At Adelholzener Alpenquellen, seven out of eight production lines with Krones technology ensure the highest standards of hygiene. The returnable glass container line installed in 2020 will be supplemented in 2025 by a further line for filling non-returnable containers.

This particular container and therefore line type was chosen for various reasons: Firstly, the demand for products for the on-the-go market has recently increased enormously; for 2023, Adelholzener recorded a sales increase of a good twelve per cent for non-returnable PET containers. On the other hand, the realization of the one-way PET system meant that the existing capacities at the plant could be ideally utilized. "We already took the limited capacities at the plant into account when we installed the first one-way system in 2006," says Erwin Hächl, head of Central Project Management at Adelholzener Alpenquellen. "Thanks to our foresighted planning, we can now optimally utilise the available space in the plant and install another line from Krones."

Aseptics and performance in harmony

The new Krones line with an output of 36,000 bottles per hour is intended to increase the bottling capacities for spritzers and water. Adelholzener has deliberately opted for a Contipure Bloc P, an ultra-hygienic block specially designed for sensitive products. This first sterilises the preforms before they are blown into bottles and then aseptically filled and finally sealed. The performance version, which is represented by the "P", uses hot caustic solution for machine surface disinfection and safely sterilises the product paths with steam. This process guarantees microbiologically safe filling with the fastest cleaning and sterilization times.

A Contiroll applies wrap-around labels to the sealed containers, which are then packed into shrink packs or trays by two Variopac Pro machines. Palletizing is performed by a Modulpal Pro.

In addition to the line, Krones is also supplying the appropriate process technology equipment with a Unipure product filtration system and a VarioAsept J flash pasteurizer. The first products are scheduled to roll off the line in summer 2025, with acceptance planned for autumn.