Peter MörtlAt Encirc’s Avonmouth facility near Bristol, a newly installed filling line for wine from Krones is helping the company meet growing demand in the UK beverage market. Designed for flexibility and efficiency, the line is part of Encirc’s broader strategy to expand its integrated packaging capabilities across the UK and Ireland.
Encirc, part of the Vidrala Group, acquired the Avonmouth site in early 2023. Alongside its facilities in Derrylin (Northern Ireland) and Elton (Cheshire), the site strengthens the company's ability to manage the full packaging lifecycle, from glass production to product dispatch.
Tailored for Wine Filling
The new line is optimised for wine filling, handling bottle sizes from 187 millilitres to 1.25 litres at up to 26,000 bottles per hour. It includes a range of advanced technologies such as Ergomodul labelling, MultiGuide clamping starwheels, and the UniPure duplex filtration system – the first of its kind in UK wine bottling.
The duplex filtration setup has already delivered measurable benefits in terms of product stability and process efficiency. “I am extremely excited to be able to install this new UniPure filtration system into our Bristol facility and be the first UK site bottling wine with it”, explains Mark Smith, Head of Engineering at Encirc.
The line also features Krones' dryslat conveyor systems for optimised container handling, precise valve-level fill height control, automated filtration monitoring, and integrated line performance tracking.
A tightly integrated interface between the tankhouse, filtration, and filling systems, also engineered by Krones, ensures streamlined product flow and operational cohesion. Designed for maximum agility, the line allows for rapid format and product changeovers, executed by Encirc’s in-house team including a team leader, three operators, and a dedicated engineer.
I am extremely excited to be able to install this new UniPure filtration system into our Bristol facility and be the first UK site bottling wine with it.
Trainings by the Krones Academy
Encirc runs a four-shift, 12-hour schedule over five days, with the flexibility to scale to a seven-day operation to meet seasonal demand. The Bristol site is staffed entirely by fully trained permanent employees. Operator training is a key focus, including formal instruction at the Krones Academy in Germany to ensure alignment with equipment capabilities and best practices.
To maintain optimal performance and uptime, Encirc has entered into a dedicated service agreement with Krones. This includes preventive maintenance, spare parts management, and remote technical support – all contributing to consistent production and reduced downtime.
The Bristol development underscores Encirc’s commitment to its vertically integrated business model and sustainability goals. The facility operates entirely on renewable electricity and follows a zero-waste policy. Encirc’s operations, powered by Krones technology, serve a diverse customer base across wine, spirits, beer, soft drinks, and food sectors. The new Krones equipped line enhances Encirc’s ability to meet demand with speed, quality, and reduced environmental impact.