EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 04/22 www.petpla.net 28 recently entered the highly demanding USA market. In the last two years, we have been expanding our sales efforts globally”. The company headquarters with its striking blue contours, very similar to the blue and white logo of Cypet Technologies, highlights the firm’s Greek roots. According to Mr Sideris, the industrial area of Dali offers good infrastructure, not only in terms of technology but also logistically, with access to local skilled workers in and around Nicosia and the port of Limassol only 40 minutes away from where the machines are shipped. There is still enough space next to the building, which has already been acquired for possible future expansion. Upon entering the premises, a staircase to the right of the reception area leads to the upper floor from where people get their first glimpse of Cypet’s assembly hall below through various glass panes. Up to seven machines can be shipped to international customers from here every year. The offices of the management and sales teams are situated opposite the glass panes. Moving along the corridor, we came to the hall itself where four machines were standing close to one another. “The two machines at the back have been ordered from the USA and Mexico”, Michalis explained, pointing to the opposite end of the hall. “They will be shipped to customers soon.” Using a one-cavity mould injection, the K53 machine intended for Mexico is going to produce stackable PET crates for fruit packaging. Another machine, a K38, is used in-house to develop the next generation stackable containers for cooking and engine oils made from virgin PET and rPET. Incidentally, we did learn in conversation that the machines can process up to 100% of recycled PET. “Our typical client base demands flexibility in terms of package size and design”, says Mr Sideris. The K53, with its ability to produce large-sized containers, or smaller ones with multiple cavities is Cypet’s best-seller. “Our customers are very cost-sensitive, but they are also pioneers who are willing to try new technologies or introduce new upgraded products in their markets, because they see the benefits”, said CEO Constantinos Sideris who holds a Chemical Engineering Degree from Cambridge University and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as 37 years’ experience in the plastics industry. He summed up the advantages of single-stage technology by saying: “Our production costs per container are minimal, which is extremely important when it comes to price-sensitive products. Secondly, special container designs can be produced that stand out in the market and which are ideal in terms of weight versus quality. And given no preforms are required, there is no need for storage space, logistics and energy consumption for their conversion.” Twenty-seven people are employed at the Dali plant and 15 in India. The Dali workshop area measures 330m2 with production output twice as big. Another design and manufacturing facility has been added in India to support the local market. Individual parts and material are mainly supplied by well-known international providers, as are the moulds. “However, we do have the necessary equipment to produce the moulds ourselves and do so in some cases, depending on the situation”, said Michalis as he showed us around the workshop. Maintenance, refurbishment and upgrading of the moulds also takes place here. As we toured the plant, the issue of changes brought about by the pandemic was constantly cropping up so we asked about them more specifiF.l.t.r.: Constantinos Sideris with Michalis Sideris in the office with a PET drum produced using Cypet equipment Demonstration and water bottle production on a K28 machine A PET container produced on a K38 model for engine oil
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