Carlsberg Bulgaria introduces in-house canning with advanced KHS technology

BULGARIA – Carlsberg Bulgaria has launched its own canning line for the first time, leveraging advanced technology from KHS.

This milestone marks a significant step for the brewer, which previously imported all its filled beer cans.

The canning line, installed at the company’s Blagoevgrad facility in January 2023, has a capacity of up to 40,000 cans per hour for 500- and 550-mL sizes and 60,000 cans per hour for 330-mL cans.

This expansion supports the rising demand for canned beverages, which have gained popularity due to their convenience and recyclability.

Carlsberg Bulgaria’s brewing roots date back to 1882 when Franz Milde established one of the country’s oldest breweries in Shumen.

Over the decades, the company evolved, becoming part of the Carlsberg Group in 2002 after the privatization of Shumensko and Pirinsko breweries.

Today, Carlsberg Bulgaria is one of the country’s leading beverage producers, brewing over two million hectolitres annually.

Its portfolio includes the locally popular Pirinsko and Shumensko beers, as well as international brands such as Tuborg, 1664 Blanc, Budweiser, and Erdinger.

Efficiency and sustainability at the core

The new canning line brings several advantages, including optimized space utilization and streamlined operations.

“We need far less room for can filling than we do for PET and glass bottles, which is a major benefit given our limited space,” said Metodi Stoyanov, Integrated Supply Chain Director at Carlsberg Bulgaria.

“Additionally, KHS machines are less complex, making them easier to operate and maintain, allowing for smooth production with an impressive operational efficiency (OEE) of 76%.”

Unlike traditional canning lines that rely on tunnel pasteurization, Carlsberg Bulgaria opted for the KHS Innopro KZE flash pasteurizer.

This decision, according to Stoyanov, enhances product taste, reduces space requirements, and lowers energy consumption due to faster heat transfer.

“Thanks to our strict hygiene standards during filling, we don’t require tunnel pasteurization. This approach helps us maintain the authentic flavor of our beers while conserving energy,” he noted.

To prevent condensation issues that could compromise packaging integrity, the cans undergo an additional heating process via the KHS Innopas WICG compact heater.

“Raising the temperature of filled cans from 8-10°C to 20-28°C prevents moisture buildup, which can weaken cardboard packaging and lead to potential hygiene risks during storage and transportation,” explained Frank Schneidermann, Global Key Account Manager at KHS.

To maintain long-term efficiency, Carlsberg Bulgaria has also secured a three-year service contract, which includes predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics through KHS’s ReDiS system.

This ensures swift troubleshooting without requiring an onsite engineer, minimizing downtime and keeping operations running smoothly.

With this investment, Carlsberg Bulgaria strengthens its market position, embracing cutting-edge technology to enhance production efficiency and sustainability while meeting the growing consumer demand for canned beverages.

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