ProductionTechnologies

Years of experience have enabled us at Prigat to master the usage of the main Processing and Filling Technologies: Hot Filling and Aseptic Filling, using wide range of packages including PET bottles, glass bottles and aseptic beverage cartons.


Prigat's vast know-how in this field has served and continues to serve our licensees worldwide.


Hot Filling


The Hot Filling Technology is generally simpler than that of the Aseptic Filling and has a lower initial investment cost.


A classic Hot Filling line includes the following components:

 

  • Syrup Room
  • Pasteurizer
  • Rinser
  • Filler
  • Capper
  • Cooling Tunnel

 

The range of products that may be processed with this filling method is limited to beverages with high acidity.
The hot filling concept basically means that it is the product itself, bottled at high temperatures (85-95°C), which sterilizes the bottle and the cap. In the event that the temperature drops below a pre-set value, microbiological problems may occur in the production phase.
Packaging materials used in the Hot Filling technology include glass and "heat set" PET bottles. However, standard PET bottles cannot be used in this production technology as they would simply collapse due to the high temperature. Therefore "heat set" heavier PET bottles have been developed to resist temperatures of 85-95°C.
 

Aseptic Filling


The most advanced technology used in filling sensitive beverages in PET bottles is Aseptic Filling.

 

A modern aseptic bottling line for sensitive beverages is essentially composed of:

 

  • Syrup Room
  • Pasteurizer
  • Container Sterilization System
  • Cap Sterilization System
  • Filling Machine capable of filling and capping containers in aseptic conditions
  • Environmental Contamination Control System
  • Processing Mechanism which provides the system with necessary components (nitrogen, air, water) at optimum conditions for proper functioning

 

The global market for Aseptic Lines has boosted due to the elimination of the clean room used in the past for environmental contamination control purposes as well as the simplification of the line running procedures.