Food & Beverage Asia February/March 2020

The new “Pearl” packaging concept,
developed by Syntegon, formerly Bosch
Packaging Technology, and BillerudKorsnäs
Because paper is made from renewable raw materials as well
as being recyclable and biodegradable, this material is on the
wish list of manufacturers and consumers alike
Dr König: Focusing on the market
transformations that lie ahead, Bosch
analysed the potential of Bosch Packaging
Technology within the Bosch group. Bosch
came to the conclusion that its packaging
technology division needed a different
footing as there were not enough relevant
synergy effects in terms of business or
technology that could offer valuable
prospects for the future. As part of CVC
Capital Partners, we are able to react more
flexibly to the specific requirements of the
packaging machinery market.
What are your plans in leading the
company to its next milestone?
Dr König: Innovative sustainable solutions
will be very crucial for our customers.
Having spoken about our activities on
sustainable packaging, I would like
to highlight another topic – smart
machines. They are more intelligent, e.g.
they include monitoring elements, which
are critical for quality.
In addition, they feature user-friendly
human-machine interfaces (HMIs), on
which operators receive advice what
they have to do next. Among our latest
solutions are pharma liquid visual
inspection machines, which use deep
learning based on artificial intelligence
(AI) technologies to ensure correct
inspection and reduce set-up time for
new product types.
Another example is our e-portal, where
customers are able to find all information
and services related to their machines,
like spare part management. All in call,
we have a strong focus on R&D, and
spend a significant share of our budget on
developing smart and sustainable solutions.
“Asia – the hub for future innovation”
Can you share with us an overview
of Syntegon’s business in the Asia-
Pacific region, and how will you rate the
company’s performance in this region?
Dr König: Our food business unit has
a large site in Goa, India and provides
locally built machines for vertical baggers,
horizontal flow wrapping systems for
biscuits and other products. In addition,
the business for secondary packaging
machines has just started. The site, which
was established in 1995, grows each year
with a double-digit growth rate.
Our pharma business unit has an own site
in China and the Joint Venture Klenzaids in
India – both very successful with a history
of more than 15 years.
No other foreign machine manufacturer
in our industry has a similar footprint
in Asia. Our customers benefit from our
experts, who speak their local language
and locally build high quality machines
based on our global platforms. We support
customer projects with local service staff,
and provide best service and support for
imported high-end machines.
More crucially, what role does Asia-
Pacific region play in Syntegons overall
global strategy, and how will the company
continue to gain a larger market share in
this region?
Dr König: We contribute to nutrition and
health. Our strategy to be where many
people live accounts for the Asia-Pacific
region. Today, this region accounts for
approximately one-third of our total sales,
and this share is supposed to grow further
over time. We have sales, consulting and
service colleagues based in many Asian
countries, and our sites in China and India
already export to South East Asia and
Africa. In addition, we value Asia as the hub
for future innovation – whether in terms
of e-commerce, intelligent packaging,
track and trace solutions, low cost
approaches and sustainability. The time
where engineering companies transferred
proven technologies to Asian regions is
long over. The Asia-Pacific market expects
best technologies at reasonable prices and
drives innovation. FBA
All images are credited to Syntegon Technology.
FOOD & BEVERAGE ASIA FEBRUARY / MARCH 2020