Yili Group, Asia’s largest dairy company, received support and expertise from Sidel to install a versatile Aseptic Lab filler, which has been designed primarily for research and development and is situated in Yili’s specially constructed facility. It will enable the regional market leader to launch new products and adapt existing bottles, further enhancing its reputation for innovation.

Already in operation, Sidel’s versatile Aseptic Lab filler has been designed with the customer’s specific needs in mind. It will allow Yili to lead the market in innovation and versatility while providing a platform to rapidly develop and launch products more efficiently. Compact in scale, the versatile Aseptic Lab filler was conceived to enable Yili to research and test product designs, enabling test runs consisting of a small number of bottles with different shapes and sizes.

Entirely flexible, the line also allows Yili’s developers to customise any element of the test projects, ranging from the overall product to the specific neck, bottle format, or capping. In addition to the several types of aseptic filling processes for still and carbonated drinks, this lab line can handle other filling processes, such as a hot filling. Additional benefits include huge flexibility, simplicity of operation, comprehensive maintenance, and troubleshooting.

As a provider of healthy food and a strong advocate of a healthy lifestyle, Yili aligns closely to its highest principle belief of quality being as precious as life itself. Yili has been supported by Sidel in meeting new demands for products, helping to maintain its leading position in the dairy market and to develop its presence in the market of other soft drinks.

The delivery of Sidel’s versatile Aseptic Lab filler, along with a new EvoBLOW eHR with six cavities, benefited from a combination of expertise, both in China and across the world. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges during the assembly of the line. However, Sidel and Yili cooperated very closely to ensure the successful completion of the project. The installation and technical assistance were delivered fully through professional guidance, conducted remotely via virtual calls by Sidel, and executed on the ground by experienced engineers based in Greater China.

Sidel and Yili have forged a strategic partnership that commenced in 2017.  Sidel’s values of customer excellence, collaboration, innovation, and sustainability align with similar values typical of Yili Group too, who assessed equipment capacity, technical support, ability to innovate, product quality, sustainable development, and service across the board in their search for a strategic partner.

Filippo Fu, Sidel Regional Sales Director China, said: “The official launch of the PET versatile Aseptic Lab filler in Yili’s Shanghai innovation centre represents the further deepening of the strategic partnership between Yili and Sidel, from equipment supplying to all-round cooperation in packaging development, product development, resource and knowledge sharing. In relying on Sidel’s new PET versatile Aseptic Lab filler, Yili will not only continue to consolidate and expand its leading position in PET dairy packaging but also lay a solid foundation for further expanding its popularity and influence in the beverage industry. Yili’s choice also proves the value and contribution of Sidel in food safety, packaging innovation and sustainable development.”

Innovation and sustainability are of mutual importance to both Sidel and Yili. The ongoing strategic partnership will enable Sidel to support Yili in leading in this area, with the newly-installed versatile Aseptic Lab filler providing the means to develop designs and products that maintain an existing sustainability level. It will also be able to experiment and attempt breakthroughs in energy conservation, in addition to consumption and emission reduction, which can be shared to enable Sidel to further strengthen its service to customers.

Find out more about Sidel’s Aseptic Combi equipment and how you can access this kind of support for your business on the Sidel website.