Sidel reveals 100% rPET bottle for carbonated soft drinks

Beverage packaging solutions provider Sidel launched STarLITER, a 100% rPET bottle aimed at helping carbonated soft drink (CSD) packaging producers embrace material circularity. In a statement, Laurent Naveau, packaging innovator leader at Sidel, noted that rPET characteristics are influenced by a variety of factors, including seasonality and different PET collection models. “The recycling process and equipment used will also influence PET resin,” Naveau said. “All these factors can pose new challenges for manufacturers looking to produce bottles with rPET content.” Naveau went on to say that StarLITER is specially designed to give CSD manufacturers “the opportunity to embrace rPET,” because the company’s design achieves greater protection against deformation, increased resistance to bursting, optimum stability and guarantees product quality. StarLITER features an optimized mold base profile and uses an advanced stretch rod end design to achieve its high-performing bottle base, the company notes. This solution also uses dual external and internal bottle base cooling, that ensures a perfect shape, it says. Sidel adds that, traditionally, greater variability in rPET resin results in a narrower process window and lower bottle quality. With its innovative base, StarLITER uses leading technologies “to ensure efficient rPET bottle production by restoring a much wider process window,” the company says.

Exhaust Vapor Condenser latest from Spirax Sarco

Spirax Sarco expanded its product line with a new Exhaust Vapor Condenser (EVC). The EVC is a reliable innovative heat exchanger that utilizes flash steam from discharge, as well as exhaust vent pipework, to pre-heat, make-up or process water, the company says. This process recovers valuable heat energy that would otherwise be lost to atmosphere. The product will improve steam system efficiency for a variety of industries, including the beverage industry, the company notes. It’s environmentally friendly also, reducing carbon and CO2 emissions, it says. “With a global focus on sustainability and energy-efficient operation, Spirax Sarco is pleased to offer the Exhaust Vapor Condenser, a reliable and innovative heat exchanger that is environmentally friendly and has proven to provide efficient payback within short periods of time, some applications within one year,” said Chris Rossi, Spirax Sarco product manager, in a statement. The EVC is easy to install and provides an optimized heat transfer solution when compared with other heat exchanger designs used in similar applications, the company says. The construction is completely stainless steel and the tube side is all in AISI 316, it notes. The EVC is designed and manufactured in accordance with EN 13445 code and fully complies with the requirements of the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED).

ROSS reconditions mixer equipment

ROSS Mixers is offering reconditioned mixers for businesses looking to enhance their existing equipment or expand production. The working-conditioned, “like new” mixers were restored by engineers and mechanics on the ROSS team, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with brand-new equipment, the company says. Additional advantages include cost savings, expedited shipping and the standard one-year warranty from the date of shipment, it notes. Reconditioned equipment that utilizes existing components to minimize waste “can be an impactful choice for manufacturers in pursuit of high-quality mixing solutions without comprising on value or excellence,” the company says. Reconditioning entails a thorough inspection of the mixer’s parts, with each part being tested, cleaned, repaired, replaced, repolished or modified as necessary. For example, a recovered ROSS PD-40-gallon PowerMix that goes through reconditioning receives an inspection of parts — including its planetary stirrer blade and high speed disperser, the company says. This reconditioned example “exemplifies how businesses can elevate their processing capabilities sustainably and lower costs for a quicker return on investment,” while also maintaining the highest standards of quality, it adds.

As beverage-makers diversify their portfolios to meet consumer needs, SKU proliferation is a prevalent factor. This, as well as the number of emerging brands hitting the market, has seen warehouse operations adjust their approach. A spokesperson for Frain Industries, Carol Stream, Ill., notes that these trends “create a need for flexibility, adaptability and speed to market.” As manufacturers and contract manufacturers make these adjustments, it can impact equipment lifestyles and capabilities such as “changes to package design along with new product introductions,” Frain’s spokesperson notes. “Manufactures and co-packers need to be

nimble and able to accommodate quickly.” Yet, when investing in the equipment to support new products and packages, experts note to consider some important factors. “According to PMMI research, 76% of new products fail within 12 months, reality tells us its less,” Frain’s spokesperson says. “New machinery lead time are typically six to 12 months.” For those looking to access packaging and processing machinery ahead of those lead times, companies like Frain Industries are looking to fill this gap with rental solutions serving the beverage industry. “Renting machinery provides the opportunities to help your customers bring more products to market with low risk and lower cash investment,” Frain’s spokesperson says. Frain is able to achieve this because it has develop partnerships with 68 original equipment manufacturers where it has their machinery on the floor and can be ready to ship in weeks versus months. “Ninety percent will be ready to ship in one to three weeks,” Frain’s spokesperson says. With a 2-million-square-foot facility and approximately 65 engineers and technicians on hand, Frain is able to supply the packaging and processing machines so that manufacturers and co-packers can start churning out new products.

As beverage-makers diversify their portfolios to meet consumer needs, SKU proliferation is a prevalent factor. This, as well as the number of emerging brands hitting the market, has seen warehouse operations adjust their approach. A spokesperson for Frain Industries, Carol Stream, Ill., notes that these trends “create a need for flexibility, adaptability and speed to market.” As manufacturers and contract manufacturers make these adjustments, it can impact equipment lifestyles and capabilities such as “changes to package design along with new product introductions,” Frain’s spokesperson notes. “Manufactures and co-packers need to be nimble and able to accommodate quickly.” Yet, when investing in the equipment to support new products and packages, experts note to consider some important factors. “According to PMMI research, 76% of new products fail within 12 months, reality tells us its less,” Frain’s spokesperson says. “New machinery lead time are typically six to 12 months.” For those looking to access packaging and processing machinery ahead of those lead times, companies like Frain Industries are looking to fill this gap with rental solutions serving the beverage industry. “Renting machinery provides the opportunities to help your customers bring more products to market with low risk and lower cash investment,” Frain’s spokesperson says. Frain is able to achieve this because it has develop partnerships with 68 original equipment manufacturers where it has their machinery on the floor and can be ready to ship in weeks versus months. “Ninety percent will be ready to ship in one to three weeks,” Frain’s spokesperson says. With a 2-million-square-foot facility and approximately 65 engineers and technicians on hand, Frain is able to supply the packaging and processing machines so that manufacturers and co-packers can start churning out new products.

Domino Printing Sciences appointed Shane Burchett to the position of global customer experience director. Burchett joined Domino in September 2022. “Domino is a company that places clear and documented corporate value on its commitment to delivering the best possible CX throughout the customer lifetime,” Burchett said in a statement. “As a company, we ensure that CX is a culture — with all Domino employees enabled and aligned under a shared commitment and clear corporate values, to always provide the best for our customers.”

INX International Ink Co. completed an investment in DetraPel, an advanced materials company that manufacturers sustainable coatings. The investment focuses on paper and fiber-based packaging, while also supporting Sakata INX’s Ecostage GB-XA oxygen barrier coatings, the company notes. “Sakata INX develops various functional coating agents, but through this collaboration with DetraPel, we expect market traction will progress more rapidly,” said Katsuya Tanaka, general manager of international operations of corporate planning at Sakata INX Corp., in a statement.

Emerson recently introduced a new Class A, IO-Link master. The master provides customers with a cost-effective solution for smart and analog sensor connectivity on the AENTICS Series G3 Fieldbus platform, the company notes. It is suitable for machine architectures with many sensors and pneumatic valves, it says. By adding the IO-Link capabilities to valve systems, customers can include multiple IO-Link masters onto just one G3 Fieldbus platform, it adds.

Workplace solutions provider Toshiba America Business Solutions (TABS) is expanding its printer availability through a distribution partnership with Distribution Management (DM). “Toshiba looks forward to the opportunity to help more transportation and logistics, manufacturing, healthcare and retail organizations streamline their operations through the use of our printers through our agreement with Distribution Management,” said TABS Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Business Development, Bill Melo, in a statement. “Distribution Management and Toshiba have had a very successful long-term relationship and we’re confident they’ll continue this record of success for our printer clients as well.”

Bosch Rexroth announced that Erwin Wieckowski will be the new president and CEO of Bosch Rexroth North and Central America. The position change went into effect Oct. 1. Reinhard Schaefer was performing the role on an interim basis in addition to his role as a member of the Divisional Board of Management with responsibility for manufacturing. Schaefer will remain in the region of Charlotte, N.C. to support the transition. “We are thrilled to have Erwin join our organization,” Schaefer said in a statement. “I know he will successfully lead this region during a time of significant growth opportunities.”