Tetra Pak Launches Aseptic Carton Packaging Lines

Tetra Pak said Tetra Brik Aseptic 125 slim cartons would be produced on the high-speed line in selected markets from next month, and globally from the fourth quarter 2009.

03/06/08 Tetra Pak has launched a series of aseptic carton packaging lines which could reduce operational costs by 40% owing to new automation technology.

There are three configurations, which will initially be available in selected markets, producing Tetra Brik Aseptic and Tetra Prisma Aseptic cartons at speeds ranging from 5,000 to 24,000 packs an hour.

The Tetra Pak A3 CompactFlex iLine produces 9,000 portion packages an hour in 19 different carton types in sizes, from 80-375ml. By 2009 it will also handle two new packs: the Tetra Prisma Aseptic 125 Square and the Tetra Brik Aseptic 80 Slim.

The Tetra Pak A3 Flex iLine produces 22 different package shapes in portion and family sizes ranging from 200-2,000ml, while the Tetra Pak A3 Speed iLine operates at 15,000 family packs an hour and at 24,000 portion packs an hour.

Tetra Pak said Tetra Brik Aseptic 125 slim cartons would be produced on the high-speed line in selected markets from next month, and globally from the fourth quarter 2009.

The first Tetra Pak A3 Speed iLine has been installed at Refresco Menken Drinks in Bodegraven in the Netherlands and the firm's senior project manager for Benelux, Ton Tesser, said production had increased from 7,500 to 24,000 packs an hour.

Tetra Pak said production costs could be reduced by up to 40% because each line component is able to communicate with the others using Ethernet technology.

All three configurations are controlled by a new Line Controller 30, which manages operation on the line, such as the conveyor speed settings and the starting, stopping and bypassing of various machines, and provides better control and increased flexibility.