Interpack 2023: KHS to present modular machinery and palletizing technology

17 Mar 2023 --- KHS will present its portfolio of resource-conserving systems to promote circular economy at this year’s Interpack trade show, May 4-10 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

KHS’ Innopack Kisters Nature MultiPack machine will be shown as an example to demonstrate further developments such as a new universal adhesive. With its range of holistic services, KHS can facilitate customer decision-making processes due to the use of independent calculator tools that assess the carbon footprint of different packaging styles in direct comparison. 

Further, technologies such as robots for efficient high-speed palletizing operations and modular automation systems for format changeovers, will also be present at the KHS booth at Interpack this year. 

“This trade show has always been a key venue for the international packaging industry. It’s a driver of the transformation toward more environmental protection and efficient production processes. This is precisely where we come in with our holistic systems and solutions, advising our customers on suitable machinery tailored to their specific requirements,” says Dr. Johannes T. Grobe, CSO of the KHS Group.

PackagingInsights will report live from Interpack 2023 at booth B83 in Hall 8A.

Nature MultiPack
The tried-and-tested Nature MultiPack (NMP) machine will take center stage at KHS’ show booth as an example of the company’s “pioneering” packaging system range.

KHS says being one of the most environmentally sustainable types of secondary packaging on the market, the NMP machine joins beverage cans or PET bottles together to form stable packs with only requiring a few dots of adhesive – without any additional outer packaging required.

Saving up to 90% in materials, the company says the technology is compelling and has been consistently further developed, with a new universal adhesive applicable to practically all outer coatings on aluminum and tin cans. 

The Innopal PLR high-performance palletizer processes up to 625 layers per hour which amounts to a nominal capacity of 135,000 cans an hour.The one-fits-all system, which is in successful practical operation, makes it easier for numerous beverage producers to convert to NMP – to date, choosing the right adhesive was often a laborious process, asserts KHS.

Climate-friendly packaging
To determine which style of packaging impacts the climate and whether a conversion for a stretch blow molder, for instance, has a positive effect on the carbon footprint, KHS has developed a number of carbon calculator tools. 

This free service was developed together with the Hamburg Institute for Environmental IT, an independent international software developer for material and energy flow analyses. 

“Our systems and solutions aim to create continuous added value while reducing the ecological footprint,” says Grobe. “The pressure on the packaging industry for more [environmental] sustainability is growing – from both consumers and legislators. We thus provide our customers with guidance and help them decide to buy by directly comparing different packaging systems.”

Modular automation systems for format changeovers 
The systems supplier’s plant engineering protects the environment and makes digital services safer and more efficient production processes. In this context, KHS will be presenting its modular automation systems for format changeovers during the packaging of beverage cans and PET bottles. 

The increasing variety of these types of container often requires bottlers to make frequent adjustments at the packaging and palletizing end of their production lines. With the new option for all KHS packers in the advanced series and PB palletizer models, up to 80% of all manual tasks required in conjunction with a line changeover are now superfluous. This allows operators to save up to 30 minutes for each packaging and palletizing format changeover. 

The new Innopal PLR high-performance palletizer helps to further boost efficiency at the packaging and palletizing end of a line. This combines the benefits of low-feed machines with the capacities provided by palletizers with a high infeed. 

With the help of robots, the machine processes up to 625 layers per hour which amounts to a nominal capacity of 135,000 cans an hour, depending on the can diameter, explains the company. 

Furthermore, the Innopal PLR high-performance palletizer can also palletize PET containers and glass bottles. Using robots also simplifies operation, thus considerably increasing both the efficiency and availability of production.

“With our diverse portfolio of primary and secondary packaging, we can provide the best respective system to satisfy a range of demands and requirements. This means that we’re always at our customers’ side as a partner they can depend on, helping them to steadily reduce their consumption of energy and resources and promote the circular economy,” Grobe concludes.

Edited by Natalie Schwertheim