Aseptic filling of sensitive beverages

Sidel’s Predis dry preform decontamination system, initially used for beverages distributed in the cold chain, can now also be used for products sold at ambient temperature.

Combi Predis FMa is a simple system for blowing bottles and filling sensitive products in aseptic conditions. The key feature setting the system apart from other equipment of the same type is its ‘dry preform technology’: bottle rinsing is replaced with dry preform sterilisation at oven entrance, using hydrogen peroxide vapour.

Combi Predis FMa combines the Predis solution with Sidel’s latest aseptic filling technology, the Sensofill FMa, in a single piece of equipment for blow moulding, filling and capping.

The dry sterilisation solution for preforms ensures good hygiene for sensitive beverages while offering cost-effectiveness along with product and environmental benefits. Predis dry-solution decontaminates preforms using hydrogen peroxide mist: it requires no water, reduces the use of chemical agents and creates no effluent. Other benefits include energy savings, a smaller footprint and the potential for lighter bottles: high-temperature sterilisation of preforms instead of bottles avoids thermal stress on empty bottles.

PET is the dominant packaging material for juices, nectars and teas, and a growing alternative for milk. Treating low-acid beverages at ambient temperature, such as milk and other dairy products, which are extremely delicate and require even more careful handling, is a real challenge. In collaboration with a dairy producer, Sidel is now crossing the final frontier: aseptic bottling of UHT milk with the Combi Predis FMa.