More and more beverages today are being bottled and sold in aluminium – from sparkling water to craft beer, energy drinks, hard seltzer and cold brew coffee. But one increasingly popular category of beverages has been left out of the mix thus far: highly sensitive beverages such milk-based and plant-based drinks. These are in demand due to their nutritional content, but also unsuitable for traditional processing technologies for aluminium or tin cans, such as hot filling or filling with preservatives. GEA has solved this problem with a new aseptic filling line that accommodates both aluminium and PET plastic bottles: the Unibloc Flex.
Aseptic and aluminium – The best of both worlds
The GEA Unibloc Flex is the world’s first line system for filling aluminium bottles with aseptic processing technology. The GEA Unibloc Flex can process extremely sensitive liquid products – including milk-based and plant-based beverages – either still or carbonated, with or without particles. A simple, robust solution for reliable container and closure sterility in all environments, the GEA Unibloc Flex makes it easy for sensitive beverage producers wanting to add aluminium bottles to their portfolio. It requires just a simple adjustment when changing from one bottle shape or format to another, needs minimal maintenance and, given its compact layout, can be managed by a single operator.
GEA Unibloc Flex – Taking aseptic beverages to the next level
- Proven aseptic filling technology (peracetic acid and vaporized hydrogen peroxide) for container sterilization achieves safe, premium products with very long shelf-life
- Suitable for both high-acid and low-acid beverages
- Cutting-edge technology for aluminium closures sterilization and handling
- aluminium bottles with threaded cap for re-closability and portability
- Accommodates both aluminium and PET plastic bottles
- Minimum maintenance, compact layout, single operator
- Saves energy compared to conventional retort processing
aluminium on the move
Why is aluminium trending today as a bottling material? For starters, its elegant appearance lends beverages a more premium look and feel. But the list of advantages is long. It provides an excellent barrier against light, air and bacteria and can’t be beat for preserving the taste, color, odor and feel of beverages – while also ensuring their safety and nutritional integrity. Made with a single material, aluminium bottles are both 100% recyclable and, in contrast to multi-material packaging, easily recyclable thanks to established collection systems. aluminium bottles can be printed directly, which means no additional plastic labeling is required. And recent advances mean that less aluminium is needed to make each bottle, which translates into lower raw material and energy usage.
The GEA advantage
For decades, GEA has proven the high sterilization efficiency and reliability of its aseptic technology for every step of sensitive beverage bottling – and boasts more than 15 years of experience in FDA-approved projects and numerous packaging sterilization tests on aluminium bottles. GEA worked for more than a year together with aluminium bottles and closure suppliers to develop the groundbreaking GEA Unibloc Flex – a uniquely sustainable, flexible filling solution for sensitive beverages in aluminium bottles.
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