After installing a Sidel PET Combi line for four liter water bottles in 2014, Chinese bottled producer Nongfu Spring has invested in a second Sidel bottling line that produces 14,000 bottlers per hour.
Sidel says Nongfu Spring water commands 22% market share in China’s competitive bottled water segment in 2013.
In addition to the regular 380 ml, 550 ml and 1.5 liter polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle formats, the company’s bottled water is also available in a four-liter family size, which, until recently, was only available in high density polyethylene (HDPE).
When Nongfu Spring decided to switch from HDPE to PET for its four-liter bottles, the company was looking to create a bottle to stand out on the supermarket shelf.
Nongfu Spring also wanted to achieve a more cost effective and sustainable production process for the family bottle format. The inherent properties of HDPE result in certain constraints in bottle design, lowering bottle appeal and perceived value for consumers.
The PET bottle is fully transparent and light, requiring less material to produce and creating less waste compared to a HDPE bottle that lacks clarity and needs more material to manufacture.
When Nongfu Spring decided to switch to PET, it came with very precise and specific technical requirements for the bottling line.
