Business as usual? Krones’ virtual exhibition brings circular beverage solutions to digital desktops

30 Apr 2020 --- COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of industry events but German packaging and bottling machine manufacturer Krones has kept its doors wide open – virtually. From 28-30 April, Krones has welcomed visitors to its virtual booth, which provides authentic demonstrations of the manufacturer’s latest solutions in plastic shrink replacement, digitalization and multi-sensory packaging design. PackagingInsights reports from the event and shares feedback of the Krones team’s experiences of hosting a virtual event.

“The interest for the virtual booth is quite high,” Peter Mörtl, Press Relations at Krones, describes through the virtual booth’s Live Chat feature. “Especially as it's the first time that we have hosted a virtual fair. Some of our visitors are just having a look, others are really exploring our exhibits and communicating with our specialists about specific machines or solutions.”

The benefits of a virtual trade show are clear to Mörtl. Krones has been able to showcase its latest solutions to new and existing customers while adhering to social distancing. However, he does also see a disadvantage.

“In the last decades, our business relationships have become more than just a cooperation. They are dependable and trustable partnerships and in most cases also a friendship. And, as in everybody’s life, meeting friends face to face is tremendous.”Krones reports “quite high interest” at its very first virtual booth, running from 28-30 April.

It is Mörtl’s view that physical trade fairs will remain extremely important in the future and not be replaced by virtual alternatives. “However, we are observing the trend that it is becoming increasingly important to connect the content of real trade fairs to the digital world. This means that in future, the virtual trade fair will be more of an extension of the ‘real’ trade fair experience.”

Packing cans without plastic or glue
With multipack plastic shrink replacement top of the agenda for many beverage suppliers, Krones showcased its LitePac secondary packaging concept on its virtual booth. The LitePac Top is a recyclable, flat paperboard carrier with comfortable finger holes that holds four, six or eight cans without the need for plastic or glue. The innovation weighs only 3 g and can carry cans up to 500 ml. LitePac Top is also available for PET bottles.

“We believe that the secondary packaging of the future should be free from any plastics or glue. At the same time, the machine proves that only a small amount of packaging material can result in a stable and sustainable product,” Tobias Gut, LitePac representative at Krones, explained in a pre-recorded video.

As a “multi-talented allrounder,” Krones Varioline packaging machine “copes effortlessly” with the LitePac Top. Varioline’s modularized construction enables it to be individually customized to suit the task involved and several packaging variants to be run on the same system.

Like the machine itself, its individual modules are also multifunctional. In the case of LitePac Top, for example, the first module can accept, orientate and group the cans. For creating the tertiary packaging, for example, to insert the packs in trays, the Varioline can be combined with a Variopac Pro – in a space-economical block configuration without any lengthy conveyor sections.In a pre-recorded video, Tobias Gut of Krones demonstrated the plastic-replacement benefits of the LitePac Top recyclable paperboard beverage carrier.

Krones makes clear at the “Circular Economy” section of its virtual booth that plastics and environmental sustainability are not a contradiction for primary packaging. “Plastics used in packaging are extremely versatile and can easily adjust to the widest range of demands: whether they be functional, aesthetic or even ecological.”

“We at Krones have always been enthusiastic about the endless possibilities provided by PET. That is why we are also doing everything possible to utilize the full potential of these materials – and repeatedly push the limits of what they can do … with innovative technologies that cover the entire lifecycle of beverage packaging.”

Digitalization differentiators
Krones established a 24/7 Support Desk for its customers several years ago. Krones GRSP (Global Remote Service Platform) allows its experts to connect to customer’s machines, HMIs and servers via VPN to troubleshoot issues remotely. COVID-19 self-distancing regulations have drastically increased the value of remote assistance.

“As an add on, we offer our customer the use of ARGOS – augmented reality support glasses that allow our technicians to see what our customers see in the production line,” Timo Frankl, Head of Sales Digitalization at Krones, explains to PackagingInsights on the virtual booth.

Krones has also developed its so-called Line Management System (LMS). This system supports customers in significantly reducing waste as it automatically parameterizes machines based on the BOM of an order so that the operator cannot make any wrong settings (for example, when setting up printers or inspection units).Krones' augmented reality support glasses have enabled technicians to troubleshoot machinery issues remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Additionally, the system validates material before it is equipped to machines (for example, labels and caps). This all prevents mislabeling or any rejects due to wrong machine settings, generating positive environmental effects due to quality improvements,” Frankl explains.

Another benefit of the LMS is that changeover times are reduced and, since multiple orders can be executed in parallel on one line, faster production with resulting energy savings can be achieved.

“We have already introduced condition monitoring and predictive maintenance concepts. This has the positive effect that parts are only changed when really needed, not based on assumptions or intervals. This helps to save material and time,” Frankl adds.

Packaging as a multi-sensory experience
The final stop on Krones’ virtual booth, the manufacturer demonstrated its latest digital direct printing technologies, precision PET preforms and colors for digital decoration. Krones’ direct printing specialist subsidiary Dekron showcased its cooperation with renowned glass packaging innovators: O-I : Expressions.

“Our customers are launching new products and packaging variants at progressively shorter intervals,” notes Melianthe Leeman, Global Innovation Platform Leader at O-I. “The campaigns are getting shorter and shorter – and so is the life-cycle of our products. Then there’s the trend towards individualization, which is perceptibly growing, and to which we have to respond appropriately.”O-I : Expressions uses color to accentuate bottle structures but, uniquely, from ink.

“One of the best-known advantages of digital decoration technology is that it also enables the bottle’s raised structures to be selectively printed on. But the decoration experts at O-I went one step further: they wanted to not only use color to accentuate bottle structures but to actually create them from ink.”

“By applying several layers of ink, they caused finely detailed reliefs to take shape on the smooth surface of the glass, which could be felt by running your fingers over them. Executed transparently, this technique even enables structures to be created that look deceptively similar to embossings – with the only difference being that they consist of ink rather than glass,” Leeman explains.

Meanwhile, Krones Group member MHT Mold & Hotrunner Technology AG, exhibited its precision PET preforms molds and post-mold cooling solutions for all major PET systems. MHT is known for its high output, short cycle times and low energy consumption.

Finally, KIC Krones presents Krones multicroma UV-curable inks, which have been specifically modified to suit the demands of digital decoration technology. KIC Krones supplies adhesives, lubricants, cleaning agents and disinfectants for each production step in the beverage system.

By Joshua Poole

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