BEVERAGE solutions provider Refresco is said to be reaping the benefits after investing in Sidel’s EvoBLOW Laser technology.
The innovation has been in operation at Refresco’s site in Bruchsal, Germany for over a year after the firm sought to lightweight its 1.5L PET bottle while maintaining ‘consistent, top-quality’ performance.
Unlike traditional halogen-powered preform heating, Sidel explained this laser-powered solution enables ‘precise, pinpoint preform heating’, with full control and up to 36 heating lines along the preform.
Gabriele Luna, head of indirect procurement at Refresco, said, “We’ve been able to lightweight the bottles while keeping them robust and strong. For us, the real value is the level of control and stability this technology brings to everyday production.
“Innovations like this support Refresco’s broader ambition to continuously reduce material use, increase recycled content and improve operational efficiency across our European footprint. What’s important for us is that new technologies are scalable, industrially robust and ready for high‑volume operations – that’s where they start to make a difference.”
Lightweighting without sacrificing bottle performance is described as a key advantage of the EvoBLOW Laser, and Refresco was able to reduce its material use by up to 15% without compromise.
The technology is also designed to improve line operations and ease and efficiency, especially when working with recycled PET (rPET).
EvoBLOW Laser has been tested at Refresco with up to 100% rPET and produces bottles with 50% and 70% rPET with the same blowing recipe. It also saves energy during production.
Daniel Debruijn, PET expert at Refresco, added, “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.”
