Swiss-based packaging company Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) has constructed its second aseptic carton packaging production plant in Suzhou, China.
The project was undertaken to meet the growing demands for packaged food and beverages in the Asia-Pacific region. It was developed with an estimated investment of €175m ($212m) and opened at the end of 2020.
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By 2024, production at the facility is expected to reach eight billion carton packs per year and the number of employees will increase to around 400.
Location
The plant is located near SIG’s existing production site within the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), enabling the utilisation of shared resources across production and operations.
SIP is a commercial and cultural hub in the Yangtze River Delta region. It covers a 278km² administrative area and is well-connected by highways, railways, watercourses and air routes. The site is accessible from Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing by rail.
The new facility is close to SIG’s Asia Pacific Tech Center, renowned for its innovative capabilities, ensuring a continuous stream of new concepts and solutions for SIG customers.
SIG aseptic carton production plant design and features
The new state-of-the-art production plant spans across a 120,000m² area in eastern Suzhou. The facility is built in strict accordance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification standard, the first plant with this certification in China’s aseptic packaging industry.
The facility seamlessly integrates traditional classic Chinese garden features with contemporary elements.
The intelligent management of the production process in the new plant leads to a significant enhancement in operational and production efficiency. The smart manufacturing system encompasses extrusion, printing, creasing, cutting and sealing operations.
Technology
SIG combines aseptic technology and carton sleeves, which facilitate different varieties, shapes, sizes and filling capacities.
It utilises the aseptic process to pack beverages and liquid food. The process is designed to retain the products’ colours, nutrients and flavours. The products allow for a shelf life of up to a year without refrigeration.
Sustainability features of the aseptic carton plant
The facility integrates sustainable elements that meet worldwide environmental, safety and operational benchmarks. It emits minimal carbon emissions and utilises photovoltaic roof panels capable of generating 1.5-kilowatt hours of solar energy.
Rainwater collected is treated and recycled, resulting in the conservation of 28,000t of water annually.
Energy-efficient lighting fixtures and specialised lighting systems are installed throughout the plant to conserve electricity.
SIG’s packaging products
SIG produces aseptic cartons that are lightweight and durable. The varieties produced by the company include Combibloc, Combifit, Combismile and Combidome, which are available in multiple shapes and sizes.
SIG’s SIGNATURE PACK is the first aseptic carton to be made from plant-based renewable material. It is made from paperboard sourced from up to 82% FSCTM [Forestry Commission]-certified wood and has 66% less impact than a standard carton.
The SIGNATURE PACK range includes the SIGNATURE PACK 100, which is an aluminium-free package, and the SIGNATURE PACK Full Barrier, which has a thin layer of aluminium.
The SIGNATURE PACK won the title for the ‘Best carton or pouch’ in the Beverage Innovation Award 2017.
SIG’s operations in Asia
SIG first entered China through the establishment of a 17,500m² tech centre opened in February 2019. The facility undertakes the development and manufacturing of filling technology along with filling tests for customers, as well as offering training.
It is SIG’s second-biggest centre and provides internal and external training on aseptic filling machines and other products.
The company’s recent investments target the growing Asian markets with a focus on the Chinese market, where rising income levels are bringing about changes in lifestyles and consumption habits.
Demand for on-the-go consumption products, as well as nutritional food and drinks, is increasing in the country due to improving awareness of health and nutrition, resulting in increasing demand for SIG’s aseptic cartons.
Additionally, the company is substantially expanding its capacity in the Asia Pacific region. The company has a plant in Rayong, Thailand, and began the construction of its first aseptic carton plant in Gujarat, India, in 2023.
