Manufacturer marks 15 years of aseptic PET packaging

Founded in the 1950s, Hauser Weinimport is a family-run beverage company based in Bavaria, Germany. The company originally focused on producing vermouths and liqueurs; now, its offering mostly consists of non-alcoholic soft drinks and flavoured teas in PET bottles, including the brands Pacific Wave, Bio Eistee and Eistee Premium. Hauser is recognised as a leading company in the beverage industry and a reliable co-packer for multiple brands.

Over 15 years ago, Hauser Weinimport was one of the first manufacturers to install Sidel’s Combi Predis for aseptic PET packaging with patented dry preform sterilisation technology. The line has now produced over 600 million bottles, offering the manufacturer both product and operational reliability.

“Hauser Weinimport is always looking at trends and striving for innovation. This is what we found in common with Sidel,” said Marlene Mayer, CEO at Hauser Weinimport.

Flexible manufacturing

The aseptic line, installed by Sidel at its Fischbach plant, offers the beverage producer total flexibility, with an ability to fill different tea flavours and the signature Sangria beverage, El Curador. The line can operate at 18,000 bottles per hour in the 0.5 L format; it can also handle 1 and 1.5 L bottle formats.

“When the thread neck diameter remains unchanged, as it does with many of our products, our highly trained operators can complete product changeovers quickly, minimising system downtime,” said Florian Kotnig, Head of Production at Hauser Weinimport.

Pioneering aseptic Predis technology

Hauser’s line was the first in Germany to utilise Sidel’s patented Predis dry preform sterilisation, which works by using hydrogen peroxide mist to sterilise the preform before it enters the oven to be blown into a bottle. Packaging remains aseptic without the need for rinsing with water or any other chemicals.

The aseptic line has supported Hauser’s product quality, streamlining operations and boosting consumer confidence.

“The fundamental advantages of this state-of-the technology include its optimal filling conditions and food safety for our beverages; low operating costs; resource savings; and its compact design,” Kotnig said.

A close working relationship

Kotnig added that from the very beginning, the Sidel system was well-thought-out, fitting within a compact footprint and designed for durability.

“Sidel is committed to delivering top-tier support to ensure the reliability of the Aseptic Combi Predis, continuously modernising production with innovations like new bottle formats and converting lines to tethered caps,” he said.

Kotnig also praised Sidel’s comprehensive maintenance services and advanced care systems. “Based on preventive planned maintenance, Sidel technicians run regular diagnostic checks on our machinery when in operation and during maintenance, creating reports and measures to ensure the line remains running at peak performance.

“We can always count on Sidel’s support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via remote access or by phone,” Kotnig added.

“Above all, product quality is a must for Hauser and it is with this in mind that we originally installed the aseptic packaging line from Sidel. The close working relationship between Sidel and Hauser contributes to the maximum productivity with minimum operational interruptions,” he concluded.

Images courtesy of Sidel.