Slovak dairy producer Euromilk has invested in a SIG Slimline 12 Aseptic filling machine to increase production capacity and improve operational efficiency.
The investment is intended to help the company meet growing demand for products including white and flavoured milk, cream and plant-based beverages, while supporting its position in the Slovak market.
The filling line can produce up to 12,000 carton packs an hour and can switch between 500ml, 750ml and 1-litre pack sizes on the same machine. According to SIG, changeovers between volumes take less than 15 minutes by changing the sleeves, adjusting the fill volume and updating the machine settings.
Carton compatibility
The line is compatible with both standard carton packaging materials and SIG Terra Alu-free and SIG Terra Forest-based polymers packaging materials, which Euromilk already uses.
SIG said its aluminium-free aseptic carton packaging material was introduced for plain liquid dairy products in 2010. The SIG Terra Forest-based polymers used in closures and paperboard lamination are linked to renewable forest-based feedstocks sourced from wood residues generated during paper production through an ISCC Plus certified mass balance system.
Tibor Balogh, managing director of Euromilk, said: “Our partnership with SIG spans more than 25 years and has helped Euromilk to double production volumes, support continued growth and strengthen its position in the local market.
“With the SIG Slimline 12 Aseptic filling machine we can continue to uphold our company values by combining traditional recipes and proven processes. SIG’s filling technology is essential to match the high quality of our products, our commitment to sustainability and to meet consumer expectations.”
Filling line flexibility
Euromilk said the flexibility of the filling line will also support expansion of its product portfolio beyond its core categories, with products including oat milk and barista milk.
According to SIG, its sleeve-based filling and ultrasonic sealing technology enables manufacturers to switch between pack volumes, formats and packaging materials without additional machinery investments, provided the packs have the same base dimensions.
Sarka Kaplanova, managing director and head of sales for the Czech Republic and Slovakia at SIG, said sustainability and efficiency must go hand in hand.
She added: “With the flexibility of the SIG Slimline 12 Aseptic filling line, including the ability to fill regular aseptic carton packaging material, aluminium-free solutions and packaging materials with forest-based polymers on the same machine, Euromilk has exactly what is needed to set the pace in the eastern European food and beverage market.”
