Amcor Ltd. started 24/7 operation of Groupe Sidel's first SBO Universal blow molding machine, running PET bottles for carbonated beverages at its plant in Blythewood, S.C.
Sidel said installation of the SBO 16 was fast, since Amcor had to fill a large order for soft drink bottles. The press makes 1,800 bottles per hour from each mold, for a total of 28,800 bottles an hour. The machine is energy efficient and easily accessible for plant workers.
Atlanta-based Sidel totally redesigned the preform feeder.
Sidel said the Blythewood plant, Amcor's largest, employs about 200 people and cranks out about 2 billion PET beverage bottles a year.
Groupe Sidel offers the SBO Universal in six models, ranging from six to 20 molds with output rates from 10,000-36,000 bottles an hour. The company's U.S. unit, Sidel Inc., is based in Norcross.