SHERIDAN, WYOMING – August 26, 2024 – In a move that underscores the growing synergy between two industry leaders, South American beverage giant Postobón and German packaging and bottling solutions provider KHS have successfully installed three state-of-the-art filling lines in Colombia. This strategic collaboration highlights Postobón's commitment to innovation and efficiency in its production processes, while showcasing KHS's technological prowess in delivering high-speed, sustainable solutions.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Shared Goals
Postobón, Colombia's leading beverage producer, boasts a diverse portfolio encompassing water, soft drinks, juices,teas, energy drinks, beer, and coffee. The company's decision to partner with KHS for its latest expansion project reflects a long-standing relationship built on trust and mutual respect.
César Bohórquez, Postobón's National Project Manager, emphasized the significance of this partnership: "We value KHS as one of the world’s most renowned manufacturers of plant engineering. We’re impressed by their pioneering technological standards for high-speed lines. We count on KHS with respect to the growth of our business as one of our key technology partners. They develop extensive and efficient systems for our processes that perfectly meet Postobón’s growth requirements."
Technological Prowess and Sustainability at the Forefront
The three new filling lines, installed in Bogotá and Malambo, represent a significant leap forward in Postobón's production capabilities. The lines feature a range of KHS block systems, including the InnoPET TriBlock for water and carbonated beverages, and the BloFill duo block for hot-filling juice, tea, and energy drinks.
The HotFill+ line, in particular, stands out as a technological marvel. With a capacity of up to 54,000 bottles per hour, it is the fastest KHS line of its kind globally. This remarkable speed is achieved through a combination of lightweight container design, optimized by KHS's Bottles & Shapes program, and precise process control throughout the entire block.
Sustainability is a core value for Postobón, and the new lines reflect this commitment. The company has invested heavily in social and environmental programs, and the KHS solutions align with these goals. For instance, Postobón's Aqua Cristal water brand is bottled in containers made entirely of recycled PET, which are themselves fully recyclable.
Meeting Challenges with Innovative Solutions
Each of the three projects presented unique challenges, from the high altitude of Bogotá affecting bottle pressure to the need for flexible filling valves to accommodate various beverage types. KHS's expertise and innovative solutions were instrumental in overcoming these hurdles.
"Each of our projects presents us with unique challenges," Bohórquez acknowledged. "In order to meet these, together with KHS we repeatedly look for and find solutions and synergies that take us a good step further towards reaching our ambitious strategic growth targets."
A Promising Future
The successful installation of these three filling lines marks a significant milestone in the Postobón-KHS partnership.With KHS's cutting-edge technology and Postobón's dedication to quality and sustainability, the two companies are well-positioned to continue their collaborative journey, driving innovation and growth in the beverage industry.
As Fernando Delgado, Regional Sales Manager at KHS Andes, aptly stated, "On the one hand, our recipe for success entails nurturing close relations by correctly anticipating the issues and questions a customer may have. On the other, we form a perfectly coordinated team made up of KHS colleagues situated both locally and at our headquarters in Germany. This is something a customer like Postobón is of course happy to profit from."