At the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards 2026 ceremony, Sidel was honoured with two distinctions for solutions that support sustainability in the beverage packaging sector. The Sustainable Innovation Award went to the EvoBlow Laser system, a breakthrough solution in PET container forming, while the Swing Evo tunnel pasteurizer received the Sustainable Product Award title. Both pieces of equipment were recognised for reducing resource consumption, cutting waste and improving process efficiency at beverage producers.
The SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement and Leadership) Awards, presented since 2017, aim to distinguish companies that make a measurable contribution to sustainable development and implement initiatives with a long-term positive environmental impact. Previous laureates have included global brands such as Apple, Ikea and Adidas. This year's awards for Sidel are part of a broader trend towards technologies that enable lighter packaging, higher shares of recycled raw materials and lower energy and water demand in bottling plants.
EvoBlow Laser: reduction of PET use and preform waste
The EvoBlow Laser system was developed in response to rising demands regarding performance and efficient material use in PET bottle blow moulding. The solution shortens production line downtime and improves material distribution and control along the bottle wall. This makes it possible to lower the weight of the package while maintaining required strength parameters, which translates into reduced raw material consumption.
An important aspect is also the reduction of maintenance requirements and a decrease in preform waste by about 50% compared with comparable systems based on halogen technology. The lower level of rejects is significant both economically and environmentally, as it reduces material losses and the related burden on recycling or disposal processes.
The EvoBlow Laser system also facilitates broader use of recycled PET, because it is less sensitive to changes in material properties. Process stability under variable feedstock parameters is crucial in conditions of a growing rPET content in beverage bottles. When process parameters or heating settings need to be adjusted, the system enables very rapid changes while maintaining consistent product quality from the first to the last bottle in the series.
"The new EvoBlow Laser system from Sidel shows what can be achieved when performance and sustainability go hand in hand," said Alexandre Huet, Product Manager for Blowing at Sidel. "This award is highly significant as it recognises the impact of Sidel's work, lighter but stronger packaging, lower electricity consumption, reduced waste and easier use of rPET. EvoBlow Laser proves that breakthrough innovation can deliver real, immediate benefits for both producers and our planet."
SWING Evo: tunnel pasteurizer focused on resource efficiency
The Swing Evo tunnel pasteurizer was designed for soft drink and beer manufacturers seeking solutions that combine microbiological safety with reduced media and energy consumption. The configuration of the unit based on counter-current flow, together with dedicated heating and water circuits, helps minimise heat losses and eliminate unnecessary circulation between individual tanks.
Each pasteurizer module is controlled independently, allowing precise adjustment of process parameters to current production requirements and product type. This architecture supports optimisation of the pasteurisation profile and line flexibility, especially when packaging formats or recipes change frequently.
The unit can be equipped with the Prince-E pasteurisation control system, described as the most advanced solution in this area within the company's portfolio. Prince-E provides high accuracy in terms of bactericidal action, while reducing the risk of incomplete pasteurisation through a predictive approach. The system's software also includes new functions aimed at further reducing energy and cooling water consumption. An additional outcome is increased equipment reliability thanks to a wide range of fully automated operations.
Significance of the SEAL Awards for the beverage packaging sector
The SEAL Sustainable Innovation Award for the EvoBlow Laser system highlights Sidel's long-term commitment to improving resource efficiency in the packaging industry. The distinction for the Swing Evo pasteurizer in the Sustainable Product Award category at the same time shows that process solutions such as pasteurisation can significantly contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of the finished beverage.
Against the backdrop of tightening regulations and corporate strategies focused on the circular economy, technologies that enable weight reduction of packaging, higher recyclate content, lower energy and water consumption and reduced production waste are gaining importance. The SEAL awards for Sidel's solutions provide an example of the direction in which filling lines and beverage thermal treatment systems are evolving.
As the beverage packaging industry looks for ways to further reduce its environmental impact, technologies such as EvoBlow Laser and Swing Evo may become an important element in modernising existing plants and designing new installations. The SEAL distinctions confirm for Sidel that developing solutions which combine production efficiency with prudent resource use is aligned with the key challenges facing the market.
