Nov 25 2011 --- Specialist plastics packaging technology business Petainer and contract packer Pomona Group are to develop a contract beverage packing hub which will exclusively use the Petainer ‘Classic’ family of PET kegs.

The deal was announced following Petainer’s participation in the Brau Beviale exhibition in Germany at the start of November.

A dedicated, fully automated line which is designed to blow, fill and pack the complete range of Petainer Classic ‘one-way’ kegs will be installed at the Pomona facility in Hessische Oldendorf in Germany. The facility will become operational during the second quarter of 2012.

It will utilise bespoke handling, filling and packing technologies designed and developed exclusively by KHS GmbH.

Pomona Group provides expertise in contract bottling and packaging and a trusted capability to handle complex and sensitive projects on behalf of many of Europe’s premier beverage businesses.

The Petainer-Pomona full service hub will have the capacity to produce and fill 1.5 million Petainer Kegs each year and will provide a unique service to Europe’s beverage manufacturers. The efficiency of the fully automated line will create the most economic one-way keg operation in Europe.

Marius Müller, CEO of the Pomona Group, said: “This highly automated filling line using Petainer Kegs is a remarkable and innovative step for the whole beverage industry. It opens new markets and fits well into our wide range of co-packing services.”

Brian Woods, group chief operating officer of Petainer, said: “This is a further endorsement of the Petainer Keg family and provides a step change in environmental performance and one-way keg economic effectiveness for Europe’s beverage industry. This supports the European beverage industry in the development and growth of their businesses in these challenging times.”

The Petainer Keg is a lightweight beverage container manufactured in recyclable PET and designed for one-way use – once empty it can be simply placed in the recycling bin with other empty PET containers. Eliminating the complex return logistics required for conventional metal kegs cuts costs and environmental impacts.

It is available in 15, 20, 30 and 40 litre capacities and offers a significant breakthrough in the sales and marketing of volume beer, wine and other beverages, opening up new channels and markets.

Unlike other plastic and metal kegs the Petainer Keg can be supplied either complete and ready for filling or as a ‘preform’ that can be blown near the point of use. This second option provides further environmental and economic benefits.