The most advanced technology to the problem of filling sensitive beverages
in PET bottles is aseptic filling. A modern aseptic bottling line for sensitive
beverages is essentially composed of:
- a container sterilization system;
- a caps sterilization system;
- a filling machine capable of filling and capping containers in aseptic
conditions;
- an environmental contamination control system;
- a series of process systems that feeds the system with necessary
fluids (nitrogen, air, water) at optimum conditions for proper
functioning.
The elimination of the clean room used in the past for
environmental contamination control purposes and the simplification of the line
running procedures have globally boosted the market for aseptic lines
worldwide.
Many bottlers have invested in this sector to produce
premium segment beverages - innovative drinks in appealing
containers. The technological evolution in the last few years has permitted the
supply of more compact and reliable lines that guarantee maximum versatility:
it is now common to treat a wide variety of containers on the same line without
having to perform long format changeovers.
A modern aseptic line can fill at high speeds a vast array of products, both
still and sparkling beverages. Although it represents a major investment as
compared to the cost of a hot fill line, an aseptic line permits the use of PET
containers which are lighter as compared to those used by a hot fill line.
This leads to a saving that speeds up the investment returns. Moreover the
aseptic technology permits the filling of personalised bottles that have more
appeal upon the end customer.
With these capabilities, aseptic technology will become the main technology
used for filling sensitive products in the next few years, allowing production
of high quality beverages packaged in appealing containers, in a variety of
flavours, in line with market demand that is continuously changing.