EDITOUR PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 11/25 www.petpla.net 10 Minimise compressed air consumption sustainably by Alexander Büchler From recycling compressed air and minimising dead space to solutions for rPET bottles, Seitz Valve has continuously optimised compressed air valve technology for stretch blow moulding systems over the last 40 years. Editour Interview with Seitz Valve // June 11, 2025 We met: Rico Schöni, CMO, and Angel Xiao, Marketing Manager Seitz Valve Switzerland has been building valves for compressed air in stretch blow moulding systems since 1986. Initially, it was just an air-in, air-out valve for blowing the bottle, but today the valve has developed into a complex component in the SBM. In the meantime, blow moulding is carried out in several stages, with up to 10 bar in phase 1 of the stretch blow moulding process and up to 40 bar in phase 2. The valve returns the 40 bar air from the finished PET bottle and uses it for phase 1. This recuperation can significantly minimise compressed air consumption. Nevertheless, more compressed air is used than the cylinder needs to inflate. The reason for this is the volume of the compressed air supply from the switching valve to the stretch blow mould. Here, Eugen Seitz tries to minimise the so-called dead space (dead volume) with the respective OEMs. “Bottles containing rPET pose a new challenge for the control of the blowing air. As there are always fluctuations in the rPET, it is possible that the stretch blow moulding process does not always run consistently well. With the new individually controlled valves, the correct pressure can now be applied to each preform at the right moment. In this way, they also want to guarantee consistent quality for rPET bottles.” Seitz Valve in Switzerland specialises in industrial valves. Around 50,000 units leave the main factory every year. From valves for nuclear technology with the highest safety requirements to valves for gas filling stations and valves with very high requirements for simple maintenance and precise switching operations for stretch blow moulding systems. The PET sector is the core business of the Swiss company. They develop and produce for every major manufacturer of SBMs in Europe, China and India. Consultancy, design and production are separated by customer within the company. “As we produce for everyone on the market, it is important to us that every customer gets exactly the valves they need and not just any copy from the competition,” explains Rico Schöni, CMO. And so the valves differ not only in their function, but also in their design. As a logical consequence, this continues right through to final assembly. Every OEM has “its” assembly station here. Seitz Valve mills and drills its own valve blocks in an almost fully automated production facility at its main site. Mechanical components such as seals, screws etc. are purchased by the company. In conclusion, Seitz Valve has demonstrated remarkable expertise and innovation in the field of compressed air valve technology for stretch blow moulding systems. With a strong focus on sustainability and efficiency, the company continues to push boundaries in minimising compressed air consumption while ensuring consistent quality, particularly in the growing area of rPET bottles. Their commitment to tailored solutions, advanced manufacturing processes, and close collaboration with OEMs positions them as a key player in the industry. As the demand for sustainable packaging solutions grows, Seitz Valve is well-prepared to meet future challenges and contribute to the advancement of stretch blow moulding technology. www.seitz.ch Sponsors to date Seitz Valve CMO Rico Schöni and Marketing Manager Angel Xiao
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