The Carlsberg Malaysia Group is replacing two existing filling lines for beer with a state-of-the-art glass line from Krones that combines returnables and non-returnables processing
In Southeast Asia, the Carlsberg Group is a well-established player. Its subsidiary Carlsberg Malaysia Group operates a plant in Malaysia, holds a share in a Sri Lankan brewery, and is represented in Singapore. The Malaysian brewery additionally exports to other markets in the region such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Cambodia, and Laos. To maintain its strong presence, the Carlsberg Malaysia Group produces not only its own products but also other well-known brands and international premium beers from partner and subsidiary breweries.
Now, the group is undertaking a massive upgrade of its filling capacity for both returnable and non-returnable glass. To this end, it is making what is probably its biggest investment in some 30 years, installing a new combination glass line from Krones for returnable and non-returnable containers. This turnkey filling line is also one of the most advanced glass lines Krones has ever installed in the region.
The new line replaces 2 existing lines that are over 25 years old and will fill all Carlsberg products as well as local brands in 330ml, 580ml, and 640ml bottles.
The special feature of this line is that it needs to be installed in a very tight space and consider the handling of both returnable and non-returnable glass. This high flexibility was possible only because the Varioline concept offers a wide range of packaging options on a single machine. The line can now produce crates and American-style boxes with baskets alike and top the crates off with sun shields.
Since the new line will be the brewing plant’s only glass-filling system, it is extremely important to Carlsberg that it will be brought online as quickly as possible and on schedule. The new line will be installed in the very same space that the 2 smaller ones occupy now. For that reason, Carlsberg and Krones have agreed that no more than 2 months will pass from the time installation begins until the first product is filled. It’s an ambitious timetable. The commissioning date is set for 8 August 2022.
In the concluding words of Peter Wachenschwanz, Supply Chain Director at Carlsberg Malaysia, “We chose the Krones line because Krones offered the better packaging concept with the Varioline in particular and has been able to commit to our very ambitious schedule with not more than 2 months pass from start of installation until the first bottle is ready for sales.”
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Krones (Thailand) Co. Ltd
