Krones at drinktec 2025 – Smart solutions for the future of machinery and plant manufacture

• From the machine right down to the data network: Krones presents a unique product portfolio, including perfectly matched solutions for digital transformation
• CEO Klenk: “Intelligent and powerful – Ingeniq, the new generation of production lines, provides an entirely different line experience.”
• Technological leadership underpinned by further innovations in PET, cans and glass
• New process technology developments augur well for improved performance
• Sustainability remains a vital driver in Krones’ corporate strategy
• Reorganisation of the Compact Class line of business

“Solutions beyond tomorrow” – That is the motto of the Krones stand at this year’s drinktec in Munich. Showcasing the different aspects of data-defined and resource-efficient plant construction including related services, Krones is presenting its unique portfolio ranging from top-quality process technology for beverage production, energy- and media-efficient filling and packaging equipment, right through to fully automated intralogistics concepts providing seamless material flows, plus (digital) services and the consumables required for operating the lines. “From the machine right down to the data network – our technology portfolio extends from expertly developed lines right through to software solutions drawn up specifically for our industry. That gives us a unique selling point,” is the firm conviction of CEO Christoph Klenk. With a view to the technologies presented at drinktec, he emphasises: “We’re developing innovations for the food and beverage industries and for tomorrow’s production operations. A quarter of all containers worldwide already pass through a Krones machine today. In future, our customers will be able to reap even greater benefit from our line knowledge and our expertise in the global beverage industry, and make sure their production operations are even more reliable and intelligent and use resources more efficiently. This reflects Krones’ recently fine-tuned brand positioning: a dynamic system that is based on performance, a solution-driven approach, reliability and a sense of responsibility, making the group not only a technological leader but also a value ambassador for tomorrow’s industry.”

New line concept of the future

At this year’s drinktec, Krones is presenting for the first time a data-based, fully automated line system for filling non-carbonated water into PET containers. It’s the line of the future, and we call it Ingeniq. It was designed as the answer to the most frequent questions (or rather requests) we’ve got from customers recently. And it translates what Krones presented as a vision at drinktec 2022 into shopfloor reality: a line that couples permanently low total cost of ownership with consistently high efficiency.

The system consists of modular and standardised components that leverage robotics and artificial intelligence in a well-thought-out design that substantially reduces the overall complexity of the line layout. “We at Krones have always known that only if our customers are successful will we be, too. That’s why we’ve now taken it one step further with this line concept, teaming up with the customer to actively assume joint responsibility for the line over its entire lifetime – that’s truly unprecedented,” explains Markus Tischer, member of the Executive Board of Krones AG responsible for International Operations and Services.

Innovative solutions for PET

Yet another new topic in the field of PET that Krones is presenting at this year’s drinktec is focused on ongoing production of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs): By filling the drinks into PET bottles at a higher temperature, the technology company succeeds in making valuable gains and achieving substantial savings! For example, a Variopac is being showcased with a special new feature: the result of a cooperative alliance that has developed over the years with one of our subsidiaries. This simplifies our customers’ production processes and raises their effectiveness into the bargain. Also on show are various details of new, resource-economical technologies in the field of container decoration.

Hand in hand with PET

Aseptic filling is closely linked to PET technology, and yet it has its very own solutions. Being premiered in this context at drinktec is the NitroAdd Asept nitrogen injector. It prepares PET bottles for all kinds of stress. The result: even thin-walled lightweight bottles retain their shape, no matter what happens!
In addition, Krones is launching a space-saving variant of its field-proven aseptics technology: the compact Contipure AseptBloc. Like its larger counterparts, this smaller version also combines three key modules in a single, integrated system: preform sterilisation, an aseptic stretch blow-moulder, and an aseptic filler with capper. The entire system only requires around 100 square metres of floor space, which makes it the perfect choice for tight quarters in the production environment, for beverage manufacturers producing smaller batches, and for new market entrants who want to get into aseptic filling with innovative products. The system is suitable for filling all kinds of still beverages.

Trailblazing innovations for cans

Krones is a complete-system vendor for the beverage industry and as such also supplies fit-for-purpose solutions for cans, covering a broad performance spectrum ranging from 10,000 to more than 130,000 cans per hour. Product safety and integrity are two of the key aspects here. Pasteurisation is often the number one process for preserving and stabilising the freshly filled products. The LinaFlex tunnel pasteuriser offers a process with precise PU control and ensures an efficient use of resources. At drinktec, Krones is now presenting a more compact solution – the LinaFlex eSync with single-lane conveyors. A newly developed buffer section integrated into the pasteuriser was instrumental in achieving the smaller footprint, making for space savings of up to 40 per cent in the wet end. The new Modulseam can seamer from Krones is setting new standards in the high-speed range, covering outputs of up to 135,000 cans per hour. It features a harmonised servo-drive concept, which enables all movement axes to be controlled with meticulous precision. That not only increases process reliability, it also substantially reduces the amount of maintenance required.
And last but not least, the technology company is presenting innovative upgrades for its can-inspection portfolio: the Cantronic series, which is compact, digital and linked to AI.

Synergised fund of know-how for glass

Glass bottles are the number one container type for alcoholic beverages. But for water, soft drinks and juices, too, they represent yet a further field of expertise of the Krones brand.

Krones is also showcasing the next generation of bottle washers in the shape of the Lavasonic HI, which features purposefully deployed ultrasound technology, intelligent process control and a resource-economical design. And another exhibit, the Primafill CLASS, is a comprehensive solution especially for filling spirits and other high-value alcoholic beverages into PET and glass bottles, which effectively synergises our core competences: flexibility, product safety and integrity, and high precision. What deserves special mention here is that foaming during filling is substantially reduced, minimising product losses. In the Dynafill Bloc FL, Krones has combined the Dynafill filler with a labeller (such as an Ergomodul with cold-glue labelling stations) in a compact block. The key to its compact design is that instead of multiple transfer worms, just a single, newly developed, pitch-adjusting starwheel is integrated between the filler and the labeller. A pitch-adjusting starwheel can be used for other machine combinations as well, such as a filler and a rinser.

Process technology news

Providing customised solutions for any task. That is the primary motivation of the Krones team in the process technology business area. Here, too, the technology company is focusing on innovations and on rounding off its portfolio. Two new additions are presented at drinktec. With the new UniPure S, Krones is expanding its field-proven UniPure product family to include high-performance decanters. While the classical UniPure F model works with filter candles, the UniPure S decanter uses centrifugal force to reliably separate solids from liquids. It serves the entire centrifuge size range with bowl diameters from 220 to 800 millimetres. The UniPure S has been specifically designed for use in the food and recycling industries. It removes particles, suspended matter and microorganisms from juices, oils, dairy products and plant-based raw materials, and can even be used for plastics recycling. Whether it’s milk, juices or pharmaceutical products – a homogenizer is needed wherever liquids with a particularly fine texture have to be processed in order to create shelf-stable products. HST is expanding its field-proven HLI series to include a new model, the HLI 132, which performs this vital job with impressive efficiency and sustainability. With a flow rate of up to 26,500 litres per hour (depending on the operating pressure), the HLI 132 is the ideal choice for industrial applications where large volumes have to be processed efficiently.

A single-source closed plastics loop

In Hall C6, Krones is presenting the modules and tools needed for a closed plastics loop. Since Krones took over Netstal Maschinen AG in 2024, the group has been able to offer its customers injection-moulding machines for a variety of applications, including preform production. With the Prefero injection-moulding machine, Krones has completed its comprehensive portfolio of machines for producing, filling and packaging PET containers. The requisite tools and hot-runner systems are supplied by the group’s subsidiary MHT. This is complemented by Krones’ expertise in the field of preform and container design, and by Krones Recycling’s MetaPure plastics recycling systems. This all-inclusive competence also enables Krones to make full use of the opportunities offered by digital transformation and is an important foundation for establishing the closed plastics loop on a lasting basis. Here, too, the technology company is bringing along further innovations to this year’s drinktec. The latest generation of injection-moulding machines from Netstal is a genuine highlight for everybody interested in sustainable, high-performance preform production. The PET-Line 4000 produces ultra-light preforms weighing a mere 6.9 grams with a 25/22 thread and achieves an impressive output of around 108,000 preforms per hour – thanks to a 144-cavity tool from MHT with integrated self-cleaning function. 

Sustainability remains an important cornerstone of our corporate strategy

Regardless of any external factors and developments, sustainability and our associated targets are a vital cornerstone of Krones’ business strategy, and the company is dedicating an entire customer day to the topic at drinktec. Krones firmly believes that a consistent approach to sustainability will help it tap into new opportunities for growth. The technology group works continuously to improve the efficiency, longevity, and eco-friendliness of its products and services. And it is increasing the sustainability of its own operations and value creation processes in stages. That is why sustainability and profitability are not a contradiction in terms for Krones, but two sides of the same coin. Not so long ago, Krones’ sustainability performance was awarded an EcoVadis gold medal – for the third time in a row.

In addition to the above portfolio topics, a strategic milestone will also be announced at drinktec – Krones intends to restructure its Compact Class line of business.

Compact Class reorganisation

In light of the current transformation in the beverage and liquid-food industry as well as rising demands for sustainable, competitive and efficient products, Krones is restructuring its profitable and growing Compact Class line of business. Here, Krones brings together smaller-scale filling and packaging solutions for beverages and liquid foods. The Compact Class is made up of four different subsidiaries: KOSME Italy, KOSME Austria, the sales and service company KOSME FBA, as well as the labelling-machinery specialist Gernep. In future, these units are to be combined into one. KOSME and Gernep joined forces in a development project for a new labeller generation called Flectra, which marked the first step towards the new business structure.
And of course, drinktec is not just about showcasing hardware and software. It’s also – crucially – about entering into dialogue, exchanging news and views, primarily with our customers. That is precisely the reason why we at Krones are hosting our very own talk forum this year for the first time.

New platform for dialogue: first Krones Forum live at drinktec

At the fair, Krones will host a lecture forum both live on our stand in Hall B6 and as a livestream on our website’s drinktec page – a first for us. The forum will run across the entire week, with Krones experts, customers and other partners giving about 40 short presentations on five topical issues: the line of the future, digital transformation, sustainability, trends and products, and visions, thus providing a catalyst for more in-depth discussions later on. “We’d already been considering hosting an open platform for quite some time and believe now is the time to offer the possibility for a broad exchange of news and views. It’s all about gaining new insights, looking at things from a different angle and discussing a whole range of different ideas – fully in line with our motto “Solutions beyond tomorrow”. And so Thomas Ricker, CSO at Krones AG, bids you “to come and join us at the Krones stand in a lively exchange of news and views on many different subjects with experts, customers and partners.”

With Ingeniq, Krones is bringing forward tomorrow’s future to today. Lines for further container types and product categories are already under preparation. Krones is thus setting the requisite benchmarks for the future of the engineering sector now, which will meet again in three years’ time at drinktec 2028.

About Krones

The technology company Krones headquartered in Neutraubling, Germany, is a global leader in developing and manufacturing state-of-the-art machines and complete lines for the fields of process, filling and packaging technology. Its portfolio is perfectly complemented by additional products and services provided by the Krones subsidiaries, such as solutions for anything to do with digital transformation, intralogistics and plastics recycling. Krones employs more than 20,000 people worldwide. Consolidated sales in 2024 totalled 5.3 billion euros. The Krones Group includes not only Krones AG (listed on the stock exchange), but also more than 100 subsidiaries and further production, sales and service companies worldwide