Krones Prefero brings together overall system expertise and the plastics cycle

With the acquisition of Netstal Maschinen AG at the beginning of the year, Krones has been able to offer its customers a solution from the Krones Group for every single step in the plastics loop. In addition to injection molding technology, this also includes the MHT tools required for PET production and the Krones Contiform series for stretch blow molding the bottles. Added to this are competencies in preform and container design, as well as the MetaPure plastics recycling systems and the comprehensive digitalization solutions.

With Prefero, Krones now completes its overall system for the production, filling and packaging of PET containers. This makes Krones the only supplier that can cover the entire value chain of the PET beverage industry with its own portfolio.

The idea of lines counts

"For Krones, filling and packaging lines are not just made up of many individual machines that are linked together. What counts for us is the interaction of all components to form a single unit. With Prefero, we are now harmonizing precisely this line concept with the plastics loop and the associated Krones solutions," explains Jochen Hirdina, Head of Plastics Technology. "This overall solution expertise is also the basis for us to be able to exploit the opportunities of digitalization," continues Jochen Hirdina.

Netstal machines will continue to be available in the future

Netstal will remain independent in the future and offer its portfolio for preforms, closures, packaging technology and medical technology. While Krones with Prefero concentrates on complete PET systems from preforms to filling and packaging, Netstal's injection molding technology focuses on production systems consisting of injection molding machines, molds and peripherals," Hirdina continues. At the same time, existing synergies are to be exploited. "In future, for example, Netstal will also benefit from the worldwide Krones set-up and thus be even closer to its customers.“