Spotlighting Krones’ entire portfolio
At drinktec 2025 in Munich, it was all about beverages and liquid food. And we at Krones presented a variety of innovations and upgrades, right in line with our motto “Solutions beyond tomorrow”.
On an exhibit space of around 10,000 square metres, we showcased the Krones Group’s entire portfolio: From superior process technologies to energy- and media-efficient filling and packaging solutions right through to fully automated intralogistics concepts – Krones demonstrated how digital transformation, sustainability and efficiency are not only compatible but, in fact, enhance each other.
The future has a name
At this year’s drinktec, Krones presented 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 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 reduces the overall complexity of the line layout.
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Savings in sight
Energy and packaging material – without a doubt, these two areas offer the greatest potential for savings on a PET line .
At drinktec, Krones showcased individual solutions that demonstrate how deliberate, well-thought-out measures can yield valuable gains and savings in your ongoing production operations.
Minding your footprint in more ways than one
For many beverage makers, the decision to invest in a new line is driven by a need for a small physical footprint and therefore a compact layout. But space requirements are just one of many aspects informing our efforts to develop new and improved solutions for glass containers.
Full speed ahead into the future
The can is a popular and sustainable packaging option. For beverage producers who use cans, Krones offers turnkey lines from a single source – right through to the high-output range.
At drinktec, we exhibited many machines and features that will not only take your production speed to the next level but also make you a leader in terms of sustainability and digital innovation.
It doesn’t get any safer than this
If you want to ensure a microbiologically safe environment for sensitive drinks, there’s no way round aseptic filling. So it’s hardly surprising that the technology is booming right now. Our developers are also huge fans – which is why they’re continually finding new ways to make our systems even better. First and foremost, they’ve focused on shrinking the physical footprint, reducing resource consumption, shortening cleaning times and speeding up product change-overs.
The Krones family advantage
We take a holistic view of things. And so, when it comes to product manufacture, we support our customers throughout the entire process, from the raw materials right through to the finished product.
To ensure that our efforts are successful, we rely on the vast expertise of the entire Krones family, leveraging synergies and know-how across the group. At drinktec, we showcased an integrated, resource-saving process technology portfolio in collaboration with our subsidiaries Steinecker, Milkron, HST, Evoguard, Ampco Pumps, Perfinox and GHS.
Absolute efficiency is key
Short pathways, lean processes and agile material flows that can be adapted to current production and shipping needs with utmost flexibility – when it comes to intralogistics, absolute efficiency is key. In order to achieve it, we leave nothing to chance in the planning and execution of intralogistics projects.
The requisite expertise here comes from System Logistics. With storage and retrieval, order-picking and driverless transport systems as well as the matching software solutions, System Logistics is your ideal partner for implementing integrated intralogistics solutions.
PET Point: packed full of know-how
If you visited drinktec and walked from the Krones stand in Hall B6 into Hall C6, you’ll have arrived once again at Krones. Or rather, you’ll have found three Krones subsidiaries specialising in plastics beyond filling and packaging.
Netstal, MHT and Krones Recycling teamed up as a single point of contact at the drinktec PET Point for all those seeking solutions that close the plastics loop and even reinvent it.
Savings that count
Where can I save energy and other resources in my production operations? How can I prevent waste and achieve circularity? Which sustainability goals are realistic – and what do I need in order to achieve them? These days, companies can’t afford to ignore questions like these. Which is why we are designing innovations that reconcile sustainability and profitability.
Whether it’s our enviro-certified technologies, digital services for optimising production and resource use or our comprehensive energy and sustainability consulting, we’ve got solutions that will sustainably transform our industry.
Next-level production
Krones and digital transformation are a perfect match. Krones has long been much more than a traditional machinery manufacturer. As a technology company serving the beverage and liquid food industry, we help our customers implement digital solutions that enable them to achieve lasting success despite increasing complexity and fast-paced change. We can do that thanks to our broad portfolio, which is already tailored to the industry, offering a diverse range of promising software solutions that help bring clarity to complex production processes, optimise them and take them to the next level of efficiency and sustainability.
Top performance together
As the name suggests: The experts of the Krones Lifecycle Service are real partners and always stay by your side for the entire service life of your Krones equipment – worldwide and around the clock. This includes a comprehensive after-sales support, but also extends far beyond that: We support you in optimising the performance and service life of your plant, organising your warehouse in the best possible way and always keeping an eye on resource-saving options for your production. How do we do that? By combining our many years of know-how, high-quality products and intelligent, digital services. We identify your requirements and wishes and translate them into solutions tailored precisely to your needs – from individual services to practical, modularly configurable service packages.
We also unveiled a number of service innovations at the drinktec, such as proactive support enabled by downtime- and line-performance-monitoring or the use of AI for optimised production planning.
44 sessions to rewatch as often as you like
Over the course of the entire week of drinktec, our Forum hosted a variety of speakers from our own team, our customers and other partners. More than 40 short presentations outlined the latest technological trends, provided exclusive insights into production practices and discussed key topics for the future of our industry. Did you miss some or all of the presentations? Not to worry! Next to each title in the agenda, you’ll find a link to the recording of the live session.
Topic of the day: The line of the future
At the last drinktec, it was still just a vision. Now, it’s reality. Find out what the PET line of the future is all about – and experience a fantastic full-circle moment with us.
Topic of the day: Digital transformation
Tailor your transformation to your needs. Find out how you can use digital services, automation solutions and AI applications to take your production to the next level – with practical explanations and real examples from our industry.
Topic of the day: Sustainability
Dive into the many facets of sustainability – from reducing consumption to leveraging circularity and protecting the climate. Our speakers will give you exciting insights that extend beyond our own industry.
Topic of the day: Trends and products
From label-less bottles to more efficient beer filling to compact aseptic solutions: What are our development teams working on right now? And which trends are coming to the beverage industry? Find out during today’s forum.
Topic of the day: Visions
As the fair draws to a close, we’ll look forward instead of back. In fact, we’ll turn our gaze far into the future. The last morning of our forum is dedicated to exploring the challenges of the future – with another very special and exciting talk from one of our customers.
Exploring the world of alternative proteins and bioprocessing
What do beer, cultured meat, and insulin have in common? They are all products that originate from one of the fields of biotechnology. This means: Living cells or their components, such as enzymes, are used to convert a substrate into specific products.
For beer, this is the fermentation process – and this is where Steinecker comes into play. With 150 years of experience, the Krones subsidiary knows beer and the brewing process probably better than any other company in the world. Since a few years, this experience has been adapted to alternative proteins. Here, cells are propagated in a bioreactor which was developed on the basis of the fermentation unit Poseidon, known from the brewing technology.
But it cannot be used for food or beverages only! During his lecture at drinktec, Alexander Scheidel from Steinecker explained how the know-how from producing beer and alternative proteins can also be adapted to other bioprocesses, e.g. in the agricultural, marine, or pharmaceutical industries.
Compact, smart, and ready for the future – discover the new Contipure AseptBloc
In a fast-evolving industry where flexibility, sustainability, and product safety are key, Krones presents a true game-changer: the new compact version of the Contipure AseptBloc.
In the dynamic world of sensitive beverage production, manufacturers face increasing demands for flexibility, sustainability, and uncompromising product safety. Krones has responded with a breakthrough solution: the new compact version of the Contipure AseptBloc – engineered specifically for lower output ranges without sacrificing performance.
The aseptic block offers a fully isolated design that ensures maximum hygiene and product integrity. With a footprint of just 100 square meters, it’s ideal for brownfield installations or facilities with limited space. The system supports outputs starting from 8,000 bottles per hour, making it a perfect fit for small to mid-sized operations or new product launches.
Key technical highlights include:
• Automated head adjustment on the capper and adaptive filling valves for seamless changeovers between product types and bottle formats
• Over 50 percent footprint reduction compared to standard aseptic blocks, contributing directly to lower building and operational costs
• Integrated sustainability features, such as lightweighting options and optimised packaging flexibility, enabling reduced carbon emissions and enhanced shelf appeal
• Modular design that supports a wide range of packaging formats – from wraparound cartons to hybrid solutions – with minimal downtime
Curious to see how visions become reality? In the video, Krones expert Nick Kolter takes you on a journey through the challenges of aseptic filling and how this new solution ticks all the boxes – from safety and flexibility to sustainability and packaging design.
