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We recently sat down with Ilya Tatarinov, General Manager of POLY-TRADE, a leading Ukrainian preform converter. Founded in 2016, POLY-TRADE has rapidly grown into one of Ukraine's most progressive producers, with a capacity exceeding 6 million bottles per month.
Based in an increasingly fragmented and fast-paced market, POLY-TRADE has established itself as a resilient and forward-thinking manufacturer. By operating two SIPA Xform 160 systems and managing over 12 different preform formats, they have successfully combined high-volume efficiency with the flexibility needed to serve a wide range of beverage SKUs.
Today, POLY-TRADE is at the forefront of a major market shift, being the first in the region to successfully implement the 1810 Lightweight neck finish—a solution that offers significant resin savings without requiring costly bottling line conversions for their customers.
1. How has the Xform 160 helped you manage such a high variety of SKUs and small production runs effectively?
The SIPA Xform 160 has been a key enabler for handling our diversified portfolio of 12 SKUs across just two machines. Its fast mold changeover time and high process stability allow us to switch between formats with minimal downtime. This is critical for us, as we operate in a market where flexibility and responsiveness are more important than just volume. Additionally, the machine’s repeatability ensures consistent quality even in shorter production runs, which significantly reduces material waste and start-up losses.
2. What was the deciding factor in switching to the SIPA Xform 160, and has it delivered on cycle times?
The main deciding factors were reliability, flexibility, and energy efficiency. Previously, we worked with other suppliers, but the SIPA Xform 160 offered a better balance between cycle time performance and operational stability. In real production conditions, the machine has met — and in some cases exceeded — the promised cycle times. More importantly, it maintains these cycle times consistently without compromising quality, which is something we did not always experience before.
3. Why stay with PCO1810 instead of switching to lighter alternatives like PCO1881 or GME30.40?
While newer neck finishes like PCO1881 and GME30.40 offer higher lightweighting potential, the decision is not purely about weight reduction. For many of our customers, compatibility with existing filling lines, capping equipment, and closures remains a decisive factor. PCO1810 is still a highly standardized and widely adopted solution, especially in regional markets where CAPEX optimization is critical.
The introduction of 1810 Lightweight (LW) allows us to deliver material savings while preserving full compatibility — offering the best of both worlds.
4. Any compromise in bottle performance or cap compatibility with the lightweight version?
No, we have not observed any negative impact on bottle performance.
The lightweight preforms have been carefully engineered to maintain top-load strength, pressure resistance, and sealing integrity. Cap compatibility has also remained fully consistent with standard PCO1810 closures, which was essential for our customers.
This ensures a seamless transition without requiring changes in downstream operations.
5. How critical was SIPA’s local technical support in your decision?
It was a very important factor, especially in the current regional context. Having access to SIPA’s local technicians ensured a smooth installation, faster commissioning, and ongoing operational support.
In a market where downtime can have a significant financial impact, reliable local service is not optional — it is a necessity.
6. How will you use the first-mover advantage with 1810 LW?
Being the first in the region to adopt 1810 Lightweight gives us a clear competitive edge. We plan to leverage this advantage in three ways:
This positions us as an innovative and forward-thinking supplier, helping us gain market share from competitors still using standard 1810 solutions.
Please let us know how we can assist you. We have dedicated contact forms for specific inquiries, ensuring your request reaches the right department for a swift and accurate response.
Drinktec | 2025
