The future of the beverage industry has a name: Ingeniq

At this year’s drinktec trade fair, Krones presented for the first time a data-based, fully automated line system for filling non-carbonated water into PET containers. We call it the line of the future – or better yet, Ingeniq.

Ingeniq is a new line concept that was designed as the answer to the most frequent questions (or rather requests) we’ve gotten from customers recently. And it translates what Krones presented as a vision at drinktec 2022 into shopfloor reality: a line that couples low total cost of ownership with consistently high efficiency.

The system consists of modular and standardized components that leverage robotics and artificial intelligence in a well-thought-out design that reduces the overall complexity of the line layout. “At Krones, we know that our success depends on our customers’ success. That is why we have taken this line concept a step further, forging an alliance with the customer and actively assuming joint responsibility for the entire life cycle – that is something that’s never been done before,” explains Markus Tischer, Member of the Executive Board of Krones AG responsible for International Operations and Services.

Article 44862 — Ingeniq is a well-thought-out integrated concept that uses robotics and artificial intelligence, among other tools.

Ingeniq is more than a line. It’s a comprehensive concept made up of the following three components:

The line itself – technologically cutting-edge, modular and ready for the future
Digital access through Connect and Secure – the line is visible digitally and can be supported remotely
Our alliance with the customer, which we call Lifecycle Alliance – Krones assumes responsibility for output and life cycle costs in a modularized service agreement

At Krones, we know that our success depends on our customers’ success. That is why we have taken this line concept a step further, forging an alliance with the customer and actively assuming joint responsibility for the entire life cycle – that is something that’s never been done before. Erwin Hächl Markus TischerMember of the Krones Executive Board, responsible for International Operations and Services

Ingeniq – the line itself

Our new digital automation architecture makes it possible to connect highly efficient individual machines within a line network and maximize automation: from in-house preform manufacture to high-speed filling of still water on the ErgoBloc L right through to autonomous material supply logistics and sustainable packaging solutions – always with a watchful eye on production.

From the preform to the filled bottle

Prefero is Krones’ preform system. The injection molder is designed as a hybrid machine with an electrical mold movement and is impressive not only with a best-in-class lock-to-lock time of just 1.9 seconds (400 t). Thanks to an integrated energy recovery system, it also uses up to 20 percent less energy overall than conventional machines. The Prenexo conveying and buffering system ensures smooth, efficient material flows between the Prefero injection molder and the Contiform stretch blow molder – it is reliable, secure and container-friendly and improves preform logistics. With it, the two machines can be directly block-synchronized, thus increasing the degree of automation and making the production line more compact, efficient and flexible.

Thanks to an integrated energy recovery system, Prefero uses up to 20 percent less energy than conventional injection molding machines.
The ErgoBloc L has gotten a performance boost: The entire process, from stretch blow molding right through to capping, is faster and less complicated thanks to AI-driven process optimization and quality assurance and a direct connection to the autonomous material handling systems.

The ErgoBloc L is in a league of its own when it comes to performance per square meter. The wet-end block achieves outputs of up to 100,000 containers per hour – on a footprint that is up to 70 percent smaller than that of a conventional line. Stretch blow molding, labelling, filling and capping are all faster and less complicated thanks to AI-driven process optimization and quality assurance and a direct connection to the autonomous material handling systems.

Autonomous material handling for maximum efficiency

Whether it’s the inclusion of robotics in a filling line, centralized receiving and unpacking of raw materials, or the use of line management tools to enable operator-machine communication, the flexibility, efficiency and precision of our autonomous material handling systems help our customers automate their work flows and optimize their processes. One example of such an application within the Ingeniq line is the fully automatic reloading, preparing and splicing of label reels without any manual intervention on the operator’s part.

Article 44785 — Whether it’s the inclusion of robotics in a filling line, centralized receiving and unpacking of raw materials, or the use of line management tools to enable operator-machine communication, the flexibility, efficiency and precision of our autonomous material handling systems help our customers automate their work flows and optimize their processes.

Efficient end-of-line solutions for every requirement

A customized, sustainable packing system rounds out the line: The fully automatic Variopac Pro packer, for example, easily adapts to any and all packaging trends. Whether it’s pads, trays or wrap-around cartons, with or without film or “only” film-wrapped – the different models of the Variopac Pro cover a large number of packaging options. The machine’s modular construction makes it flexible enough to handle a wide variety of packaging configurations. The Variopac Pro takes any changes in packaging in stride.

Meanwhile, Modulpal Pro series robots open up an abundance of possibilities for palletizing and depalletizing. Depending on the task at hand, the individual modular components can be combined as needed: for example, to create palletizing specialists that are super-fast, especially gentle on products or highly flexible – or even all three at once.

The fully automatic Variopac Pro packer easily adapts to any and all packaging trends.

Ingeniq – digital access

In order to digitally network existing machines or lines, the “Connect and Secure” hardware package is needed, which gives access into the digital world of the production line. The existing system or line becomes part of Krones’ digital world – visible, connected and remote-maintenance-enabled. Through the Krones.world platform, both the customer and Krones have 24/7 access to relevant production data.

Connect and Secure makes it possible to dive right into the digital world of the production line.

Ingeniq – our alliance with the customer

An alliance is a pact, a partnership between individuals and/or organizations pursuing a common goal, in which both parties contribute to its attainment. It is based on trust, dependability and accountability. With the Lifecycle Alliance built into Ingeniq, Krones is committing to just such a partnership with the customer. The aim is to ensure that the agreed-upon level of line efficiency is reached through a joint effort.

Krones’ contribution looks like this:

Performance: Increase output and production reliability
Maintenance: Reduce operating costs and downtimes
Availability: Dependable and connected

With the right selection of – and in this case built-in – service products for Ingeniq, customers will be able to substantially reduce their operating costs and be assured of efficient, reliable production for the long term. That is because all Krones services are optimally aligned and can be adapted flexibly to meet each customer’s specific requirements. To accomplish this, Krones offers modular service agreements and personal consultations with our experts.

“The new line concept of the future offers significant advantages for customers, such as maximal availability and output, minimal and calculable operating costs, maximal automation, including digital integration, focused sustainability, and lower total cost of ownership. We’re starting with a version that fills non-carbonated water into PET containers – but that is just the beginning. Additional container types and product categories will follow. With Ingeniq, Krones is transforming itself from a machine manufacturer into a comprehensive partner for successful production,” is how Markus Tischer wraps up the presentation of the new line concept at drinktec 2025.

With Ingeniq, Krones is transforming itself from a machine manufacturer into a comprehensive partner for successful production. Erwin Hächl Markus TischerMember of the Krones Executive Board, responsible for International Operations and Services

What’s in a name: Ingeniq

And because we imagine that some of our readers might be wondering where the name Ingeniq came from, what it means and how to pronounce it, here are a few fun facts:

The name Ingeniq was coined from the words ingenuity and IQ (intelligence quotient). It suggests innovation and intelligence – and, at the same time, evokes aspects of digital transformation. And so, this neologism is associated with some pride, which suits the newly minted line of the future quite well, we think. As for how to pronounce it, here it is transcribed into the International Phonetic Alphabet: ˌɪnˈdʒenɪk (sounds like in·genic).