Yili Group, Asia’s largest dairy company, received support and expertise from Sidel to install a versatile Aseptic Lab filler, which has been designed primarily for R&D, and is situated in Yili’s specially constructed facility.
The installation will enable Yili to launch new products and adapt existing bottles, further enhancing its reputation for innovation, and strengthening the strategic partnership forged by the two companies, which commenced in 2017.
Already in operation, Sidel’s versatile Aseptic Lab filler has been designed with the customer’s specific needs in mind, and will allow Yili to lead the market in innovation and versatility, while providing a platform to rapidly develop and launch products more efficiently.
Compact in scale, the versatile Aseptic Lab filler was conceived to enable Yili to research and test product designs, enabling test runs consisting of a small number of bottles with different shapes and sizes.
Entirely flexible, the line also allows Yili’s developers to customise any element of the test projects, ranging from the overall product to the specific neck, bottle format or capping.
In addition to the several types of aseptic filling processes for both still and carbonated drinks, this lab can handle other types of filling processes, such as hot filling. Additional benefits include huge flexibility, simplicity of operation, comprehensive maintenance and troubleshooting.
Yili has been supported by Sidel in meeting new demands for products, helping to maintain its leading position in the dairy market, and to develop its presence in the market of other soft drinks.
The delivery of Sidel’s versatile Aseptic Lab filler, along with a new EvoBLOW her with six cavities, benefited from a combination of expertise, both in China and across the world.
The impact of the Covid pandemic created many challenges during the assembly of the line. However, Sidel and Yili cooperated very closely to ensure the successful completion of the project.
The installation and technical assistance were delivered fully through professional guidance, conducted remotely via virtual calls by Sidel, and executed on the ground by experienced engineers based in Greater China.
“The official launch of the PET versatile Aseptic Lab filler in Yili’s Shanghai innovation centre represents the further deepening of the strategic partnership between Yili and Sidel – from equipment supplying to all-round cooperation in packaging development, product development, and resource and knowledge sharing,” said Filippo Fu, Sidel’s regional sales director for China.
“In relying on Sidel’s new PET versatile Aseptic Lab filler, Yili will not only continue to consolidate and expand its leading positionin PET dairy packaging, but also lay a solid foundation for further expanding its popularity and influence in the beverage industry.
“Yili’s choice also proves the value and contribution of SIdel in food safety, packaging innovation and sustainable development.”
The ongoing strategic partnership will enable Sidel to support Yili in leading in the areas of innovation and sustainability, with the newly-installed versatile Aseptic Lab filler providing the means to develop designs and products, which maintain an existing level of sustainability.
It will also be able to experiment and attempt breakthrough in energy conservation, in addition to consumption and emission reduction, which can be shared to enable Sidel to further strengthen its service to customers.
