After years of processing ultra-pasteurized milk in gallon jugs and half gallon cartons, Aurora started to bottle low-acid, shelf-stable organic milk in PET in 2019 by choosing Sidel’s Aseptic Combi Predis. By doing so, Aurora benefits from increased marketing opportunities while leveraging a cost-effective and flexible production process. PET packaging allows brand differentiation due to the virtually endless design freedom it offers, while ensuring strong brand recognition across a complete bottle family from large to on-the-go formats. These properties are highly valued by Aurora, which is now producing its organic milk bottled in PET in 8oz, 12oz, 16oz and 32oz squared containers, reminiscent of the classic glass milk bottles used for home delivery in the past.
An FDA-approved aseptic PET solution for Aurora
Aurora implemented Sidel’s Aseptic Combi Predis because of its certified proficiency: on top of its more than 180 references worldwide, the solution was the world’s first aseptic PET filling equipment with dry preform sterilisation to get approved by the FDA three years ago. Thus, Aurora’s extremely high standards are preserved by the barrier properties offered by PET – enabling the highest food safety requirements – and the 100% sterile processing and packaging provided by the line. Sidel’s reputation in aseptic packaging (more than 40 years both in PET and in aseptic applications) was also a key purchasing factor for Aurora, backed up by their first-hand experience of Sidel’s centre of expertise for filling plus some customer visits in the US as well as in Europe to observe the Combi Predis in action.
Big change made easy
Sidel’s Aseptic Combi Predis offers the simplest and fastest dry preform decontamination on the market, the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and an optimised environmental footprint. No water is used in this process and the use of chemicals is radically reduced while maintaining a high output, offering great ease of operations and ensuring a very flexible production. The latter aspect was a critical success factor in this project, considering Aurora’s need for producing multiple SKUs and delivering on store brands’ expectations.
Teams from Sidel and Aurora have completed the ramp-up and the commercial validation of the aseptic PET complete line, successfully filling the various bottle formats, now available on the market.
“Our innovation team has been working very closely with the Sidel packaging team to quickly develop new container designs. Sidel has been a great partner throughout this process, and we are extremely excited about the future capabilities this line provides us and our customers,” Lee concludes.
