PETpla.net Insider 06 / 2023

No. 06 2023 www.petpla.net D 51178; ISSN: 1438-9452 26 . 06 . 23 PETplanet is read in more than 140 countries MAGAZ I NE FOR BOT T L E R S AND BOT T L E - MAK E R S IN THE AMER ICAS, AS IA, EUROPE AND AL L AROUND THE PLANET MARKETsurvey Suppliers of 2-stage SBM machinery Page 23 FILLING Page 14

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imprint EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Alexander Büchler, Managing Director HEAD OFFICE heidelberg business media GmbH Hubweg 15 74939 Zuzenhausen, Germany phone: +49 6221-65108-0 fax: +49 6221-65108-28 info@petpla.net EDITORIAL Kay Barton Heike Fischer Gabriele Kosmehl Michael Maruschke Ruari McCallion Anthony Withers WikiPETia. info petplanet@petpla.net MEDIA CONSULTANTS Martina Hirschmann hirschmann@petpla.net Johann Lange-Brock lange-brock@petpla.net phone: +49 6221-65108-0 fax: +49 6221-65108-28 LAYOUT AND PREPRESS EXPRIM Werbeagentur | exprim.de Matthias Gaumann READER SERVICES reader@petpla.net PRINT Chroma Druck Eine Unternehmung der Limberg-Druck GmbH Danziger Platz 6 67059 Ludwigshafen, Germany WWW www.hbmedia.net | www.petpla.net PETplanet Insider ISSN 1438-9459 is published 10 times a year. This publication is sent to qualified subscribers (1-year subscription 149 EUR, 2-year subscription 289 EUR, Young professionals’ subscription 99 EUR. Magazines will be dispatched to you by airmail). Not to be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. Note: The fact that product names may not be identified as trademarks is not an indication that such names are not registered trademarks. 3 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net Dear readers, New horizon for packaging This year’s London Wine Fair, held at the Kensington Olympia Exhibition Centre, had a very strong theme of sustainability. A panel discussion on alternative packaging materials included representatives from Laylo, which sells premium boxed wines, Frugalpac, which makes bottles from recycled paper, and British retailers Tesco and Waitrose. Samples of cans and PET bottles were passed among the audience, which appeared to be quite open to ideas. A number of the exhibitors were actively seeking to change their packaging models. Shelf life is undeniably shorter in non-glass packages but, as most wine is bought by consumers for drinking the same day, is it really the major issue often claimed? Market considerations seem to be leading producers into actively consider different packaging for different markets. Handy 250 or 330ml cans of wine were promoted for relaxed, informal, social events. Laylo boxes offer six week life for red wine once opened. Petainer, who we spoke to (see separate article p. 8) talked of six to 18 months for PET bottles, depending on construction. However, shelf life is important for some. I spoke to a Cava producer from NE Spain, who present their wine as a premium product, are not considering PET. They cited the practicalities of packaging a carbonated product but there was also indication of strong cultural resistance. Help may be at hand. Sipa have developed a high-quality PET bottle specifically for sparkling wines (see article on p. 35). It weighs just 90 g – more than 80% lighter than the glass equivalent’s 750 g. Porto Protocol, based in Portugal, is a forum for exchanging ideas and innovations to improve sustainability, extending across 20 countries. One of its headline figures is that around 40% of the wine industry’s carbon emissions are from production and transportation of heavy glass bottles. Kakoulidis Vineyards, one of the new and growing wineries in Macedonia, Northern Greece, produces around 72,000 bottles of wine annually. Energy and transportation are two of their main costs but they said they cannot afford to be in the lead of developers of new technology but they are looking for ways to cut their costs and be more environmentally sustainable. An exhibitor who prefers to remain anonymous suggested that it will require the large producers, like LVMH, to change before the industry as a whole changes “but as long as they are making lots of money they have no incentive”. The impression I got was not so pessimistic. PET is gaining far more acceptance than was the case a decade ago. Retailers are putting pressure on their supply chain to be more sustainable and reduce carbon. Rocketing fuel and energy costs are concentrating minds. Weight savings of 85-90% and energy cost savings of over 70%, compared with traditional glass, cannot be ignored. Yours, Ruari McCallion “Export of wine in glass bottles, and their transport and limited recycling had the largest carbon footprint in Australian studies (68%). Grape growing, contributing 15% and wine making contributing 17% were similar and both minor components to the overall average fi gure.” Dr Richard Smart (Smart Viticulture) // www.portoprotocol.com

PETcontents 4 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net 06/2023 Page 39 BOTTLE MAKING 8 Cutting wine & beer carbon footprints MATERIALS / RECYCLING 10 Handling resin in the right way 12 Beverage ingredients: Trends and developments in 2023 BOTTLING / FILLING 14 The country of the five toasts - Water bottling in Georgia 16 Reaching new heights in water bottling - Sustainable filling lines in Poland 17 PET versatile aseptic lab filler 18 Processing demineralised seawater - Water treatment with new technology 19 Providing a 3R response for bottlers in PET 20 Inspecting closures on filled bottles 21 New tasks in bottle inspection PREFORM PRODUCTION 22 Efficient, safe and gentle loading - Company anniversary at Tanner, 50 years of preform handling MARKET SURVEY 23 Suppliers of 2-stage SBM machinery TRADE SHOW REVIEW 26 PETinar: Opening debate 2023 29 Chinaplas 2023, review part 1 32 Interpack 2023, review part 1 35 Market launch of PET sparkling wine bottle - Concept to prototype in less than a year 36 PRSE 2023 review, part 1: Support an organised value chain of rPET BUYER’S GUIDE 40 Get listed! INSIDE TRACK 3 Editorial 4 Contents 6 News 38 Onsite 39 PET bottles for beverage + liquid food 46 Outer Planet Page 35 FILLING Page 14

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PETnews 6 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net PET imports to impact EU recycled content targets A major increase in PET imports threatens the competitiveness of the EU’s industry, along with its objective to improve the waste management of plastics, according to the organisation Plastics Recyclers Europe. Between 2021 and 2022 imports of PET have doubled reaching 1.9Mt, with India, China and Türkiye among the biggest exporters in terms of volumes and value followed by Indonesia, Egypt and Vietnam. With the increase, imports represented nearly 30% of the total demand for PET in Europe in 2022, compared to only 23% in 2020. Given the strong divergences in energy, labour and environmental costs in the EU compared to the rest of the world, this important market shift puts the European industry under a lot of pressure, states the organisation Plastics Recyclers Europe. “Following these concerning market developments, the EU has initiated an anti-dumping proceeding against China for the imports of PET throughout 2022”, said Herbert Snell, PRE PETWorking Group Vice Chair and Managing Director at Multiport GmbH – MultiPet GmbH part of the Veolia Group. “Among the allegations, the issued notice reflects a likelihood that increased dumped imports would have a negative impact on the performance of the EU industry”, he added. The growing imports could be explained by the heightened demand for rPET in the EU, driven by the 2025 recycled content targets of 25% for beverage bottles, and the consequent rise in rPET prices on the continent. “It needs to be ensured that recycled PET imported to the EU at significantly lower prices is compliant with the stringent EU food contact regulation, and therefore does not put at disadvantage the efforts made for creating a robust rPET industry in Europe”, stated Casper van den Dungen, Vice-President of Plastics Recyclers Europe. He continued: “This will additionally require full verification of the traceability of imported polymers by end users to avoid using self-declarations as the means of reporting recycled materials participating in the EU targets”. Consequently, ensuring the enforcement of EU rules for goods and materials from outside the continent is key to protecting the ‘Made in the EU’ and maintaining a level playing field for all actors. Otherwise, the circularity of plastic products placed on the market will be undermined, together with substantial investments in the recycling industry and its capacities, says the organisation. www.plasticsrecyclers.eu Indorama Ventures and Carbios reaffirm partnership to build first-of-a-kind PET bio-recycling plant in France Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL) a global sustainable chemical producer, and Carbios, a biotech company developing and industrialising biological solutions to reinvent the life cycle of plastic and textiles, announced the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form a Joint Venture (JV) for the construction of the world’s first PET bio-recycling plant in France. Based on and subject to the comprehensive terms set out in the MOU, Indorama Ventures plans to mobilise about €110 million for the JV in equity and non-convertible loan financing, pending final engineering documentation and final economic feasibility studies. Both parties have acknowledged their mutual support for the implementation of the project and their intent to finalise contract documentation before end 2023. Subject to the successful performance of this first plant in France, Indorama Ventures confirms its intention to potentially expand the technology to other PET sites for future developments. Under the agreement signed, Carbios, which filed for plant permission in December 2022, is to acquire 13ha land from Indorama Ventures’ existing PET plant at Longlaville and expects to be granted permits by Q3 2023, allowing start of construction by end of 2023 and targeted commissioning in 2025. The land surface offers the possibility to double capacity. Pursuant to this MOU, Indorama Ventures shall ensure 100% of output repolymerisation and both partners shall collaborate to secure feedstock supply. The total capital investment for the new plant is re-estimated to be around € 230 million, taking into account recent impact from inflation. Project costs are to be financed by the sums mobilised by Indorama Ventures, the French State and Grand-Est Region subsidies available for the project, and by equity capitalisation of the JV by Carbios. Part of Carbios’ equity injection into the JV will be financed by a portion of Carbios’ current cash position (i.e. €86 million as of 30 April 2023). Carbios is actively examining the best options to finance its remaining equity injection into the JV and will choose the most appropriate solution and timeline based on market conditions. www.indoramaventures.com www.carbios.com Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa opens in Dubai in September 2023 The launch edition of the Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa (PRS ME&A) will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on September 5-7, 2023. The three-day exhibition and conference is the first and only event in the region specifically dedicated to plastics recycling and will run annually, starting in September. Visitor registration for the event is now open. The Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa brings together key players from the plastics and recycling sectors to showcase innovative technology, share best practice, network and do business. A broad cross-section of the industry is represented at the event including plastics recycling machinery and equipment suppliers, plastic material suppliers and compounders, pre-processors, plastics recyclers, recycling and waste management specialists, regional government and industry associations. The latest trends in the plastics recycling sector will be explored in depth in the conference. www.prseventmea.com

7 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net Tomra and Plastretur sign joint venture to create Norway’s first dedicated sorting plant The global sustainable technology company Tomra has signed a majority ownership agreement with Plastretur, the Norwegian producer responsibility organisation responsible for recycling plastic packaging. The companies will pair up to create a plastic packaging sorting plant located in Norway. The € 50m joint venture (JV) will be split 65 per cent Tomra and 35 per cent Plastretur. In 2020, Plastretur initiated the ambitions to set up sorting infrastructure within Norway, as plastic packaging waste from Norway is currently being sent to Central Europe. Tomra’s investment will seek to close the gap in plastics recycling where there is a strong and growing demand from recyclers for high-quality plastic fractions. Joachim N. Amland, SVP Tomra Feedstock says: “We are recovering material that would have been lost to incineration, and using our existing Tomra technology, providing it to the market at very high quality, which has been missing until now.” This will be the first dedicated plastic packaging sorting plant in Norway, accepting municipal-sourced separated and mechanically recovered mixed plastic waste. The plastics will be sorted into seven types of plastic which will be processed into high-quality fractions that are ready to be used to produce new packaging and other high-quality products. In the JV, Plastretur will continue to take responsibility for sourcing plastic packaging waste from Norwegian municipalities, trade and industry, and deliver this to the plant as input. Tomra will be responsible for grading the fractions based on type and selling the plastic output. The total sorting capacity planned for the new site will be 90,000 t/a of plastics and it will be built in Holtskogen Næringspark, Indre Østfold Holtskogen, Norway (near Oslo). The capital investment consists primarily of machinery and equipment. The ground-breaking is planned to take place in mid-2023 and the plant is scheduled to be commissioned in Q4 2024 and to be fully operational by Q1 2025. www.tomra.com Plastics Industry Association announces NPE 2024 sold out show floor, breaking previous records The Plastics Industry Association announced that exhibit space at NPE 2024: The Plastics Show, the global platform for innovation in plastics, has completely sold out. With more than 1.1 million net square feet of exhibit space, this is a significant achievement 12 months ahead of the triennial trade show. NPE previously surpassed the NPE 2018 exhibit sales record in March at the NPE 2024 Space Draw. “More than 2,000 exhibitors will participate in NPE 2024: The Plastics Show in Orlando. Continued exhibitor enthusiasm reflects NPE’s importance to the global plastics industry,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of Plastics. “We are excited to showcase the latest advances in plastic materials, manufacturing, recycling and processing – including innovations from more than 180 first-time NPE exhibitors.” With more than 55,000 attendees expected, NPE 2024 will be the largest plastics event in the Western Hemisphere. Registration will open on September 12, 2023. The latest advances in products and services will be highlighted in six sold-out technology zones, including an Advanced Manufacturing Zone, Bottle Zone, Materials Science Zone, Mould-making Zone, Recycling & Sustainability Zone and Packaging Zone. “With an end goal of diverting 100% of the recyclable plastic waste generated during the event, sustainability is not just a category at NPE2024,” stated Annina Donaldson, Chair of the NPE 2024 Sales and Marketing Committee. “Sustainability is a commitment incorporated into every detail.” Companies interested in exhibiting at NPE 2024 can visit npe.org/exhibit to add their name to the growing exhibitor waitlist. Should space become available, prospective exhibitors will be contacted in the order received, should space become available. www.npe.org Superior Tool Steel Enhanced Cavitation Prompt Tech Support Priority Development In House Testing YOU CAN HAVE FROM THE SAME RESOURCE Proven 500+ ISBM Molds Globally ACME DRINKTEC SOLUTIONS LLP CREATING MOLDS WITH A DIFFERENCE +91-9810418975 +91-9819020785 +91-9810631426 Sales@acmedrinktec.com www.acmedrinktec.com

BOTTLE MAKING 8 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net Cutting wine & beer carbon footprints Petainer, who claim to “offer a wide range of lightweight, sustainable PET packaging solutions”, has been in business for over 35 years, designing and manufacturing “high-quality, cost-efficient products with circularity at their core”. It has manufacturing sites across the world, serving markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia. In Europe, it manufactures at sites in Lidköping, Sweden, and Aš in the Czech Republic, close to the German border. The Swedish site is certified carbon neutral. 2023 is the first time that Petainer has taken a stand at the International Wine Fair in London, held this year at London’s historic Kensington Olympia exhibition hall. It is big enough to host exhibitors from across the world but, at the same time, offers an intimate experience, where it is easy to visit the whole exhibition in a day. It was good timing because the theme of sustainability ran through the exhibition, across panel discussions and a wide range of stands from all over the world. We met: Petainer Craig Pope, European Commercial Director; Jake Mortiboys, Sales Manager, Western Europe Petainer was acquired in 2022 by Ara Partners, a Private Equity firm totally focused on investing in CO2 reducing Companies. It operates from offices in Houston, Texas, USA, and Dublin, Ireland. Large kegs, low carbon “Ara Partners specialises in decarbonisation investments and sees Petainer as one of the leaders in our industry, with the potential to scale up and take our solutions around the world,” said Craig Pope, Petainer European Commercial Director. “We have worked to create a diverse portfolio, with each product challenging traditional packaging formats and supporting decarbonisation. Whether it’s replacing heavy steel kegs with our lightweight PET keg solutions, replacing heavy glass in the beverage reuse market with RefPET, or in large format water replacing 5 Gallon polycarbonate bottles with our BPA free PET option, Petainer has a solution.” Petainer knows its market and its position very well and focuses on the niches where it is strong. “The alcohol sector is one of the markets where we have been expanding our product offering and we’re pleased to bring our PET wine bottle to the market. Glass bottles are carbon intensive, heavy and expensive to ship – all problems we can resolve using PET material. The trend for decarbonisation is seen at a brand level, but retailers are also starting to lead the way. For example, Systembolaget, Sweden’s state alcohol monopoly, specifies PET as a climate-friendly packaging choice for wine and spirits.” Lighter bottles, reduced costs The Petainer stand featured a few examples of the new PET wine bottles. “We have started in the wine market with two Bordeaux sizes: 1 l and 750ml, and we offer a Burgundy 750ml as well, each in green or clear PET,” he said. Craig explained further about the new range. “The wine industry is very much challenged by energy and transportation costs for glass and it is actively looking for alternative packaging formats to reduce its carbon footprint.” Studies show that a glass bottle represents the largest share - approximately 50% - of carbon emitted when making wine, he explained. “Glass bottle producers are targeting a reduction in weight from 550 g to 420 g by 2027, so the issue will prevail in the glass market. Our wine bottles weigh 49 g, without the closure and label. Being 90% lighter than glass and using much less energy to produce, PET wine bottles offer the potential for huge savings across the supply chain. Because it is lightweight, more wine can be transported in one journey, reducing costs and carbon emissions, along with taking up less warehouse space”. The PET wine bottles Craig and Jake had on the Petainer stand were not the same as previous offers from other manufacturers, which felt firm and were made of composite materials. These felt more like heavier than usual carbonated soft drinks (CSD) bottles. “Product protection is essential, we have worked extensively with the Geisenheim University in Germany to predict the sensory quality and shelf life of wine with different barrier options. Our PET bottles are available with monolayer barrier protection for six months shelf life or multilayer barrier protection for 18 months,” said Craig. “Wine producers are grappling with recent cost increases and are more open to look at new ways to market their products and appeal to consumers. We see PET bottles as part of the packaging mix for wine, giving customers a familiar shape and look, and purchasing a 750ml bottle that they by Ruari McCallion Jake Mortiboys (left) and Craig Pope presenting the Petainer PET keg and PET wine bottle

BOTTLE MAKING 9 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net aren’t planning to lay down. For value and standard price point wines, which are designed to be enjoyed young, it makes sense for both the producer and consumers to use PET. For the producer, PET is financially attractive compared to other alternative packaging formats as it can run on their existing filling equipment, and for the consumer it gives them flexibility to take a PET bottle where glass can’t go. The carbon credentials of wine in PET bottles can be shared by brands at the point of purchase against glass providing consumers with an informed choice,” said Craig. Single use large kegs: an environmentally friendly solution? Petainer is very well known globally for its beer kegs. The 20 l example on its stand for wine on tap, which Craig and Jake are clearly proud of, is a one-way container, which prompted the question: how is “single use” environmentally friendly? “You have to look at the carbon footprint of draught beverages from cradle to gate,” Craig replied. “In the case of beer kegs, we focus on two main markets: export and smaller, craft brewers. Smaller scale operators prefer not to invest in steel kegs as they grow their business. We make it possible for craft brewers to enter new markets without heavy outlay on kegs, transport and cleaning infrastructure. For export, PET is light weight – nowhere near as heavy as steel and you can transport your beverage anywhere in the world. If you imagine the volume of beer being exported from Europe in steel kegs, the cost of lost kegs, of collecting them, returning, and washing, some export routes can be very inefficient making one way kegs the clear choice. This gives brewers the opportunity to access global markets without the need to manage costly return logistics. We can model the carbon footprint of our kegs vs steel to demonstrate that our kegs really are the climate smart option.” Whilst our Hybrid keg is non-returnable, the chimes at the top and bottom, are made with 100% recycled polypropylene which can be easily removed from the keg and reused. We are seeing a growing number of brewers reusing these components to save cost and reduce their carbon footprint. “The Hybrid keg can be conveyed and filled on steel kegs lines so there is real opportunity for brewers to switch between steel and PET to access new draught markets and save a lot on operating costs. Steel keg losses can be as high as 10 to 15% in some cases,” Jake Mortiboys added. The Hybrid keg can be collected and disassembled for recycling, post use. The snap fit nature of the chime components ensures it’s easy to separate these components and reduce the volume of waste. Bottle to bottle recycling is not yet possible but a closed loop solution for PET kegs is clearly on the horizon. Petainer is working with a major brewing brand to use clear 20 l kegs packed inside a cardboard outer box, which is itself totally recyclable and will give the required UV & light protection. www.petainer.com Over 10,000 drinks industry professionals attended the London Wine Fair in May.

MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net 10 Handling resin in the right way In the world of food packaging, the safety and quality of materials used are of paramount importance. Plastic resins are widely utilised in the production of food packaging, but not all resins are created equal. Two major regulatory bodies, the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provide guidelines and approvals for food-grade plastic resins. PET Solutions, known for plastic processing machinery, with more than 20 years of collaboration with the major producers of PET preforms, has recognised the need for tailored drying solutions based on the type of resin used. To address this, PET Solutions have developed two distinct dryer systems, each catering to different requirements. The first solution incorporates the use of an oil condenser, specifically designed for situations where non-Efsa certified resins are utilised. This dryer removes harmful substances during the plastic processing stage, ensuring product safety. While the inclusion of an oil condenser incurs energy costs, PET Solutions recognises its necessity in certain circumstances to maintain the integrity of the final product. Dryer The dryer features an automatic parameter setting that adjusts according to the IMM. It utilises a counter current regeneration system, which results in lower regeneration temperature and shorter regeneration time. With the smart start & stop function, it is claimed to prevent resin degradation. The dryer eliminates the need for cooling water during production and incorporates accurate process airflow control to minimise energy consumption. Oil condenser The oil condenser can be set up through the dryer without requiring an operator. It features automatic process airflow and temperature control, which ensures optimal performance and leads to energy savings. Additionally, there is an exclusive patented version of the oil condenser available that incorporates Activated Carbon for enhanced functionality, says PET Solutions. Ultra cleaning filter The Ultra Cleaning Filter is a patented catalytic filter specifically designed to reduce hydrocarbons. It is claimed to be effective in removing contaminants such as acetaldehyde, benzene, and limonene. With its specialised design, this filter ensures efficient purification of the airflow. Solution with food grade resin – new generation dryer with ultra cleaning filter On the other hand, PET Solutions has also developed a second dryer solution exclusively designed for Efsacertified resins. This dryer eliminates the need for an oil condenser, providing substantial energy savings. By leveraging the inherent safety and quality of Efsa-certified resins, this dryer ensures a more efficient and sustainable manufacturing process. New generation dryer The new generation dryer brings improvements to the quality of rPET materials. It boasts a remarkable +47% increase in filtration capacity, thanks to its double filter system, which also optimises maintenance operations. Additionally, the dryer achieves a -15% reduction in energy consumption on blowers, thanks to its new patented process design positioned after the desiccant towers. The larger exchanger size provides a +45% boost in cooling capacity. Furthermore, the dryer achieves a +25% overall energy recovery, eliminating the need for an oil condenser. Turbofan (option) The Turbofan is a patented solution that ensures a speed of +15,000 rpm. It is claimed to offer versatility, capable of handling up to 1,700 kg/h of material. With this advanced technology, the Turbofan provides enhanced performance and efficiency for a wide range of applications. PET Solutions’ commitment to providing customised drying solutions reflects the understanding of the varying needs within the bottling industry. By offering an oil condenser dryer for non-certified resins and an energysaving solution for Efsa-certified resins, enables companies to choose the most appropriate option based on their specific resin requirements and sustainability goals. www.petsolutions.it

MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net 11 vbr-voѲࢼomvĸ1ol SFL v_b[v |_; 0om7-ub;v bm |_; ;oѲࢼom o= Ѳbm;-u 0ѲoloѲ7bm]Ķ o@;ubm] l-bll Y;b0bѲb| 1ol0bm;7 b|_ bm1u;-v;7 o|r|. 1omvoѲb7-|;7 |;1_moѲo] b|_ |_; Ѳo;v| |o|-Ѳ 1ov| o= om;uv_br Ŏ$ ŏ om |_; l-uh;|Ķ 7;vb]m;7 |o or;u-|; b|_ Ǝ |o Ѵ 0Ѳobm] 1-bࢼ;v -m7 |o u;-1_ - l-bll ruo71ࢼb| o= ƏĶƍƍƍ 0oѲ;vń_ouń1-b|Ķ b|_ |_; Ѳo;v| ;;u ;m;u] 1omvlrࢼomĸ $_; u;=;u;m1; =ou |_; $ r-1h-]bm] l-uh;|Ķ ml-|1_;7 bm |_; bm7v|uĶ v_ov ml;uov |;1_moѲo]b1-Ѳ 7;;Ѳorl;m|v bm |;ulv o= vr;;7Ķ t-Ѳb|Ķ ;uv-ࢼѲb|Ķ 1-r-1b|Ķ ;m;u] ;L1b;m1 -m7 o;u-ѲѲ vv|-bm-0bѲb|ĸ | bm1ourou-|;v _b]_Ѳ bmmo-ࢼ; 7b]b|-Ѳ voѲࢼomv |o C| bm |_; lov| bvbom-u "l-u| -1|ouĸ ѲѲ |_;v; mbt; =;-|u;vĶ |o];|_;u b|_ |_; Ѳo l-bm|;m-m1; 1ov|vĶ l-h; " |uѲ - ļ0;v| bm 1Ѳ-vvĽ -lom] Ѳbm;-u vv|;lv. FLEXIBLE packaging and extreme stretching capabilities SUPERIOR productivity & performance EASY to use and to maintain ECO energy saving & sustainability focused TCO SAFE & CLEAN no hydraulics, operator and food safety LINEAR BLOWMOULDER: SIMPLY THE BEST IN CLASS.

BEVERAGE INGREDIENTS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net 12 Multi-sensory taste sensations In the dynamic market of the beverage industry, products need to demonstrate their uniqueness and excite consumers in order to stand out. Consumers do not simply want to consume food and beverages, but to experience them. The way all its sensory properties work together is what distinguishes a product from the others. Doehler works hand in hand with its customers to create multi-sensory experiences that appeal to all the senses. This close collaboration makes it possible to create unique products that cater to everything consumers want and need. Younger consumer groups play an especially prominent role in shaping current trends in the beverage segment. Striking colours and exotic flavours are a key focus here – bright, intense colours make a product visually attractive and help it stand out at the point of sale. New beverages in striking colours like 2023’s Viva Magenta excite consumers and encourage them to make impulsive purchase decisions. These myriad fascinating impressions bring colour and taste together in new combinations and create unique sensory experiences. In the field of taste development, too, the desire for uniqueness and creativity continues unabated. Special, sometimes limited edition, products offer an exciting and interactive customer experience – such as “mystery” concepts, where consumers are encouraged to guess a hidden flavour and share their experience on social media. The limited cola edition “pixelflavoured”, which stands out with a 0% sugar content and a mysterious taste is a good example of this development, offering additional excitement and unmistakability. Traditional taste profiles vs new taste adventures Familiar taste profiles like traditional citrus fruits are as popular as ever. Associated with higher health value by 60% of consumers, citrus flavours remain the leading flavour on the market. Away from classic fruits, exotic citrus options like pomelo, yuzu and kumquat are also trending, adding exciting new taste notes to a broad spectrum of beverages from classic soft drinks to energy drinks, nectars and fruit juices. Doehler works with state-of-theart processing plants in the countries of origin in this field, such as Brazil. Together with an international network of specialists, they create bespoke and sustainable taste solutions. Doehler combines local expertise with global trends to deliver unique and authentic flavour solutions specially tailored to the needs of customers and their products. Alongside citrus, floral flavours have become increasingly important in the beverage segment, impressing with interesting new taste profiles – with hibiscus, jasmine, rose and elderflower leading the way. As functional beauty products enriched with plant-based essences become more popular, acceptance of and desire for beverages with the same interesting floral flavours are also growing, supporting the boom in the market. The sustainability factor In 2022, 58% of consumers demonstrated an increased preference for sustainable food and beverages as a way of expressing their commitment to an environmentally conscious lifestyle. As a leading provider of highquality natural ingredients, Doehler guarantees a transparent supply chain through its global procurement network – enabling access to a diverse portfolio of raw materials that are cultivated and extracted sustainably. By cooperating closely with partners Beverage ingredients: Trends and developments in 2023 The beverage industry is constantly coming up with new, surprising and innovative products to meet consumer tastes. As consumer preferences change ever faster and become ever more individual, the market is reacting with new product concepts full of innovative flavours, attractive designs and impressive functionality. Health aspects and sustainability are also playing an increasingly important role. The use of functional ingredients and natural, sustainably cultivated plant-based ingredients has made the beverage industry a key trendsetter in the food market.

BEVERAGE INGREDIENTS PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net 13 all over the world and procuring and processing products locally, Doehler pursues a sustainable and qualityconscious approach to raw material procurement and the entire supply chain. This not only provides the basis for sustainable and high-quality products, but also secures reliable planning outlooks. Functional and healthy beverages As healthy lifestyles become more significant, natural and sustainable products – such as those that contain less sugar or that offer functional ingredients or a clean label declaration – have gained enormously in popularity. However, it is important that these health-related aspects do not cause the taste to be neglected. Working with an international team of experts, Doehler has developed an extensive portfolio of taste modulation products, such as for low-sugar products. These include natural sweetening, flavour, masking and texturising products and solutions that ensure good sensory properties in the respective applications and support a clean label declaration. Under its MultiSweet Plus umbrella brand, Doehler also offers an extensive portfolio of sweetening systems that are claimed to be ideal for reduced-calorie and calorie-free products in a host of different applications. This portfolio includes both artificial high-intensity sweeteners (HIS) like MultiSweet Classic and natural sweetening systems like MultiSweet Fruit and MultiSweet Stevia. MultiSense Flavours products can enhance the sensory properties of reduced-sugar products. MultiSense Sweet flavours, for example, help to reduce a product’s sugar content while still ensuring full taste. MultiSense Masking flavours, on the other hand, mask the aftertaste of sweeteners, proteins and other unwanted taste deviations, while MultiSense Mouthfeel flavours can improve the mouthfeel of calorie-free or reduced-calorie beverages. Functional beverages, which offer consumers added health value through natural vitamins or the use of botanical extracts, are also gaining in popularity. From functional energy drinks to sport drinks and beauty drinks, innovative concepts combined with exciting flavours give rise to diverse positioning options here. Doehler is setting new standards with its extensive portfolio of natural ingredients, such as those designed especially for functional beverages. The range includes health-promoting vitamin and mineral combinations, plant-based proteins and trendy botanical extracts like moringa, baobab, ginseng, green tea and guarana. These ingredients not only offer optimised nutrient quality, but also impress with their outstanding taste profile. www.doehler.com ALL- IN- ONE-MACHINE ASSEMBLY FOLDING SLITTING TETHERED CAP CONTEXO GMBH Tel. +49 (0) 7181 / 606-100 info@contexo-gmbh.de www.contexo-automation.de

BOTTLING / FILLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net 14 Water bottling in Georgia The country of the five toasts In the heart of the Caucasus region, Georgia is one of the richest nations in mineral and thermal waters, even if its large-scale marketing is a fairly recent activity, entrusted to leading companies such as Aqua Geo. In this state of the former USSR, on the border between Europe and Asia, squeezed between the mountains of the Caucasus and the Black Sea, one is struck by the richness of the waterways and the fertility of the land, which is almost entirely cultivated, with the exception of the highest peaks in the Svaneti region, which reach up to 5,000m above sea level. Not surprisingly, the name “Georgia” derives from the Greek term “georg”, used to indicate agriculture. Georgia has an ancient history for the cultivation of vines and the production of wine, as evidenced by the archaeological finds of the oldest winery in the world with some traces dating up to 8,000 years ago. In the last decade, however, the Georgian economy has come on in leaps and bounds, moving from an almost exclusive dependence on wine production to a diversification into new sectors, such as the production of beverages and carbonated waters. Thanks to investments made by the food & beverage companies, Georgia today boasts excellent production of lemonade and beer, while the mineral water sector is constantly expanding. This phenomenon requires the use of increasingly advanced bottling and packaging technologies, such as those used by the company Aqua Geo Ltd in its carbonated water production plants under the “Kobi” brand and natural water under the “SNO” brand. To automate the bottling and packaging process, the Georgian company turned to SMI for the supply of numerous turnkey plants, which include a line for PET bottles and one for glass bottles in the Kobi plant and two end-of-lines for the secondary and tertiary packaging of SNO natural water at the Misaktsieli plant, near the village of Natakhtari, a few kilometers from the capital Tbilisi. The two brands of mineral water marketed by Aqua Geo, SNO and Kobi, owe their name to the geographical position of the two springs from which the product flows. SMI solutions for Kobi The Kobi water bottling plant is a demonstration of the large investments being made in the beverage and natural mineral water industry in Georgia; a great challenge, in a country where history and culture are deeply linked to wine production. Since its foundation, the Aqua Geo company has always had the main aim of equipping itself with modern technologies, to create a high, quality, product capable of equaling the mineral waters present on the main European markets. This is an objective that the Georgian company is able to achieve everyday thanks to severe laboratory tests on the water from the source and the finished product, modern and sophisticated control systems for the entire production process and continuous monitoring of the packaging and distribution process. SMI, which has been collaborating with Aqua Geo since 2011, has been involved in the important development project of the Kobi brand and has designed, built and installed two botFILLING

BOTTLING / FILLING 15 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 tling lines side by side: one for 0.33 l and 0.5 l glass bottles and the other for 0.5 l, 1 l and 1.5 l PET bottles. The logistic configuration of the two lines side by side allows space and costs to be optimised, due to the fact that both use the same area for raw materials and the same unloading and storage area for the finished pallets ready for distribution. Production line for PET bottles: Ecobloc Ergon integrated system for carbonated products – production up to 10,800 bph Containers worked: 0.5 l, 1 l and 1.5 l bottles in PET for carbonated water LSK 40F Ergon shrinkwrapper – production up to 40 packs/min Packs created: bundles in film only in 3x2 (1 l and 1.5 l bottles) and 4x3 (0.5 l bottles) formats SMI solutions for SNO The growing demand for SNO natural water has required new investments, for the expansion and modernisation of two end-of-lines at the Misaktsieli plant. Working in close collaboration with the Aqua Geo team, SMI engineers designed an automatic solution for secondary and tertiary packaging optimised for the production needs of the Georgian company’s plant; the primary objective of the new intervention was to increase the production efficiency of the lines for the bottling and packaging of 0.5 l and 1.5 l PET bottles of SNO water. www.smigroup.it Complete end of line - PET 24,000bph including: CSK 50F Ergon shrinkwrapper – production up to 50 packs/min Products worked: 0.5 l and 1.5 l bottles in PET Packs created: bundles in film only in 6x4 and 4x3 (0.5 l ) and 3x2 (1.5 l) formats Conveyors to carry the loose product from the out feed of the filler monobloc, accumulation conveyors before and after the labeller and conveyors to carry the packs between the packer and the palletiser Handle applicator HA 60 APS 1550 Ergon palletiser with rotating arm wrapper Packs worked: bundles arriving from the CSK 50F Ergon packer Pallets created: europallet 800 x 1,200 and 1,000 x 1,200

BOTTLING / FILLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net 16 Sustainable fi lling lines in Poland Reaching new heights in water bottling Polish producer of mineral water, Masspol is a supplier to one of the leading chain stores in the country. What allowed them to secure a long-term business partnership, was to expand their offering with a 5 l bottle. Answering the call for the upsizing trend, STM Group provided Masspol with a sustainable filling line, increasing the number of bottles on a pallet by 25%. It’s been a while since the pandemic has eased its grip on people. Now that countries are faced with post-Covid inflation, shopping for bargains has never been so important. Since value for money is sought after, buying in bulk and in big packages became a common practice in many households. On top of that, the unwavering convenience of home delivery has further solidified the habit of purchasing in large size containers and multipacks. As the era of social distancing came to an end, consumer focus shifted from safety and supply to green solutions. Sustainability has been the core influence in the packaging industry for some time now. Public awareness around the issue is reflected in the ever-changing retail landscape. According to West Rock - Pulse Packaging 2022 survey, we know how eco-friendly features impact consumer satisfaction. Notably, the packaging being right-sized is important for 63% of people; 62% pay attention to the fact that the product does not use excessive packaging; as much as 55% claim to look for packaging made from recycled materials; 54% are interested whether the manufacturing of the packaging produces fewer carbon emissions. When it comes to the mineral water industry, there is yet another issue one must take into account. Mainly, the dilemma faced by consumers on where and how to obtain drinking water. With numerous options to filter tap water at home, combined with lobbying against bottled water manufacturers, appealing to consumers’ preferences and conscience becomes a challenge. With new laws and regulations by EU and local governments to reduce waste and emissions, improve recovery and recycling, manufacturers have to make careful investment decisions. STM’s recent project for Polish company Masspol is the answer to these modernday market requirements. Masspol’s mineral bottling plant (manufacturing and water intake) is located in the town of Zubrzyk in the Beskid Sadecki region of Poprad Landscape Park. The company has been producing mineral and spring water packed in 500, 700, 100, 1,500ml PET bottles. Expanding their offering with 5,000ml water bottles, the company chose STM Group to build a filling line (another project for this client). Having received a return on previous investments (two blow moulding machines), Masspol hoped to make another profitable development. STM set itself the task of designing the whole production process in the most eco-friendly way. From PET bottle design to palletisation – every stage was conceived with sustainability in mind. Masspol needed energy-saving technology for the PET production to be eligible for EU funds from the Intelligent Development Programme. The project involved manufacturing a complete turnkey filling line for 5,000ml PET bottles. To meet the expected capacity of 4,000bph, STM suggested the STM Synchroblok Combifill 4/16/6 FlowMatic BIG. The machine features 4 cavity moulds, 16 filling nozzles and 6 capping heads. The first eco-innovation involved reducing preform weight from the standard 68g to 58g. This way, STM was able to lower the energy consumption down to 13W for blowing and filling one 5,000ml bottle (without nitrogen dosing). Secondly, TES STM Group patented and implemented an original system for recovering compressed air from the blow moulding machine. STM was able to capture 40% of the air (up to 10.5bar) and deliver it to all peripheral devices in both, STM line and an adjacent line for 1.5 l bottles at 18,000bph. 120Nm3 of compressed air every hour was saved. As a result, air compressors are in operation less frequently and the whole manufacturing plant is more energy efficient. The palletising stage was also defined by demands for sustainability. Although it is still a common practice in the industry, glueing the bottles together was out of the question for the client. Yet, by far the biggest engineering feat was to increase the number of bottles on the pallet: from 108 to 135. It called for a unique bottle design – taller and slimmer than the classic model – for higher packing efficiency. Wrapping was adjusted accordingly. The dedicated palletising system combines two rotating plate pallet wrappers and the process occurs right at the stacking places - without any transfer. This solution allowed a capacity of 25 pallets/hour to be achieved. www.stm-pack.com FILLING

BOTTLING / FILLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 06/23 www.petpla.net 17 PET versatile aseptic lab filler Yili Group, Asia’s largest dairy company, received support and expertise from Sidel to install a versatile Aseptic Lab filler, which has been designed primarily for research and development and is situated in Yili’s specially constructed facility. It will enable the regional market leader to launch new products and adapt existing bottles, further enhancing its reputation for innovation. official launch of the PET versatile Aseptic Lab filler in Yili’s Shanghai innovation centre represents the further deepening of the strategic partnership between Yili and Sidel, from equipment supplying to all-round cooperation in packaging development, product development, resource and knowledge sharing. In relying on Sidel’s new PET versatile Aseptic Lab filler, Yili will not only continue to consolidate and expand its leading position in PET dairy packaging but also lay a solid foundation for further expanding its popularity and influence in the beverage industry. Yili’s choice also proves the value and contribution of Sidel in food safety, packaging innovation and sustainable development.” Innovation and sustainability are of mutual importance to both Sidel and Yili. The ongoing strategic partnership will enable Sidel to support Yili with the newly installed versatile Aseptic Lab filler providing the means to develop designs and products which maintain an existing level of sustainability. It will also be able to experiment and reduce energy consumption, in addition to reducing consumption and emissions, which can be shared to enable Sidel to further improve its service to customers. www.sidel.com BEYOND THE HORIZON PROCESS SOLUTIONS FOR POLYMER RECYCLING AND SOLID STATE POLYMER UPGRADING Polymetrix, a Sanlian Buhler Company, provides process technology including EPCM services for the polymer recycling and manufacturing industry. Leading supplier of rPET systems and integrated rPET plants for single line capacities up to 70’000 tons per year. www.polymetrix.com www.slhpcn.com FILLING Already in operation, compact in scale, the versatile Aseptic Lab filler was conceived to enable Yili to research and test product designs, enabling test runs consisting of a small number of bottles with different shapes and sizes. Entirely flexible, the line also allows Yili’s developers to customise any element of the test projects, ranging from the overall product to the specific neck, bottle format or capping. In addition to the several types of aseptic filling processes for both still and carbonated drinks, this lab line can handle other types of filling processes, such as hot filling. Additional benefits include huge flexibility, simplicity of operation, comprehensive maintenance and troubleshooting, said Sidel. As a provider of healthy food and a strong advocate of a healthy lifestyle, Yili aligns closely to its highest principle belief of quality being as precious as life itself. Yili has been supported by Sidel in meeting new demands for products, helping to maintain its leading position in the dairy market and to develop its presence in the market of other soft drinks. The delivery of Sidel’s versatile Aseptic Lab filler, along with a new EvoBlow eHR with six cavities, benefited from a combination of expertise, both in China and across the world. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic created many challenges during the assembly of the line. However, Sidel and Yili cooperated very closely to ensure the successful completion of the project. The installation and technical assistance were delivered fully through professional guidance, conducted remotely via virtual calls by Sidel, and executed on the ground by experienced engineers based in Greater China. Sidel and Yili have forged a strategic partnership which commenced in 2017. Filippo Fu, Sidel Regional Sales Director China, said: “The Sidel installed a versatile Aseptic Lab filler at the premises of the Chinese dairy company Yili.

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