Sidel supports clean water access in UAE with carbon-efficient water line installation

04 Nov 2021 --- Sidel has equipped Zulal Water Factory (Zulal), in Sharjah, UAE, with a complete water line, increasing productivity by 280% with a run rate of up to 45,000 bottles per hour, while decreasing carbon footprint. The Super Combi Compact line also saves 56% on energy costs against Zulal’s existing PET line. 

The layout was reportedly a key element of the line design as it had to be installed in the existing location. Sidel experts managed to accommodate the configuration of the Super Combi Compact and conveyors, and two packers, into the existing space, thereby achieving around a 25% overall space saving due to the redesigned “Accumulation, Combiner and Labeller.”

“After installing Sidel’s complete water line, we now have the capacity to supply our products to major airlines, hotels, schools and offices,” comments Ali Ahmed Ali Al Kindi, Zulal department manager at Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA).

Carbon savings
Zulal wanted to optimize its carbon footprint in line with SEWA’s environmental sustainability policy. By redesigning the PET bottles, and reducing the weight, the new bottle for 330 ml and 500 ml formats now weigh just 9.75 g and 12.5 g, saving up to 0.65 gm and 1 gm respectively per bottle.Sidel has equipped Zulal with a run rate of up to 45,000 bottles per hour.

The redesign also reduces Zulal’s carbon footprint by minimizing PET use, estimated at a saving of 215 kg for 330 ml and 331 kg for 500 ml per production run.

Additionally, due to Sidel’s complete line solution, Zulal pays 56% less for energy while increasing the productivity by 280% compared to its existing line.

In recent times, Sidel has also equipped companies in Guinea, Romania, Iraq and India with energy-efficient beverage lines.

The liquid packaging specialist recently launched a highly flexible Industry 4.0 case-packing platform for reduced repacking, and designed an asymmetric Viking-inspired recycled PET bottle for a fjord-sourced premium water brand.The new line gives Zulal the capacity to supply products to major airlines, hotels, schools and offices in UAE.

Clean drinking water
Zulal’s vision is to provide clean, pure drinking water for all people in the region. The company is the only water enterprise providing 100% pure groundwater directly from the Hamdah wells in Sharjah. The water is certified by international standards and packed “according to the highest international standards for packaging drinking water.”

The connection between Zulal and Sidel can be dated back to the late 1990s when Zulal first installed a Sidel blower. In 2019, the company reached out to Sidel again for a new high-speed line to meet market demand. As a complete line solution provider, Sidel consulted the customer on packaging design and line capacity and line design and layout.

Edited by Joshua Poole

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