PETpla.net Insider 12 / 2011

BOTTLING / FILLING 27 PET planet insider Vol. 12 No. 12/11 www.petpla.net Natural par excellence Safi natural mineral water is known throughout Egypt for its high qual- ity and many beneficial properties. Thanks to modern and sophisticated systems, water is extracted from a spring in the Siwa Oasis at a depth of 1,000m, from which it reaches the surface in a pure and uncontaminated state. As evidence of these charac- teristics, the National Company for Producing and Bottling natural water & olive oils obtained the ISO 9001: 2008 certification for its quality management system. In addition, production takes place under the direct supervision of the Ministry for Health and in accord- ance with international quality stand- ards. Safi water is particularly recom- mended for diets that are lacking in sodium and is free from iron and man- ganese. Its high fluorine content helps to protect the teeth. In all stages of pro- duction, the Egyptian company uses fully automated machinery, to which, in response to growing market demand, a new bottling line has recently been added. Engineering study and implementation Asked about the main factors that led Safi – National Co. for Pro- ducing and Bottling to invest in a new 6,000bph bottling line, Gen. M. Moawad of Safi Bottling Water responds: “Primarily, the strong increase in demand for Safi water. In order to bring our production capacity in line with market demand, it was absolutely essential to purchase a new 6,000bph PET line, which included a four cavity Smiform stretch-blow moulder for pro- ducing containers of 0.2/0.66/1.5l. The new facility will allow Safi to increase sales in Egypt and also to satisfy demand coming from abroad.” The engineering study of the line for the new 6,000bph system was entrusted to SMI. The SMI project managers looked very closely into the production requirements of the National Co. for Producing and Bottling water & oils. Following a preliminary study, several inspection visits to the Sawi Oasis and careful evaluation of all logistical aspects, they drew up a technical solution which was in line with the company’s requirements, both in terms of production and finance. In order to guarantee maximum operating efficiency of the line, SMI also pre- sented the customer with an accurate analysis of the cost dynamics (Total Cost of Operation), a 3D graphical simulation of the new system and a detailed study of the interactions between the different machines which co-exist on the line. All the Smiline conveyors were designed to respond appropriately to requests for fluid- ity and flexibility. The SMI systems allow, among other things, for optimal management of product flows, thanks to a careful study of the dynamics of accumulation, distribution and move- ment of the loose containers and pack- aged products. The modular structure of the Smiline conveyors easily adapts to various types of bottles and product flows, with format changeover times reduced to a minimum, which allows for the rapid switch from one type of production to another. A Smiform SR 4 rotary stretch-blow moulder has been placed at the “head” of the bottling line, which is capable of producing up to 7,200bph. M. Moawad comments: “During the process of growth of any company it is absolutely essential to have at your side an established and well-organised supplier, which guar- antees that our company achieves maximum production efficiency in the quickest possible time. The technical solutions adopted by SMI for this pro- ject were designed with our require- ments for rapid returns on investment and maximum energy saving in mind.” Bottle design The design and creation of the new PET containers of 0.25l / 0.66l / 1.5l, created by the Smiform designers, took account of the functional, economical and aesthetical requirements of the customer. The “design” of the new Safi water PET bottles is actually inspired by the Egyptian company’s image and its logo, which includes the symbols for the sun, water and palm trees. In addition to their “design”, the ”appeal” of the new PET containers results from the accuracy and precision with which Smiform has created the moulds used to produce them. www.smigroup.it