As packaging requirements become more complex, companies are no longer simply investing in machines or materials – they are investing in flexibility, future readiness and long-term growth. That is the central message behind Krones’ latest approach to secondary packaging solutions, where partnerships and system thinking are reshaping how sustainable packaging concepts are developed and implemented.
Rather than offering one-size-fits-all answers, Krones focuses on creating solutions tailored to each customer’s production environment, business model and market demands. This is particularly important in the growing field of sustainable packaging, where factors such as material properties, logistics, automation, brand impact and regulatory compliance all need to work together seamlessly.
“The challenges we face today are simply too complex for a single company to solve on its own,” explains Maximilian Kühnl, Product Specialist for the dry end at Krones. To address this, Krones works closely with partners such as DS Smith and Mondi, combining expertise in packaging materials and design with Krones’ strengths in machine engineering and line integration.
The result is a more holistic development process where packaging is no longer treated as a standalone material decision. Instead, packaging concepts are designed from the beginning to align with machine compatibility, transport stability, shelf performance and automated high-speed production requirements. For customers, this means faster evaluations of new packaging options, fewer risks during implementation and greater confidence in future investments.
One example of this collaborative approach is the LitePac Top packaging concept. The solution bundles multipacks using carton clips and optional paper banderoles, reducing material use while maintaining product stability and creating additional branding space. While the packaging components are developed with partners such as DS Smith and Mondi, the solution is processed on the Krones Variopac Pro single-use packer. The focus, however, is not on individual suppliers but on delivering a fully integrated and functional overall system for the customer.
At the heart of this strategy is the Variopac Pro itself. Rather than being limited to a single packaging format, the machine is designed as a modular platform capable of handling a wide range of solutions – from traditional shrink packs and cartons to hybrid and fibre-based alternatives. This flexibility allows manufacturers to adapt to changing market requirements without committing prematurely to only one packaging route.
Krones describes the Variopac Pro as a kind of “Swiss army knife” for packaging technology, enabling customers to combine proven packaging formats with the option to integrate future sustainable solutions as regulations and consumer expectations evolve.
The broader goal is clear: helping customers reduce complexity while increasing flexibility. By integrating packaging expertise, automation and machine technology into one coordinated system, Krones aims to shorten development cycles, minimize interfaces and create investment security in an increasingly fast-changing market.
Ultimately, the company believes the future of packaging will not be defined by individual technologies alone, but by partnerships that bring together different strengths to create smarter, scalable solutions for what comes next.
Read the full article to discover how Krones, DS Smith and Mondi are redefining sustainable secondary packaging through collaboration and modular innovation. >> The right customer solution through partnerships – Krones
