Innovative PET solution offers full "beer on tap" experience to consumers

17-Nov-08

Sidel, a world leader in liquid food packaging solutions has worked with Grolsch Netherlands, a subsidiary of SABMiller Group to develop an innovative PET solution allowing consumers to enjoy the full "beer on tap" experience at home. The Grolsch product "Cheersch" is drafted from a handy two-liter bottle with a reusable tap kit. The compact two-liter bottle, patented by Grolsch is made from a special PET blend preform and produced on a Sidel blow moulding machine. The product has a guaranteed shelf life of six months and is supplied with CO2 cartridges which enable the consumer to draft their Cheersch at the same pressure as the trade. The system uses a tap unit which only needs to be bought once and does not require electricity to work. Using PET rather than other materials has many advantages. In contrast to glass, PET enables a custom-made bottle neck design which is necessary for a snug fit between bottle, valve, and tap unit. Also, PET can withstand the pressure necessary to allow drafting beer without electricity. The 2-liter bottle is lightweight and easy to handle. Sidel was chosen by Grolsch as the sole partner with responsibility for the whole line including sub-supplier Coster who produces the valve-inserter and closure unit. The Sidel line includes a Eurotronica FM-LT filler, a Rollquattro labeller, Robokombi palletizers and depalletizers, and conveyors.