Sidel has unveiled Nitro Square, a new square-shaped bottle design for nitrogen-dosed still water, targeting producers seeking differentiation in a market traditionally dominated by cylindrical bottle formats.
According to Sidel, most bottles in this segment are round due to the internal pressure created by the nitrogen dosing process. “The nitrogen-dosed water bottle market is largely dominated by cylindrical forms, as this is the natural shape created by the internal pressure of the bottle’s contents,” said Xavier Monnier, Packaging Innovation Polymer Expert at Sidel.
Nitro Square is designed to maintain its square geometry throughout the production and distribution stages. Its structure combines rigid and flexible elements that absorb internal pressure, allowing the bottle to keep its shape while meeting functional requirements.
The bottle features Sidel’s proprietary StarLITE®-R Nitro base. The wave-shaped base is intended to improve drop resistance and stability, contributing to durability during handling and transportation.
Available in single-serve and multi-serve formats, the design can be adapted to various brand positioning requirements. The company says the bottle is compatible with recycled PET (rPET), offering an option for manufacturers working with post-consumer materials.
Nitro Square can be produced on existing Sidel equipment, including Universal, Series 2, and EvoBLOW blow-moulding machines. According to the company, these systems can support production speeds of up to 2,600 bottles per hour per mould, allowing for scalability without major equipment changes.
The new bottle format is aimed at helping brands stand out visually on retail shelves while maintaining performance through the logistics chain. By offering a non-cylindrical alternative, Sidel is positioning Nitro Square as a distinctive packaging solution in the bottled water sector where nitrogen dosing is used to enhance shelf life and package rigidity.