Up to 74 percent cost reduction
The manufacture of LitePack six-packs on the EvoLite Bloc packer offers huge savings potential as regards packing material and energy compared with conventional shrink packs.
With its LitePac, Krones AG in Neutraubling has now found the most space-saving packing and palletising solution for non-returnable six-packs with the lowest energy consumption. The LitePac is produced on the new EvoLite Bloc. The EvoLite pack strapper is directly block-synchronised with the Robobox grouping station and a palletiser from the Modulpal series. Three EvoLite machines are already successfully up and running.
The EvoLite pack strapper produces packs with integrated handle. Load tests have confirmed that the LitePac's holding strap provides a very high level of pack stability. The variability of the system has a positive impact - straps can be applied to contoured bottles, bottles with recessed grip, both with and without carrying handles, and can even be applied to the label.
Compared to shrink packs, the LitePac comprising six plastic bottles is extremely gentle on resources, thus offering an extremely high saving potential for packaging material and energy with a cost reduction per pack of up to 74 percent. EvoLite omits the shrinking tunnel and handle applicator and in doing so saves more than 90 percent of its energy consumption. This also considerably reduces its CO2footprint.
With the EvoLite, machine technology has now been developed which makes the use of a shrinking tunnel unnecessary. The subsequent pack conveyor normally used as a buffer is also no longer needed. The total cost of ownership (TCO) is therefore cheaper. The end user also benefits from these advantages. With around 15 million LitePacs already sold, their market acceptance in Italy has already been proven. In particular the user-friendly, easy-open concept of the LitePack packaging is appreciated by the customers as the packaging can be opened without the need for any implements. After opening, no pieces of strapping band remain on the bottle, making the LitePac packaging acceptable for food contact. The bands can be easily recycled and produce a much lower waste volume compared with shrink films. This benefits the environment. The LitePac from Krones creates a win-win situation for both the bottler and the end user.
Photo Krones AG:
The manufacture of LitePack six-packs on the EvoLite Bloc packer offers huge savings potential as regards packing material and energy compared with conventional shrink packs.
