GERMANY – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is redefining energy efficiency at its Knetzgau plant in Germany with the installation of KHS’ latest InnoPET Blomax V stretch blow molder.
The advanced system, featuring the innovative Double Gate (DoGa) heating concept, has significantly enhanced energy savings, marking a major step toward sustainability.
The Knetzgau plant, one of Germany’s largest Coca-Cola facilities, spans 200,000 square meters and employs around 500 people.
To align with its sustainability goals, the company has replaced two aging stretch blow molders, installed in 1998, with the high-performance InnoPET Blomax V.
The InnoPET Blomax V leverages near-infrared (NIR) heating and the DoGa concept to reduce energy consumption.
Unlike traditional systems, which rely on primary reflectors, the new setup optimally heats PET preforms by running them through dual lanes on both sides of the lamps.
This innovation not only improves energy efficiency but also allows for a more compact machine design.
Project manager Ralph Sauter highlighted the rigorous evaluation process before choosing KHS. “Energy savings were a crucial factor for us,” he said.
“The Double Gate technology delivers impressive results, with an expected annual energy reduction of up to 560,000 kWh.”
In a competitive market, KHS’ solution stood out for offering greater energy savings compared to alternatives.
The upgrade required meticulous planning, especially in adapting the existing bottle air conveyor to work with a single machine instead of two.
This challenge was successfully met, ensuring a seamless integration of the new system into the production line.
Marc Harald Eysel, KHS’ PET Technology Sales Manager, emphasized the broader industry trend toward energy-efficient production.
“Even compared to modern blow molders installed up to a decade ago, our system delivers up to 30% energy savings,” he noted.
With sustainability at the forefront of Coca-Cola’s operations, the investment in InnoPET Blomax V represents a strategic move toward reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
As demand for efficient technologies rises, KHS’ innovations are setting new benchmarks in the beverage packaging industry.
Meanwhile, KHS recently equipped Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited with a state-of-the-art non-returnable PET line.
This advanced system has tripled production capacity, drastically reduced costs, and enhanced resource efficiency, aligning with the company’s sustainability goals.
The new PET line, located in Harare’s Willowvale industrial area, features cutting-edge technology, including the compact InnoPET BloFill stretch blow molder/filler block capable of producing up to 36,000 containers per hour, the efficient Innoket Neo labeler, the Innopack PSP Advanced shrink packer, and the versatile Innopal PB N palletizer. Continuous monitoring ensures only top-quality products leave the plant.
According to Ropafadzo Gwanetsa, Corporate Affairs Executive at SZL, the decision to partner with KHS was driven by its reputation for providing reliable, efficient systems.
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