Aseptic ambition: Sibeg Coca-Cola pioneers PET innovation with Sidel
Sibeg Srl, the official Coca-Cola Company bottler for Sicily since 1960, has signalled its strategic shift toward high-value, sensitive beverages by launching its first-ever complete aseptic PET packaging line, developed in partnership with Sidel.
This 18,000 bottles per hour (bph) line, anchored by the Aseptic Combi Predis system, not only expands Sibeg’s production portfolio but directly fuels its ambitious sustainability goals.
The investment is central to Sibeg’s aim to become the ‘gazelle’ innovation hub for Coca-Cola’s Business Units, allowing the company to bring the production of sensitive products — like teas and energy drinks — in-house, eliminating the need for external co-packing. This strategic vertical integration cuts down on pollution from truck transport previously used to ship products from Northern Italy, immediately reinforcing the company’s environmental commitment.
Dry sterilisation and circular economy gains
Sibeg, which is targeting zero emissions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2032, chose Sidel for its proven expertise in aseptic packaging. The core of the new line, the Aseptic Combi Predis, integrates preform sterilisation, blow moulding, filling, and capping into a single, seamless process.
The system is highly favoured in the industry for its dry preform decontamination using a hydrogen peroxide mist, which drastically reduces the consumption of water and chemicals compared to traditional wet-aseptic processes. This aligns perfectly with Sibeg’s long-term sustainability vision while ensuring extended shelf life and product integrity without preservatives. The system successfully passed the stringent Coca-Cola Company aseptic validation protocol on its first attempt, demonstrating exceptional product safety and compliance.
Further solidifying its commitment to the circular economy, the new line is designed for 100% rPET (recycled PET) production, minimising the environmental impact of its packaging.
Eliminating shrink tunnels
Sidel’s provision extended beyond the filling block, supplying complementary end-of-line technology that delivers significant operational and environmental advantages.
The installation includes the EvoFilm Stretch packer, a breakthrough in stretch wrapping technology. This machine operates at ambient temperature, completely eliminating the need for energy-heavy shrink tunnels. This innovation translates directly into savings for Sibeg, cutting energy consumption by up to 90% and reducing plastic use by up to 60%, from 26 grams to just 6 grams per pack. According to Gianluca Tornatore, operations director at Sibeg, the absence of shrink tunnels also minimises the machine footprint, making the packaging lines more compact and cost-effective.
To maximise operational efficacy, Sibeg also integrated Evo-ON Flex, Sidel’s intelligent software app. This tool streamlines bottle changeovers by providing operators with a step-by-step guide and a real-time overview of the production schedule, boosting operator adeptness and eliminating potential downtime.
Luca Busi, CEO at Sibeg, commented: “This move reflects our strategic effort to both expand our product portfolio and enhance flexibility in meeting customer demands…Sidel and Sibeg share a long-standing partnership…relying on its well-known expertise to ensure the highest levels of product safety.”
By embracing this complete, innovative aseptic solution, Sibeg is not just diversifying into energy drinks and teas but is actively realising its ambition to be a responsive, agile, and environmentally responsible bottler on the global stage.
