Euromilk, a Slovakian dairy producer, has installed a new SIG Slimline 12 Aseptic filling machine. The SIG filling technology, featuring volume and packaging material flexibility, will help Euromilk meet growing demand for its products, including white and flavoured milks, cream and plant-based beverages, the companies say.

This latest investment to increase capacity comes as Euromilk continues to strengthen its market share in Slovakia. With the new equipment, Euromilk can fill up to 12,000 carton packs per hour in three different volumes (500ml, 750ml and 1,000ml) on the same filling machine, with a changeover time of less than 15 minutes by simply changing the sleeves, adjusting the volume and setting the new parameters.

Sustainability is a key focus for Euromilk, with the company emphasising this through campaigns such as its ‘Kukkonia Green’ programme. The filling line is capable of filling both standard packaging materials and SIG’s sustainable packaging material innovations such as SIG Terra Alu-free and SIG Terra Forest-based polymers, which are already used by Euromilk.

SIG was the first to introduce a packaging material without an aluminium layer for aseptic cartons in 2010, with SIG Terra Alu-free developed for plain liquid dairy products.

Tibor Balogh, managing director of Euromilk, says, “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.”

Sarka Kaplanova, managing director and head of sales for Czech Republic and Slovakia at SIG adds, “Sustainability and efficiency must go hand in hand. With the flexibility of the SIG Slimline 12 Aseptic filling line, including the ability to fill regular aseptic carton packaging material, alu-layer-free solutions and packaging materials with forest-based polymers on the same machine, Euromilk has what is needed to set the pace in the Eastern European food and beverage market.”