Sidel has launched the Returnable PET – Still Water bottle, a new returnable PET bottle model developed for the still water segment. The solution responds to growing interest in reusable packaging in high-volume categories, where beverage producers and retailers are seeking ways to reduce waste and support a circular economy. According to the company, the new design was created specifically for still water applications rather than as an adaptation of packaging originally developed for carbonated water. This is intended to give producers greater design freedom and remove structural limitations resulting from the requirements imposed on packaging for carbonated beverages.
As Jerome Neveu, Packaging and Moulds Manager at Sidel, points out, the solution responds to growing consumer expectations regarding packaging reuse and to changing regulatory requirements, particularly in the European Union market. According to the company representative, the new bottle is intended to offer still water producers an optimised solution for packaging reuse. Neveu also adds that the still water segment is one of the largest parts of the bottled beverage market, which is why developing a dedicated returnable PET packaging solution for this application is significant both technologically and commercially.
A bottle designed for still water
According to Sidel, the new design marks a step forward in reusable packaging. The company states that, for the first time, beverage producers are being offered a returnable PET packaging system designed directly for the requirements of still water. In practice, this means moving away from solutions based on bottles developed for carbonated water and then also used for non-carbonated products.
Jerome Neveu said: "In response to growing consumer expectations regarding reuse and changing legal requirements, especially in the EU, Sidel has taken an important step in bottle design by offering still water producers a unique and optimised solution that enables packaging reuse." He added: "With our new Returnable PET – Still Water, Sidel has launched a returnable bottle designed specifically for still water, one of the largest segments of the bottled beverage market. Beverage producers are no longer limited to bottles originally designed for carbonated water. Instead, we are offering the first returnable PET bottle developed specifically for still water, providing significant lightweighting potential, lasting aesthetic qualities and options for customised design."
Weight, durability and recycling
Sidel states that the new returnable PET bottle for still water is 10% lighter than the lightest currently available 1-litre returnable bottles designed for carbonated water, which are currently also used for still water filling. The design was developed to withstand up to 25 washing cycles while maintaining durability and functional performance throughout its service life.
At end of use, the bottle is intended to be fully compatible with existing PET recycling systems, which according to the company enables closed-loop bottle-to-bottle recycling. Sidel also reports that the new packaging is compatible with the full range of EvoBlow blow moulding machines.
Capacity range and design options
The bottle is available in two shape variants, cylindrical and square, in volumes ranging from 0.5 to 2 litres. According to the manufacturer, the solution makes it possible to create customised designs referring to forms used in single-use bottles while maintaining the returnable packaging format.
Sidel also points to the possibility of using textured surfaces. This is intended to help preserve the bottle's visual and tactile qualities even after many reuse cycles. The company describes the new model as packaging with a glass-like appearance, intended among others for retail and for the hotel, restaurant and catering segment, where packaging aesthetics play an important role.
