A look at the figures highlights the dynamics in the market: whereas beer sales are declining worldwide, new growth opportunities are arising away from this classic area of the beverage industry. In Germany alone, beer sales in 2025 fell below the 80-million-hectoliter mark for the first time. This development is prompting an increasing number of traditional breweries to expand their portfolio. Companies striving for long-term future growth are expanding their portfolios to include new categories such as alcohol-free beers, flavored water, soft drinks or ready-to-drink products. “The change in our industry won’t just happen at some point – it’s already in full swing,” confirms Tobias Wetzel, CSO of the KHS Group. “Changing consumer habits demand maximum flexibility. Today, what matters is no longer the performance of individual machines, but that of the entire production line. This is increasingly becoming a strategic success factor for beverage producers.”

Flexibility meets resource efficiency

This is where KHS comes in: as a long-term partner, the systems supplier uses its holistic system expertise to help beverage producers transform established production structures into highly flexible production environments – across all beverage and container segments. At its trade show booth, KHS will demonstrate how this transformation works in practice, for example based on its high-performance glass line for the growing water market. One key aspect is to use state-of-the-art machines as components that are seamlessly integrated into a perfectly aligned complete system that minimizes unplanned downtime and improves overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

The Innoclean Cascade D bottle washing machine is a prime example in this regard. The new double-end generation was developed with a focus on resource efficiency and features modern ECO carrier 2.0 bottle pockets, enhanced label discharge and a smaller bath volume coupled with the highest standard of hygiene. The optimized heating concept impresses with simplified maintenance and cleaning as well as better accessibility. The compact machine also has a footprint that is around ten percent smaller than comparable systems.

Pooled expertise for high-performance turnkey lines

The holistic line approach taken by KHS is also evident with regard to cans. The can filler/seamer block SmartCan Eco by KHS/Ferrum is a clear example of this. With this system, KHS and Ferrum Packaging AG have combined their expertise in filling and closure technology to achieve outputs of up to 136,000 cans per hour. Thanks to precise flow metering, a far smaller hygiene area and optimized container handling, the system also processes thin-walled lightweight cans with outstanding precision and hygiene. The smaller hygiene area and sophisticated cleaning processes significantly reduce cleaning times and increase system availability. With the SmartCan Eco, KHS underlines its comprehensive commitment for all container segments: to always offer customers the best line solution.

This is why KHS is purposefully bringing together the strongest expertise on the market. Close collaboration with technology partners such as Ferrum Packaging AG, H. F. Meyer Maschinenbau GmbH, or Tyrolon GmbH enables KHS to pool specialist expertise and create custom production lines precisely tailored to customer requirements. We aim to provide the best possible production line for every application,” states Wetzel. “Accordingly, we purposefully combine our system expertise with the know-how of leading specialists. This results in solutions that offer impressive efficiency, flexibility and system performance.”

From the vision to the production shop of tomorrow

Today, KHS already supports beverage producers with the development of new container and packaging concepts. In future, this support will begin at an even earlier stage. This is because the way is often paved for the long-term success of a production site before the actual investment decision is made. Based on the initial vision, the focus is therefore increasingly turning to fundamental questions about the strategic orientation and future viability of production structures. At the Nuremberg trade show, KHS will demonstrate how it intends to further develop this holistic approach.

Reliable service and smart assistance

To keep investments profitable and flexible throughout the entire operating period, KHS provides a seamless service ecosystem. This includes predictive maintenance, modernizations and digital applications for day-to-day production operations, among other services.

One example is the further developed KHS ConnectApp Guide: integrated bills of materials provide parts information directly on the line while dynamic tasks are based on actual system utilization. This facilitates planning and supports standardized system operation.

“Flexible production requires technology that can be adapted to new requirements and intuitive service,” states Wetzel. “We therefore support our customers throughout the entire life cycle of their lines. This enables us to create the conditions for permanently high availability, economical operation and the necessary flexibility to meet future market requirements.”

The KHS Group will be presenting its systems and solutions at BrauBeviale in Hall 8 of the Nuremberg Exhibition Center from November 10 to 12.

For more information go to:

https://www.khs.com/en/company/news/press-releases

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