Kraft paper instead of plastic

A new invention from Krones and a strong international partnership with Coca-Cola HBC has brought an innovative, plastic-free packaging solution to the Austrian market.

The 100% recyclable, plastic-free LitePac Top Strap is part of a new secondary packaging system called LitePac Top, which also has a recyclable paper wrap. This allows consumers to carry 1.5-litre multipacks of Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite home safely.

LitePac Top Strap is handled at the Edelstal facility on the Krones VarioPac Pro packaging machine. The PET bottles in the packs are held in formation by carton clips with an integral handle below the bottle neck. A band made of tear-resistant kraft paper provides additional transport security and at the same time offers a functional surface, for example for barcodes or individual advertising messages. Both the band and the cardboard clip are made of 100 per cent renewable and recyclable raw materials and come from the two packaging manufacturers Mondi and DS Smith.

 "With LitePac Top, Krones is pursuing the approach of offering a sustainable alternative to conventional shrink film. This involves replacing the shrink film with a top clip and sleeve from renewable raw materials. By eliminating the shrink film, energy consumption during processing is significantly reduced. Our tried-and-tested Variopac machine series, which has been expanded to include banding and clip application functions, is used for this purpose in production. We are particularly pleased that, together with Coca-Cola HBC, we are able to use this new technology for the first time at the Edelstal site and thus make an important contribution to the company’s sustainability strategy. What was outstanding about this project was the efficient cooperation of all four project partners, from the idea to implementation in the shortest possible time", explains Wolfgang Huber, Head of Order Center and Assembly Packaging Technology.

“This is the first-ever packaging solution of its kind for 1.5 litre multipacks of Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite. It’s the result of our entrepreneurial mindset, an absolute belief in collaborating with trusted partners and our focus on reaching net zero emissions by 2040,” explains Marcel Martin, CCHBC’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer.

After LitePac Top Strap proved itself in the test runs, the market launch in Austria began in September. It is estimated that the introduction of LitePac Top in Austria will save about 200 tonnes of plastic per year and significantly reduce energy costs in production.

Ivo Bjelis, CCHBC’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, adds: “We know that to carve new paths and make real progress towards Net Zero, we must work with companies that share our sustainability goals. “This solution offers a real opportunity to take plastic out from secondary packaging, so we’ll assess how well it performs and if people want to buy it.”

Über die Krones AG

The Krones Group, headquartered in Neutraubling, Germany, plans, develops and manufactures machines and complete lines for the fields of process, filling and packaging technology. And Krones also offers a fit-for-purpose solution for bottle-to-bottle recycling of PET containers. The product portfolio subsumed in the House of Krones is rounded off by numerous products and services from Krones’ subsidiaries, themed around digitalisation, for example, digital container decoration, intralogistics and in-house valve production. Every day, millions of bottles, cans, and special-shaped containers are handled on lines from Krones, particularly in breweries, the soft-drinks sector and at producers of still or sparkling wines, and spirits, but also in the food and luxury-goods industries, plus the chemical, cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. Worldwide, Krones employs around 17,200 people. Consolidated sales in 2022 totalled 4.209 billion euros. Around 90 per cent of its products are sold abroad. The group includes not only Krones AG (listed on the stock exchange), but also more than 100 subsidiaries and further sales and service companies worldwide.

Firmenkontakt und Herausgeber der Meldung:

Krones AG
Böhmerwaldstr. 5
93073 Neutraubling
Telefon: +49 (9401) 700
Telefax: +49 (9401) 703323
http://www.krones.com

Ansprechpartner:
Peter Moertl
Press Relations
Telefon: +49 (9401) 70-5924
E-Mail: peter.moertl@krones.com
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