Refresco has partnered with Sidel to implement the EvoBLOW Laser technology for PET bottle blowing in Germany, moving away from traditional halogen-based methods.
The technology, which has been running at Refresco for more than a year, differs from older methods by using laser-powered heating instead of halogen lamps to prepare bottle preforms.
This allows for more precise heating, with control over up to 36 individual heating lines per preform.
Through this approach, Refresco reported having cut the material content in its 1.5l PET bottles by as much as 15% while maintaining quality standards.
The process is also said to streamline operations, particularly when using recycled PET (rPET) content.
The system has been tested at Refresco with bottles made from up to 100% rPET, and with standard bottle recipes containing 50% and 70% rPET.
Refresco PET expert Daniel Debruijn said: “Every day, I manage many changes of preform or material. With the traditional halogen oven, we often have to adjust the process multiple times. With the laser, you reload a new recipe, start the blower, and the bottle is right the first time.
“The stability and simplicity of process settings make unplanned stops stress-free for the operators. By eliminating warm-up and cool-down time, this stable technology is always ready, increasing productivity.”
Sidel said that the laser heating method also leads to reduce energy consumption during bottle manufacturing.
Refresco collaborated with Sidel throughout the trial phase, providing an industrial setting for the technology’s rollout.
Sidel Europe and Central Asia customer management EVP Marina De Barros commented: “Trust is something Sidel and Refresco have built over time, across several innovations and shared projects.
"We are working side by side with Refresco, sharing and exchanging on market trends and business challenges. This guides us to continuously adapt and develop the technologies of the future.”
Earlier this week, Britannia Industries installed its first aseptic PET packaging line for dairy products, using equipment supplied by Sidel.
