Article taken from ItaliaImballaggio - 1 April 2025

To meet the needs of the beverage industry, KHS GmbH is constantly modernising its solutions by expanding its range of services. The latest solution solves the challenges of filling thin-walled cans, ensuring high efficiency in the operation of machines and systems.

With a view to saving resources, cans have been developed with increasingly thinner walls. This allows for a more efficient use of materials and reduces the ecological footprint. However, halving the thickness of the walls of lightweight containers requires an adaptation in terms of the filling technology.

"While the classic formats could withstand a force of up to 800 newtons in the filling valve pressure and the subsequent filling, modern lightweight cans can withstand a maximum of 675 newtons without undergoing damage," Andreas Krieg, Technical Support for KHS's organic waste section, explained.

With its new solution for the gentle filling of particularly lightweight cans, the Dortmund system supplier meets the emerging needs of the beverage industry.

Conversion to optimise production processes and competitiveness

KHS has developed a conversion kit that makes it possible to adapt a large number of its can fillers on the market to meet the new requirements. Using suitable tulip guides associated with Teflon folded bellows or elastomer seals according to the year of production, it is possible to easily modify the pneumatic pressure range of the filling valve and consequently adjust the contact pressure of the valve. Optimised pneumatic cylinders also allow for precise adjustment and pressure reduction. The optimal operation of the machines is thus maintained even with the different requirements in terms of the different containers.

Combination of sustainability, cost efficiency and flexibility

The filling valves for light cans can be adjusted gradually and during regular maintenance work. This ensures maximum flexibility and minimises production interruptions. In addition, bottlers can choose whether to either adapt or completely replace the valves. KHS also offers a complete service from a single supplier in close collaboration with its Swiss partner Ferrum, as the adaptation to light containers requires the conversion of the capping machine.

"If requested, we can coordinate this operation. Ferrum supplies the appropriate components and fitters," Krieg stated.

Successful market testing

Since the spring, KHS has been successfully testing the new conversion kits for light cans at customers’ premises and the feedback has always been positive.

 "The tests confirm the efficiency and reliability in the conversion time", Krieg said, satisfied. Based on these results, the new offer is officially available with immediate effect.