Focus areas for the partnership include improvements in glass filling and packaging line speed and efficiency; enhanced agility and flexibility of responding to market trends; development of innovative and sustainable glass systems; and advancements in digital solutions such as direct-to-glass digital printing technology.
The two companies say the agreement allows them to combine O-I’s specialized knowledge of glass with Krones’ competence in manufacturing machines and filling lines for the food and beverage industries.
Christoph Klenk, CEO of Germany’s Krones AG, said: “In production facilities all over the world, the products of O-I and Krones are already encountering each other. So it was absolutely logical to improve still further the compatibility of Krones’ complete lines and the glass containers from O-I.”
Andres Lopez, President and CEO at O-I (which is headquartered in Ohio in the US), said:“For O-I, glass is the preferred packaging solution in a world that increasingly values health, premium products and the environment. Not only does it maintain the integrity of the products and protects the environment, as customers and consumers intend, but it also offers magnificent opportunities for establishing brands and implementing sustainable solutions.
“This agreement is the first step that O-I and Krones are taking together in order to offer clients completely integrated, end-to-end solutions in the future.”