KHS Group has added a further resource-conserving alternative to its successful Nature MultiPack packaging system with its new bottle clip system, which was presented for the first time at Interpack in May.
Variants of two to eight PET bottles per pack holding 250ml to 2000ml each were showcased at the event.
According to KHS, the combination of tried-and-tested adhesive dots plus a new cardboard carrying handle makes for a stable pack of PET beverage bottles.
“With our new bottle clip variant, we now offer a supplement to our futureproof packaging system portfolio,” said Manfred van Triel, project manager at KHS Group.
“The development is the result of a detailed customer survey. Our new alternative reflects the beverage industry’s needs for environmentally-friendly secondary packaging systems.
“The market finds it very important that fewer materials and especially less plastic are used here.”
With its bottle clip system, KHS satisfies both demands, thanks to the use of its proven dots of adhesive, absolutely no outer packaging is required. At the same time, the new cardboard carrying handle ensures convenient, plastic-free transportation.
“Extensive handling and laboratory tests confirm the practicality of this pack. With this resource-conserving system, beverage producers can do away with shrink film entirely,” added van Triel.
The new packs are processed on the modular KHS Innopack Kisters NMP packaging machine.
Here, the existing module used to apply the original plastic carrying handle is replaced by a newly developed unit that feeds in the alternative cardboard clip and slots it onto the PET containers.
Former process steps such as distribution among different lanes, buffering and pack turning are no longer required, which makes the machine up to 4m shorter – a huge benefit for operators with limited production space.
“I see great potential in the new bottle clip system, and customers are showing a lot of interest. They’re especially keen on the minimalist amount of material consumed,” van Triel said.
“We’re thus certain that our new packaging alternative will become established on the market.”
