Smart solution from GEA reduces time for reconfiguring complex filling equipment and format changeover. (Photo credit: Moon Dog)
Filling
GEA’s multi-functional Visitron Filler ALL-IN-ONE on its way to Australia
GEA will present its highly efficient, multifunctional processing technology for the beverage industry at this year's leading trade fair, BrauBeviale, in hall 7under the motto: "Refreshingly Different." On display will be the GEA Visitron Filler ALL-IN-ONE, which can fill bottles, cans and PET containers on a single filler. BrauBeviale in Nuremberg is a short stopover for the filler before it continues on its way to Australia – where GEA customer, Moon Dog Craft Brewery, is eager to integrate the ultra-flexible filler into its new plant.
Moon Dog Craft Brewery is independent, Australian-owned and fast approaching its 10th birthday. Originally set up in the Melbourne suburb of Abbotsford, Moon Dog has now outgrown that facility and is on the move to Preston where the team has just opened a 12,000 m2 facility. The site will house a unique 725-person venue with a large new brewing facility about to be commissioned, which will allow them to produce over 10 million liters per year. Moon Dog is known for pushing the limits with beer styles and flavours and the new facility with a designated souring kettle will allow them to continue to diversify and grow marketshare within Australia and globally. Seeing the need to bring more efficiency into its processes, Moon Dog ordered a GEA Visitron Filler ALL-IN-ONE in August 2019, as well as a water deaeration system VARIDOX, a DICAR-B carbonation system, an ECO-FLASH® pasteurizer and a Plug & Win 100 centrifuge from the technology group.
Sustainable bottling and canning
Breweries are particularly interested in GEA VIPOLL filling equipment because this sector typically has the highest demand for glass bottles and cans. Customers benefit from GEA’s commitment to support and improve production processes end-to-end, from brewing to bottling and storage. Likewise, GEA offers many solutions to help breweries lower their CO2 emissions, which is critical for helping this high-consumption sector meet the ambitious climate protection goals it has set for itself. Highly efficient manufacturing as well as responsible packaging methods are therefore key, which means glass containers and cans will play an even greater role in global environmental strategies; refillable bottles will become a cornerstone of reuse initiatives and cans a valuable recyclable material.
One for all: ALL-IN-ONE
GEA VIPOLL developed the ALL-IN-ONE monoblock filler as a direct response to sustainability requirements and is a prime example of just how lean and flexible filling solutions can be: the compact ALL-IN-ONE rinses, fills and caps products all within a small production footprint. Its sophisticated process design saves time during filling and format changeovers; within a matter of minutes, the machine can switch to handle different products and container formats. This is made possible by the ALL-IN-ONE’s multifunctional elements: the rinser is equipped with universal grippers; the filler uses an electro-pneumatic filling valve and a single capping turret is able to accommodate different closure types.
“We chose GEA because the company has a great reputation for manufacturing high quality machines. The ALL-IN-ONE filler allows us to operate a single filling line for both cans and bottles with quick change over between formats. This gives us benefits in terms of floor space utilization, and simplicity in maintenance and operation,” says Josh Uljans, Co-Founder and CEO of Moon Dog Craft Brewery.
“The ALL-IN-ONE’s multifunctional system is unique in the world, because it allows for an unprecedented level of flexibility; it can be used to fill glass, cans and PET containers; handle different formats and seal them with diverse cap types; can fill carbonated or still drinks, using a hot or cold fill method,” points out Jakob Salamun, Sales Manager at GEA VIPOLL.
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