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Sidel has introduced a new returnable PET bottle designed specifically for the still water category, as beverage producers and retailers seek solutions that reduce waste and support circularity.

The new Returnable PET – Still Water format has been developed to meet growing demand for reusable packaging, particularly in light of shifting consumer expectations and regulatory developments in markets such as the EU.

Jerome Neveu, packaging and mold product manager at Sidel, said the launch represents “an important step in bottle design, offering still water producers unique and optimised, reusable solutions”.

Unlike existing formats adapted from carbonated beverages, the new bottle is purpose-built for still water, removing structural constraints linked to carbonation. According to the company, this allows producers greater flexibility in design while enabling lightweighting and improved durability.

Sidel said the bottle is 10% lighter than the lightest 1-litre returnable carbonated water bottles currently used for still water. It is designed to withstand up to 25 washing cycles, maintaining performance across repeated use.

The bottle is fully compatible with existing PET recycling streams, supporting bottle-to-bottle circularity at end of life. It can also be produced using Sidel’s EvoBLOW blow-moulding systems.

In terms of design, the format is available in cylindrical and square shapes, with capacities ranging from 0.5 to 2 litres. The company said the bottle enables customisation aligned with brands’ existing single-use designs, while offering a returnable alternative.

Textured surface options are designed to maintain a premium, glass-like appearance over multiple reuse cycles, targeting use across retail and foodservice channels including hotels, restaurants and catering.