Food & Beverage Asia June/July 2020

PROCESSING AND PACKAGING
43
Although Spitz was already familiar with
Krones’ aseptic technology, in terms
of process technology, the new line
differs from the existing wet-aseptic
variant: the Contipure AseptBloc DN
sterilises the pre-form’s entire surface
in dry mode, using gaseous hydrogen
peroxide.
Markus Kröpfel, Technical Director at
Spitz, continued, “This enables us to
do without a rinser, which means we’ve
been able to significantly reduce our
water consumption and also the amount
of wastewater created in the production
operation.”
Blow-moulder, filler and capper are in
fully aseptic design, and directly blocksynchronised
with each other. This,
according to Krones, ensures not only a
compact layout but also a high level of
microbiological process safety.
“We already had some experience in
aseptic production, which in the initial
phase, particularly, was definitely
an advantage for our people,” said
Holzinger, and Kröpfel added, “But every
line is different. In order to understand
the new machines as quickly as possible,
one of our highly experienced production
staff was involved in the project right
from the start. Now he’s passing on his
knowledge to his colleagues as a kind
of internal trainer. In addition, we also
drew up a training schedule together
with the Krones Academy for line
operators, electricians and mechanics.”
In each shift, one employee looks after
the aseptic block, one supervises the
labeller and the packer, and one is
responsible for the palletising zone
and supplying line with new pre-forms.
Meanwhile, the new line is running in
three shifts.
Numerous options in the production
operation
The Contipure AseptBloc DN is Krones’
aseptics range for low-acid products.
Currently, Spitz is mainly using this line
to bottle different variants of iced tea at
a rating of 24,000 containers per hour.
Up to six different bottle formats can
be handled, either with size-39 flatcaps
or sportcaps. In order to also remain
flexible in terms of container dress, a
Contiroll for wrap-around labels and
a Sleevematic for sleeves have been
integrated. The downstream Variopac
Pro handles 6-, 12- or 18-bottle shrinkpacks,
and optimally as trays with and
without film as well.
“We shall in future be handling the
high-volume 1-litre juice or 1.5-litre
iced tea bottles on the existing aseptic
line,” Holzinger said. “The new line will
preferably be used for the 0.5-litre size,
since these containers are often dressed
in sleeves or sportcaps.”
But by investing in the new aseptic
line Spitz demonstrated farsighted
receptiveness to entirely new product
groupings. Because the Contipure
AseptBloc DN will then in future also be
able to handle innovative beverage types
from the low-acid category.
Scherb said, “We most definitely believe
that the trend is towards naturalness,
meaning no preservatives and as many
natural ingredients as possible. There,
aseptics are without a doubt the first
choice, because that means we can
bottle freshly brewed teas or still sports
drinks, for example, to the very latest
state of the art.
“At the same time, by investing in a new
line we wanted to keep our options for
new product categories. Krones won
us over with its Contipure AseptBloc:
now we are in a position to not only
bottle pH-neutral beverages, but also
to dose coconut or aloe vera into them,
for example. This combination of blocksynchronised
dry-aseptic line with an
option for also handling fruit-chunk
products is unique in Europe.”
Currently, Spitz is mainly using this line to bottle different variants of iced tea at a rating of 24,000 containers per hour
Direct contact as a definite plus
Besides this flexibility for innovative
beverage segments, a second major
factor in opting for Krones was the
proximity to company headquarters
in Neutraubling, which is only about
two hours’ drive away from Attnang-
Puchheim.
FOOD & BEVERAGE ASIA JUNE / JULY 2020