CR Beverage expands production with Sidel’s high-speed aseptic lines, eyes US$640M IPO for growth
CHINA – CR Beverage, one of China’s leading bottled water producers, has strengthened its production capabilities with the installation of three high-speed aseptic complete lines from Sidel.
The investment aims to meet the rising demand for healthier beverages and eco-friendly packaging solutions in China’s growing market.
The move comes amid projections of a 4.6 percent compound annual growth rate in China’s beverage sector from 2023 to 2027, as reported by Global Data.
CR Beverage’s portfolio includes teas, juices, and carbonated drinks, complementing its dominance in the bottled water market.
Sidel installed the advanced aseptic lines at CR Beverage’s Yixing and Chengdu plants, featuring its state-of-the-art Aseptic Combi Predis systems. These lines cater to the production of both high- and low-acid beverages, handling bottle necks of 28 and 38 sizes.
In the Chengdu plant, the setup includes four EvoDECO labelers and conveyors, achieving output rates of 54,000 bottles per hour (bph) for 450ml bottles and 27,000 bph for 1L bottles.
Senior vice president at CR Beverage stated, “We’ve successfully introduced bottled water lines and aseptic lines from Sidel, all of which are now fully operational. The aseptic lines passed validation on the first attempt and met their production targets on time, demonstrating the professional expertise and high synergy of Sidel’s aseptic technology. We look forward to further cooperation in the future.”
The Aseptic Combi Predis technology utilizes dry hydrogen peroxide mist for preform sterilization before blow molding, ensuring product safety and extending shelf life while reducing water, energy, and chemical consumption.
This system aligns with sustainability standards by providing a reliable, eco-friendly packaging solution with the lowest total cost of ownership.
According to company statement, Sidel achieved a 100 percent first-pass validation success rate for the three aseptic lines, bringing them online within 90 days.
The milestone coincides with the fifth anniversary of local production of the Aseptic Predis system at Sidel’s Beijing plant, underscoring its commitment to sustainable and efficient solutions.
In October 2024, CR Beverage announced plans to raise HK$5 billion (US$640 million) through an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong to support its expansion.
The company plans to offer 347.8 million shares at HK$14.50 each, with provisions to increase the offering by 52.2 million shares to meet excess demand.
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