• The automatic labeller can handle 5000 spherical containers per hour
    The automatic labeller can handle 5000 spherical containers per hour
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The Mozart Distillerie needed a labeller that deliberately produces creases. What for most beverage producers is a no-no was one of the paramount requirements of the Salzburg distillery. The label, made of aluminium-coated paper foil, is required to fit snugly around the spherical container – and to look as if it had been applied by hand.

Hitherto, Mozart Distillerie had been using what was a 30-year-old labeller from a customised-machine manufacturer, which plant manager Friedrich Guggenberger had progressively individualised over the course of time with numerous design enhancements of his own. But the output no longer sufficed – and Mozart Distillerie was looking for a partner to jointly develop a new machine.

Because Krones’ corporate roots originate in labelling, the firm accepted the challenge – and combined the long years of practical experience and visions contributed by Guggenberger and his team with the technical expertise of Krones’ own labelling specialists.

The results are a combination of features for precise container positioning, several inspection systems, and a multiplicity of technological customisation improvements.

For labelling, Krones deployed a combination of one cold-glue and one wrap-around Contiroll labelling station, and pressure-sensitive body labels are applied to a sloping area. For affixing the foil, Krones developed a patented combination of a servomotor that turns the bottles, and linear motors that in twelve press-on operations use sponges to carefully press the foil onto the containers.

In order to ensure that the closure cap is correctly positioned as well, Krones has specially developed a guide rail that uses the sloping label area as an orientation reference point.

The new line is currently dressing around 5000 bottles per hour, with an option to increase the output to 9000 bph. It embodies two antithetical characteristics: the technology is fully automated, while the results reflect Mozart Distillerie’s craft philosophy.

Food & Drink Business

As the Australian functional beverage market continues to grow, emerging companies are still finding places to slot in. Alcohol recovery drink, Dodge, hit stores in mid-2022, and has taken off across the Asia-Pacific region with its science-backed formula and striking branding. Food & Drink Business spoke with co-founder, Braeden Leahy, about the product and plans for the future.

The former deputy chief of staff to the federal communications minister, Amanda Watson, has been appointed CEO of the Brewers Association of Australia (BAA).  Watson starts in the role on 14 July and replaces John Preston, who had been in the role for five years.

The Victorian government has invested $160,000 to support the sustainability and profitability of the state’s wine industry, matched by $240,000 from Wine Australia. The funds will help Wine Victoria to provide the wine industry with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to improve practices and outcomes.