PETpla.net Insider 04 / 2018

BOTTLING / FILLING PET planet Insider Vol. 19 No. 04/18 www.petpla.net 34 fully automated without compromising system sterility. This new technology uses a counter-pressure, volumetric electronic filling valve and is suit- able for a wide range of applications, including high and low acid beverages and aseptic soft drinks with varying carbonation levels, all the while ensur- ing complete sterility. It can fill prod- ucts with fibres up to 20mm long and with diameters of 3mm. Bottle size and shape – which are just as impor- tant for attracting consumer attention – can be easily adapted. The ABCs of ABF The GEA aseptic dual filling pro- cess can be applied to any beverage filling platform but achieves maximum flexibility when used in conjunction with an Aseptic Blow Filling (ABF) line. The key principle involves sterilising the preforms (as opposed to the bottles) with hydrogen peroxide as they exit the oven. The bottles are then blown using sterile air in a sterile environment, which is maintained from filling to cap- ping. Sterilising the preform instead of We care about your performance. CAREFORMANCE STAY FLAKESIBLE. DIFFERENT INPUT. STABLE OUTPUT. VISIT US: CHINAPLAS, Shanghai / China 24 – 27 April 2018 Hall 2H, Booth 2B59 NPE 2018, Orlando / USA 7 – 11 May 2018 Booth 1249 ACUREMA ® Inline Sheet and Preform Flexible for sure: from varying wall thicknesses, IV values and input materials such as PET bottle flakes, skeleton waste, edge trim or mixtures of them directly to the end product in stable, top quality. Food contact compliance included. That’s Careformance! the bottle reduces the amount of steri- lising agent required since the preform is smaller and has a simpler shape. And because the preform is made of thicker material than the bottle, it’s pos- sible to increase the temperature of the treatment without the risk of shrinkage. This means the bottle weight can be kept to an absolute minimum. Ulti- mately, this GEA development means manufacturers can experiment and be more creative with bottle designs, making them more ergonomic or visu- ally attractive, which is a win-win in the cluttered retail environment. Ready to cap At the end of the filling cycle, the containers must be sealed before exiting the controlled environment to avoid recontamination. Cappers are therefore integrated into the micro- biological isolator and specifically designed for aseptic applications. Aseptic dual fill technology can be used with the entire range of GEA fill- ing/capping systems including GEA’s Sterilfoil VHP L closure system. Flexibility for efficient production The rising consumer demand for more sustainably produced, diverse liquid food choices, shows no sign of waning. Luckily, today’s manufactur- ers have access to superior pasteuri- zation and aseptic dual fill technolo- gies which allow for gentle processing while extending product shelf life, without the need for preservatives. These new advances make experi- mentation more affordable and ensure products get to market more quickly. And the improvements in the overall efficiency of the process means both manufacturers and consumers can feel better about these time-saving products. www.gea.com