Sidel has introduced the EvoBLOW XL machine, designed specifically for large PET containers, expanding its blowing capabilities to cater for sizes up to 10 litres, and targeting markets that include water, edible oil, and the food industry.
Backed by over four decades of experience in the packaging and blowing industry, Sidel's EvoBLOW XL is set to redefine the production of large containers, the company says. Boasting 75 per cent of shared components with its existing EvoBLOW range, this solution builds on Sidel's track record of performance and is versatile enough to cater to various markets. Furthermore, the company is already working on future developments to adapt this technology for hot-fill products.
In a world where consumer demands are in a constant state of flux, the packaging industry is in dire need of solutions that can handle larger formats without compromising user-friendliness and ergonomics. Sidel says it has stepped up to the challenge by launching the EvoBLOW XL, describing it as a "groundbreaking blowing machine" that promises to produce larger bottles with unparalleled production efficiency.
This new addition to Sidel's portfolio not only delivers exceptional packaging quality but, the company notes, also upholds safety and sustainability, with seamless connectivity to the Evo-ON software suite, a tool designed to optimise production lines.
High productivity and flexible production
The EvoBLOW XL comes as a standalone machine or it can be integrated into a combi solution, offering versatility that delivers top-tier quality and extended performance across a range of bottle formats, from 8 to 10 litres. Its flexible oven configurations, coupled with a variety of bottleneck dimensions, make it adept at handling a wide array of large bottles, thereby complementing Sidel's existing complete line capabilities for large containers.
In terms of output, the machine can reach up to 18,000 bottles per hour (bph) and Sidel claims a proven Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of 98 per cent. Designed with customer convenience in mind, it incorporates several features that ensure efficient changeovers, including an ergonomic embedded mould handling tool that simplifies heavy mould positioning and guarantees safety. Additionally, the mobile mould storage unit provides rapid and secure access to moulds close to the machine. The EvoBLOW XL can also seamlessly integrate with other Sidel solutions, such as the ultrarapid changeover system, Bottle Switch.
A cost-efficient and sustainable solution
With the ever-growing demand for recycled PET (rPET), the EvoBLOW XL has been engineered to address the challenges associated with rPET grades and has demonstrated its process capabilities, ranging from virgin PET to up to 100 per cent rPET. Furthermore, it presents opportunities for lightweighting, enabling customers to realise substantial savings on PET costs while minimising CO2 emissions. This includes the possibility to transition from HDPE to PET large bottles, further reducing the carbon footprint. Additionally, the new design of the blowing circuits and valves aids in reducing energy consumption, contributing to its sustainability benefits.
Despite its sustainability focus, Sidel says the EvoBLOW XL remains cost-effective, maintaining impressive levels of efficiency with high market outputs, making it a financially prudent choice for businesses in the packaging industry.
Sidel says its EvoBLOW XL guarantees an optimal blowing process, ensuring the creation of attractive bottle designs with high performance and user-friendly solutions.
The machine employs an optimised process and blowing curve, featuring a new powerful blowing circuit and valves to achieve perfect material distribution at speeds of 1500 bph per mould while maintaining low blowing pressure and high bottle quality.
