This post was originally published in October of 2016.

Today again is “Thirsty for simulation Thursday!”

You may recall two of our recent blog posts discussing realistic simulation and its monumental impact on improving cardboard packaging for beer and designing flexible pouches for wine. It only feels natural to follow up our beer and wine posts with a refreshing bottled water discussion.

Every day millions of people turn to water to hydrate; whether it is after a gym workout, on a hot day, or even after a fun night out. Bottled water has also been invaluable in providing clean drinking water to contaminated regions, areas with poor infrastructure, or to people in need of emergency disaster relief.

A recent Forbes Magazine article predicts bottled water will be the most consumed beverage worldwide this year, even surpassing our favorite carbonated soft drinks. Beverage companies and bottle manufacturers understand that in order to maximize their presence in this growing market they must provide a superior product.

How can beverage companies and manufacturers leverage multiphysics simulation to design the perfect plastic bottle?

When it comes to beverage packaging, consumers and retailers alike are seeking more product innovation, high quality at a low price, and most important – they want their products to be sustainable. According to the International Bottled Water Association, plastic beverage bottles are among the most recycled packaged products in the U.S., and the industry is constantly working to reduce its environmental footprint. This puts pressure onto packaging manufacturers as they need to consider energy costs, material costs, and the type of environmental impact their packages will have.

Simulation is now making it possible for manufacturers to rethink the way in which they design, build, and test products. Amazingly, engineers can virtually evaluate multiple designs up-front in the design process, consider more alternatives, and capture share and reuse design data easily. Simulation technology, like that included within Dassault Systèmes’ Perfect Package Industry Solution, offers key benefits including reduced package weight, accelerated design times, and optimized product designs.

Now, consider again bottled water― smart organizations are leveraging simulation technology to create bottles that are lighter and stronger, all while saving time and money!