Krones terminates digital container printing due to low customer demand

19 Dec 2023 --- The Krones Group has chosen to cease its activities in the field of digital container decoration by the end of this year.

Although the group’s subsidiary Dekron has machines successfully up and running at various customers, the decision results from a review of Krones’ business strategy and the current market situation. 

Peter Moertl at Krones’ press relations department tells Packaging Insights that despite several projects, there was not enough demand or interest on the market. “After a careful review of our business strategy and considering the market situation, we decided to discontinue offering the technology.” 

Printing process
Dekron had informed its staff, customers, suppliers and business associates about the move in November. From 2024 onward, all of the service support required for existing lines will be provided by Krones’ expert service technicians.

Dekron has developed and manufactured machines from the DecoType series used for digitally decorating containers made of glass, PET and high-density PE since 2018, with the group’s subsidiary KIC Krones supplying the matching UV inks. 

Moertl says that the printing range for cylindrical containers was 30 degrees and up to 190 mm print height. “Structured surfaces could also be ‘printed,’ and tactile structures could be created on smooth surfaces. The color space was CMYK. The output was ranging from 5,000 to 36,000 containers per hour.”

The printing process consisted of the following steps: 

Phasing-out 
Krones has synergized in Dekron its development activities and the business operations of Till, Germany, in which the company has had a majority holding since 2014. 

The subsidiary will be liquidated effective December 31, and the facility in Kelkheim, Germany, was closed down as part of the phase-out. A reconciliation of interests has already been negotiated with all staff members.

In the past, Krones has realized several successful projects in the field of digital container decoration, asserts Moertl. “The main projects carried out were in the area of glass bottles. Despite several projects, there was not enough demand or interest on the market.”

By Natalie Schwertheim