate weight filler. The Combi's blowing part also benefits from preferential heating technology, which optimises PET distribution while allowing the asymmetrical stretching needed to blow flat and shaped containers.
Down the line, the AQFlex smooth contactless accumulation and conveying system contributes to bottle integrity during the transfer from the Combi to the labeller.
For secondary packaging, the Cermex WB46 case packer performs case squaring and hot melt sealing, despite limited counterpressure provided as a result of the shaped bottles inside the wrap-around outer packaging.
End-of-line efficiency is later delivered through the RoboAccess robotic palletiser, which comprises a gripping tool for cases, interlayers and pallets.
IFFCO Group Culinary CEO Andrey Dribny comments: "We are committed to embracing sustainability and moving beyond light-weighting efforts. Recognising the potential of r-PET as the future, we will rely on Sidel's technological support and knowledge to navigate our path forward."
IFCCO Group operates in more than 100 countries with 80+ brands and employs more than 15,000 individuals.
Recently, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) announced its partnership with Sidel to move to a lighter neck for its carbonated soft drinks plastic bottles.
