Driving Innovation and Efficiency in PET Packaging

Q1. SIPA and ALSAD have a longstanding collaboration—how has this partnership contributed to the growth and innovation of your production processes?

Talal Yamani:
For many years, Al Sad has chosen Sipa as our sole supplier for preform injection systems, leading to the result where Our collaboration with SIPA continues to be a major factor in both companies success. The XFORM 500 systems have not only increased our capacity—with 13 units producing over 24 million preforms daily—but also driven innovation through superior cycle times, energy efficiency, and system robustness. This synergy has enhanced our ability to scale up operations, serve Targeted market segments, and maintain top-tier quality. Moreover, SIPA’s technical and service support has ensured agility and minimal downtime, enabling us to consistently pursue new opportunities.

Q2. What brought ALSAD to choose SIPA, and how did SIPA deliver on those expectations?

Talal Yamani:
When choosing a partner, nevertheless technology partner, we were looking for a company that could offer both technical excellence and a deep understanding of the packaging industry’s evolving demands, as well as a partner that understands the specific needs of AlSad and the unique requirements we have or might have. SIPA stood out not only for their robust engineering and reliability but also for their attention to detail when it comes to energy savings and system flexibility. The XFORM 500 platform, with its innovative KERS energy recovery system, all-electric toggles, and optimized extruder insulation, provided exactly the kind of performance we needed. SIPA met our expectations and more, especially in terms of responsiveness and reliability during challenging times—such as the beginning of first XFORMs installation during the COVID-19 pandemic, when SIPA managed to carry out system installations efficiently and safely.

Q3. What are the current trends in the Saudi PET packaging market, and how is ALSAD adapting to them?

Talal Yamani:
The Saudi PET packaging market is undergoing a dynamic transformation. We are witnessing a steady rise in demand, driven largely by growth in sectors such as food and beverage, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. The push for recyclability and environmental compliance—aligned with Vision 2030 targets—is also significantly influencing packaging choices and production methods.

In response, ALSAD, as a part of SEQA GROUP has taken concrete steps to remain ahead of the curve. We’ve broadened our preform portfolio, offering multiple formats to suit various sister companies and other end-user needs. Flexibility in production is more important than ever, and with SIPA’s equipment, we are able to switch molds and weights quickly and efficiently. The ability to adapt production lines to meet increasingly customized and fast-paced demand has been a major competitive advantage for us.

Q4. Sustainability and efficiency are central themes: how is ALSAD addressing these, and how does SIPA contribute?

Talal Yamani:
Sustainability is no longer a trend—it’s a necessity. At SEQA GROUP, hence, ALSAD, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact across every aspect of our operations. This includes lowering energy usage, minimizing raw material waste, and enhancing the recyclability of our products without affecting the productivity. SIPA’s XFORM technology plays a crucial role in helping us reach these goals. Each XFORM 500 machine consumes less than 200 Wh per kilogram of PET processed, which positions us well below industry averages in terms of energy usage.

In addition, the high efficiency and stability of the system result in minimal production waste, with shot-to-shot variation consistently under 0.025%. The design of the machines also ensures long-term operational reliability with low maintenance needs—thanks in part to features like extended mold life, which is guaranteed for over eleven million cycles. These qualities together reduce our total cost of ownership and help us build a more sustainable production model.

Q5. What’s next for ALSAD—key projects, future developments, innovations?

Talal Yamani:
Looking forward, ALSAD is focused on continuing its digital transformation and investing in technologies that improve both efficiency and quality. We are currently implementing smart monitoring systems and exploring the integration of AI-based tools for predictive maintenance and real-time quality control. These developments will allow us to enhance traceability and reduce downtime even further and achieve industry 4.0 goals.

Another area we are expanding is our lightweighting program. We are working on new preform designs that push the boundaries of weight reduction while maintaining strength and consistency. This is essential not only for cost-effectiveness but also for sustainability. At the same time, we are preparing to integrate higher percentages of recycled PET into our production, aligning with both local and international environmental standards.

We are also exploring opportunities to diversify our packaging solutions, potentially expanding into new. And finally, we are evaluating the expansion of our production footprint to meet rising demand—both in terms of capacity and geographic reach.

In this journey, SIPA remains a key strategic partner. Their advanced technology and continuous innovation support our long-term goals, enabling us to lead the way in both quality and sustainability within the region’s rapidly evolving packaging landscape.