T increase the capacity of its prolom mineral water production facility, the serbian spa resort owner and bottler planinka is again turning to sidel, the leading provider of production equipment and
29 September 2016
29/09/2016
Maintaining the healthy properties of Prolom water waskey for this customer. This is why the excellent hygienicconditions and the high accuracy offered by the Sidel Matrix™equipment represented a central factor in the decision makingprocess. Also important was the mutual trust built betweenthe two companies during their cooperation of almost 10years.
Natural health properties provide marketadvantage
Planinka is a joint-stock company founded in 1964. They beganbottling Prolom water at their bottling facility in 1990 inresponse to continuing local demand and the growing global trendfor healthier drinks. At the time, there were only sparklingwaters available in the former state of Yugoslavia, with no stillwaters on the domestic market at all.
The average unit price of bottled water in Serbia increased by4% above the country's inflation rate in 2015. Domesticproducers remain in a much better overall position in Serbia,despite the growing popularity of imported bottled water fromcountries such as Croatia and Slovenia. With numerous naturalsprings in the area offering very high quality water, localbottlers are able to provide the optimum combination of quality andcost which international companies find difficult to match[1].
Prolom spring water ensures optimal rehydration with its naturaldiuretic and bacteriostatic effects. Additionally, the highalkalinity of Prolom water makes it ideal for establishing thebody's pH balance and, due to its low mineralisation, it can beconsumed in quantities - by children, pregnant women, athletes andother consumers for whom health and wellbeing is an importantconsideration.
A solid relationship with Sidel
Planinka has worked with Sidel since 2007, when itpurchased its first blower, a Universal SBO 6, for its waterbottling line at its facility in Prolom Banja. As Mr.Dragoslav Ilic, Head of Prolom Voda says, "We have been supportedby Sidel for nearly a decade now - and consequently we have greatconfidence in both their equipment and the expertise theyprovide." So when the company decided to invest for the firsttime in a complete new production line to meet the demands of itsdomestic and export markets, it capitalised on the existing,trusted relationship established with Sidel.
"As top producers in the beverage business, we are looking forgreat performance and the lowest possible total cost of ownership(TCO) from all our production lines," continues Mr. Ilic. "The mainchallenge of this particular project related to spaceconstraints. However, Sidel's line project team was able tooffer the solution to fit all the component machinery needed forthe line into the available space in a safe and functionalway."
As this is the first occasion that Planinka has purchased acomplete mineral water production line - including a Combi solutioncomprising blowing, filling and capping processes in a singlesystem - the company conducted some investigative trips in bothSerbia and Italy before finalising its decision.
Mr. Ilic concludes "We were impressed by the very high standardsof hygiene and performance demonstrated by the complete line,particularly the contactless filling process and the differenttypes of enclosure configuration of the Sidel Matrix Filler. It further increased our confidence in Sidel's capabilities and ina solution through which we can maintain the great quality ofProlom water on the new line."
Optimum hygiene to maintain waterproperties
The complete new line installation will begin in October 2016,at the Prolom Voda facility, and will operate in addition to theexisting PET bottling line. It will include a compact SidelMatrix Combi, featuring a Sidel Matrix blower SBO 6 and a SidelMatrix Filler SF100 FM with 36 valves. The Sidel Matrix Combiis based on the most cost effective technology of the latestgeneration of Sidel Matrix systems. The Combi systemintegrates the blow-fill-cap functions in a single unit - withneck-handling transfer of bottles enabling potential forlightweight bottles - occupying up to 30% less floor space andrequiring only one operator, due to its single and simple controlinterface.
Sidel Matrix SBO blowers create the very highest PET bottlequality and performance. They offer the flexibility to pick andchoose a size and shape that best fit specific productionneeds. With three sizes of blowing stations and up to 200possible blower configurations, almost endless distinctive light orultra-lightweight bottle shapes are possible in sizes ranging from0.1 litre to 3.5 litres.
Additionally, the new 13,200 bph Prolom PET bottling line willfeature the contactless Sidel Matrix Filler SF100 FM, suitablydeveloped to handle with high precision the filling of beverageswith little or no conductivity. For high accuracy andimproved efficiency, it minimises product losses and its externaltank holding the beverage is easy to clean. All parts thatcome into contact with the water are made from stainless steel AISI(American Iron and Steel Institute) 316L. A tight enclosure,featuring HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters on theroof, keeps the filling environment safe, preventing risk ofcontamination and further increasing the already excellentstandards of hygiene. The health properties of natural Prolomwater are vital to the appeal of the brand so maintaining thesethrough a fully hygienic bottling process is central to the brand'songoing success.
The complete line will also include equipment from the SidelGroup, such as a highly efficient cap feeder; an automaticshrinkwrapper; and bottle and pack conveyors.
Paolo Givera, Sales Director Southern Europe at Sidel said "Theexcellent relationship we have already built up with Planinkacontinues to develop through this new complete lineinstallation. It demonstrates the benefits of closecollaboration between the beverage producer and the solutionprovider. This allowed us to create a line tailored to thespecific site requirements, achieving the desired bottling capacityin what was a relatively confined space, while also offering thehigh levels of hygiene required."
