India, Feb. 27 -- At the 52nd Dairy Industry Conference & Exhibition (DIC) 2026, Sidel made a high-impact debut, positioning its aseptic PET technologies at the centre of Indias fast-evolving dairy landscape. In an exclusive interaction, Mayank Sood, Sales Director South Asia, Sidel, outlined the companys strategic intent, technology strengths, and long-term vision for the region.
Strengthening visibility among cooperatives and emerging dairies
For Sidel, DIC is more than just a trade fair; it is a strategic touchpoint with Indias rapidly diversifying dairy ecosystem.
We have been observing DIC for many years and have seen how it has grown. We truly felt that now was the right time for us to be present, said Mr Sood. While Sidel is widely known in high-speed market categories, especially among private sector customers, our visibility among cooperatives and small dairy players has been limited. DIC gives us the opportunity to interact with customers, engage with other OEMs, and demonstrate our presence and what we can offer in aseptic PET.
Sidels participation underscores its intent to deepen engagement beyond established private players and expand into cooperatives and regional dairies that are now upgrading to advanced packaging formats.
Indias health-driven shift aligns with Sidels core strength
Post-pandemic, Indias dairy sector has pivoted strongly toward health-oriented and functional products, high-protein beverages, probiotic drinks, and low-sugar formulations.
Post-COVID, we have observed that India has had a strong shift toward health-based products. We feel this is the right opportunity for us, Mr Sood explained. High-protein drinks, probiotic beverages, and low-sugar formulations are gaining traction. Aseptic PET is Sidels core business, so this evolution in the Indian market aligns very closely with our strengths.
With India being the worlds largest milk producer and one of the fastest-evolving dairy markets, the timing aligns closely with Sidels technological capabilities and aseptic portfolio, particularly for products that demand high food safety standards and extended shelf life.
Highlighting leadership in aseptic PET
At the booth, Sidel highlighted its flagship Aseptic Combi Predis, an integrated blowfillcap solution built around patented dry preform sterilisation technology.
We are highlighting our capabilities in aseptic PET and providing insights into our technology and what makes Sidel the best choice. There is a reason we are market leaders in this segment, Mr Sood stated. Technologies such as the Aseptic Combi Predis have been developed to address exactly what customers and dairy manufacturers are looking for: safe, reliable and efficient aseptic production.
The company emphasised that its leadership is rooted in innovation, with over 53 years of expertise and more than 400 aseptic systems installed globally.
Predis: FDA-approved innovation with measurable benefits
At the core of Sidels aseptic offering is Predis, its FDAapproved dry preform sterilisation technology.
Predis is a very smart solution, and the way we manage preform sterilisation is truly unique, Sood notes. Food safety is the first and most critical requirement in aseptic processing. With our solutions, customers can be confident in that area.
Beyond food safety, its key benefits include extended shelf life, reduced water consumption, and simplified, repeatable operations.
The first factor in aseptic processing is food safety. With our solutions, customers can be confident about food safety, he said. The second key benefit is longer shelf life, which consumers increasingly demand.
From an operational standpoint, Mr Sood added, Our systems are designed to be simple, safe, and highly efficient. Those three elements, guaranteed food safety, operational efficiency and ease of use, are what customers value most.
Flexible speed ranges: 12,000 to 66,000 bottles per hour
Sidels aseptic PET solutions are designed to serve both emerging dairies and high-volume producers. We offer a wide range of speed configurations, says Sood. Our solutions start with sixcavity machines producing around 12,000 bottles per hour and scale up to 66,000 bottles per hour. That flexibility allows customers to grow at their own pace.
The latest evolution, Aseptic Predis X4, further enhances output capabilities and digital integration. Capable of up to 240 hours of continuous production without stopping for cleaning or sterilisation, the system incorporates QSense filling technology for sensitive products ranging from UHT dairy to juices, teas and plantbased beverages.
Sustainability and lowest total cost of ownership
Sustainability is increasingly a commercial priority for Indian dairy producers, and Sidel positions its aseptic solutions accordingly.
With our Predis Aseptic Combi, we offer the lowest total cost of ownership in the market compared to competitors, Mr Sood asserted. Our chemical consumption is among the lowest in the industry, and by sterilising at the preform stage, we also reduce water use and contamination risk, which makes our solutions more sustainable.
By eliminating empty bottle handling and storage, the system delivers both environmental and operational advantages, particularly relevant in regions where resources and operating costs are under pressure.
End-to-end support: from bottle design to digital traceability
Sidel positions itself not just as an equipment supplier but as a long-term comprehensive solutions partner. We start with packaging development, says Sood. Customers come to us with a product concept and target market, and we help translate that into a complete packaging solution.
Support extends to liquidpackaging interaction studies, process collaboration with sister companies, transparent total cost of ownership analysis, and reference visits to operational sites.
For companies transitioning to aseptic PET for the first time, Sidel provides:
Transparent total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis
Complete packaging development support
Reference visits to operational sites
In-house technical expertise
For companies moving into aseptic PET for the first time, clarity is critical, he adds. Our role is to address their questions early and remove uncertainty from the decisionmaking process.
Addressing adoption challenges in India
While the opportunity is significant, Mr Sood acknowledged market realities. Market dynamics and geopolitical situations can make it difficult for customers to take long-term decisions. Post-COVID, logistical challenges, and global geopolitical issues affected planning, he said.
He added that while Indian customers prefer quick decision-making, aseptic investments require clarity of product strategy. At times, customers aim for maximum flexibility without full visibility of their actual requirements, which can delay decisions.
Digital solutions for compliance and traceability
Digital solutions are playing an increasingly significant role in aseptic operations, particularly in food safety compliance.
We offer in-house digital solutions that provide complete traceability and accountability. These tools support compliance requirements while giving customers greater transparency and control over their operations, Mr Sood explained. With recent advancements, we now have even more advanced digital solutions available.
Sidels QualIS digital quality control platform enhances monitoring, documentation and decisionmaking across production lines, strengthening confidence in both product quality and regulatory compliance.
Competitive edge: climate-independent performance
Operating conditions across South Asia can be challenging, but Sidel sees this as a competitive advantage rather than a barrier.
Mr Sood remained confident, We face competition globally, with OEMs coming from various regions. However, in India, we currently hold the highest market share, he proudly stated. Our systems do not require specific climatic conditions. In simple terms, our solutions can operate in any climate, whether tropical or otherwise.
Combined with its strong installed base, this adaptability underpins Sidels leading market position in India.
Five-year vision: dairy plus healthy niches
Sidels roadmap for South Asia remains firmly anchored in dairy, with growing attention to adjacent healthy beverage categories. We have a strong focus on South Asia due to the market potential. We have observed significant investments in recent years, particularly in dairy and healthy food products, Mr Sood said. Our vision is to continue supporting the dairy industry while also developing niche markets that align with evolving consumer preferences.
He concluded with a message of partnership: Sidel is here to support our customers. We are here to ensure that your business succeeds, and we succeed together.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.