India, June 20 -- Global packaging solutions provider Sidel reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, digitalization, and end-to-end packaging innovations during ProPak Asia 2025, held from 11 to 14 June in Bangkok, Thailand. Despite showcasing just one machine at their booth, the company leveraged the power of digitalization to represent the breadth of its expansive portfolio, reinforcing its strong presence and commitment to the Southeast Asia Pacific region.

"ProPak Asia is a Must for Us"

"For us, not attending ProPak Asia is simply not an option," emphasized Loic Leon, Vice President Sales - South East Asia Pacific at Sidel. "It's the biggest and most important event for us in this region. We use it not only to showcase our technology but also to connect with our customers and partners."

Leon explained that the physical display at the booth represented just a fraction of Sidel's offering. "Thanks to digitalization, we can present our entire portfolio. From packaging solutions to machinery and services, everything we do integrates sustainability."

Sustainability at the core of every innovation

Sidel's technological innovations showcased at ProPak Asia focused on sustainability, a core value embedded in its offerings. Leon highlighted several groundbreaking advancements: "One example is our Ultrasonic bottle washer, a disruptive technology for returnable glass bottles. It significantly reduces water and energy usage," he said.

He also pointed to their aseptic dry decontamination system, the first of its kind. "It cuts down on chemicals, making the process cleaner and greener," Leon said. "Through what we call Eco Design, we monitor and optimize consumption patterns using sensors and smart flow meters. If there's any deviation from targets, alerts are triggered, and we immediately investigate."

Additionally, packaging design continues to be a major focus. "Just yesterday, we posted about launching one of Thailand's lightest PET bottles, made possible by a new neck design and a highly technical yet sleek structure," said Leon.

Balancing performance with market appeal

Leon pointed out a critical balance when asked how Sidel's innovations align with the ProPak Asia 2025 theme of sustainability and smart solutions. "It is not just about cost-efficiency. If a lightweight bottle doesn't look good, it won't sell. We design to reduce environmental impact while keeping products attractive and marketable. This is what we call the green economy," he said.

Smart manufacturing through digitalization

Digital transformation was another major highlight of Sidel's participation. Leon discussed a newly launched cloud-based platform. "Customers can now access real-time data on energy use, line performance, and predictive maintenance. The cloud solution is role-specific-each user sees what they need to act fast and smart," he said.

Addressing emerging market trends

Parkpoom Praprom, Sales Director for Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, emphasized two dominant trends in Southeast Asia: sustainability and the surge in health-conscious beverages.

"Functional drinks like coconut water, vitamin-infused beverages, and dairy alternatives have grown exponentially, especially since COVID-19," Parkpoom noted. "Our aseptic technology plays a vital role in enabling our customers to produce and export these products not just domestically but to China, Europe, and the U.S."

Flexibility and recyclability in packaging

Parkpoom also outlined challenges faced by customers in the region. "Market dynamics and the cost of recycled PET are big concerns. Our aseptic platform is extremely flexible-it handles coconut water, milk, juice, and more, and it's compatible with 100% recycled PET," he said.

Leon echoed this, explaining how Sidel supports cost challenges with technology, "For example, recycled PET is more expensive than virgin PET. But with our Actis coating machine, we help customers reduce bottle weight, enhance recyclability, and extend shelf life-ultimately offsetting the cost difference."

Strategic importance of Southeast Asia

The Southeast Asia-Pacific region plays a crucial role in Sidel's global growth strategy. "This region is one of the most dynamic emerging markets," said Leon. "It presents both significant challenges and immense opportunities."

Given the region's pivotal role in Sidel's post-COVID expansion plans, the company is focused on strengthening its network of strategic collaborations.

"We work closely with our partners to deliver comprehensive solutions," Leon explained. "These are transparent, exclusive partnerships-not opportunistic alliances. Together, we ensure our customers receive unparalleled service and support."

Collaborations and customization as growth drivers

On the topic of partnerships, Leon was clear, "We work with select partners like EIT and others. Our collaborations are long-term, not opportunistic. Even if we don't offer a solution in-house, we bring in partners to ensure it is seamless and serviceable."

Customization is also a key strength. "We guide customers from the very start-with Gentlebrand, our in-house design agency, we help shape bottle and can designs. Once approved, our technical teams ensure these designs are industrially feasible. It is a smooth end-to-end process," Leon said.

Spotlight on innovation and future plans

At this year's event, Sidel showcased a cost-efficient rotary blower from the Synergy range, manufactured in India but supported by global engineering teams. "It is not just low-cost-it is high-performance and cost-efficient," Leon explained. "This platform helps us reach more customers who are conscious about budget but unwilling to compromise on quality."

Leon hinted at groundbreaking technologies set to be unveiled at Drinktec in Germany in September 2025. "We are preparing to launch disruptive, revolutionary innovations. Some customers have already seen previews," said Leon.

Sidel - A trusted partner of choice

Leon wrapped up with a message for prospective clients, "We are not just suppliers-we are partners. We offer everything from equipment and digital tools to packaging design, with sustainability woven into every solution. We listen, we adapt, and we innovate."

Parkpoom added, "That's why we are the partner of choice. We don't just sell machines-we co-create success stories with our clients."

With a robust showcase at ProPak Asia 2025 and a roadmap of innovations ahead, Sidel reaffirms its commitment to transforming the future of packaging through smart, sustainable, and customer-centric solutions.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.