Cans Marking Systems in Production

Related Vendors

Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG Nummerier- und Markierungs- systeme

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Anyone opening an ice-cold can of Pepsi-Cola on a Croatian beach is using products from the production lines of Radenska Adriatic, the leading CSD bottling company there. The necessary production data on the cans is applied using Leibinger industrial printers.

Radenska Adriatic, founded in 1869, is a company with a rich tradition and a clear focus on innovation and expansion. Today, it is the largest mineral water producer in Slovenia and an important part of the internationally operating Kofola Group. In addition to its own brand of mineral water and soft drinks, Radenska also handles the bottling of Pepsi products and other carbonated soft drinks (CSD). These products are distributed not only in Slovenia but also throughout the Western Balkans along the Adriatic coast, in Europe, the USA, and even Australia. With around 260 employees and impressive production volumes, Radenska has established itself as a reliable partner in the beverage industry.

Production Challenges: Efficiency And Availability

In the production halls of Radenska, six large filling lines are in operation. These can fill up to one million bottles per day. At full capacity, up to 15,000 bottles per hour roll off the line. This is an impressive performance, but it can only be achieved if all the technology functions smoothly. This was precisely where Radenska faced challenges for a long time: the CIJ printers used for applying the required product labeling data showed weaknesses, particularly after production interruptions. The nozzles of the previous printing systems would regularly clog after longer pauses, leading to time-consuming cleaning cycles. This not only affected print quality but also slowed down overall production and negatively impacted productivity due to the delays.

Radenska decided to replace the existing printing systems. This is where Vojko Arzenšek, managing director of Adheziv (Leibinger partner) and specialist in labeling systems, stepped in. He recommended the use of Leibinger's premium printers. Radenska, however, had demanding requirements: the printing systems needed to reliably print on both cans and bottles while ensuring maximum printer availability. Additionally, the environment in beverage production posed challenges, with high humidity and moisture impacting the materials to be printed. At the same time, the new printers had to keep up with high production speeds, and the ink needed to have specific properties. Given these requirements, Arzenšek recommended Leibinger as the ideal provider.

Comprehensive Service And Low TCO Costs

To verify the best possible solution, Radenska conducted a detailed tender process involving four different providers. However, comparing the labeling systems proved complex, as various technical parameters and product characteristics had to be taken into account. Initially, Radenska focused solely on individual functionalities of the printing systems and current purchase prices. But after a thorough analysis of the offers, the company realized that the primary focus needed to be on the high availability and productivity of the systems. As a result, it changed its strategy and shifted towards the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) aspect. The new requirement was for a comprehensive "all-inclusive" package, which included not only the printers themselves but also all necessary consumables, such as ink and solvent, as well as a performance guarantee over a five-year period.

When the new tender conditions were announced, one provider withdrew. Vojko Arzenšek, however, requested detailed information from Radenska about the planned production volumes and printing tasks to create a tailored offer for the customer. Together with Leibinger, he developed a customized package that included several printers from the Jet2 neo CIJ series as well as all necessary consumables and services. After a thorough review of the offers, Radenska ultimately chose Leibinger. This was a decisive step toward increasing the efficiency and reliability of their production.

Immediately Operational Even After A Longer Pause

Today, the printing systems are in use on Radenska's filling lines, enhancing the company's flexibility. Thanks to the unique Sealtronic nozzle sealing technology, which prevents the nozzles from drying out, the printers are immediately ready for operation even after longer pauses. This is particularly beneficial during production changes or after holidays. The Sealtronic technology ensures that the printers resume production without delay and maintain consistent quality. This even applies to the long ink lines of up to six meters used in Radenska's production. Leibinger offers ink lines of up to 33 feet in length, providing significant flexibility in connecting and installing the devices in manufacturing.

Another advantage of the Leibinger printing systems is that the company produces its own inks. This allowed for the use of a special ink at Radenska, which dries very quickly despite the humid production conditions and adheres excellently to various products. The Jet2 neo CIJ printers effortlessly achieve the high production speeds and thus contribute to optimizing the entire production chain.

Satisfaction All Around

Vojko Arzenšek is pleased with the success of the tender and the positive feedback from Radenska: "The Leibinger printers have significantly reduced downtime and achieved the desired productivity increase in bottling. The ease of operation of the devices also minimizes the training effort for operating staff. Our customers are highly satisfied, as the inks offer excellent adhesion and the printers do exactly what they were designed to do: print reliably, simply and effectively."

With this successful implementation, Leibinger has once again demonstrated that its printing systems not only operate at the highest technical level but also meet the demands of challenging production environments. The partnership between Adheziv and Leibinger highlights the importance of reliability and quality for long-term success—values that both Radenska and other companies in the beverage industry greatly appreciate.

Transparency for semi-finished aluminum products 

Machine Authentication

Machine Operator Authentication - Why knowing "who" matters