Bottling Lines

What does a bottling line include?

A bottling line connects the operations needed to prepare containers, fill the product, apply closures and deliver the required finished packaging. Its boundaries depend on the application. PET bottle production, returnable-bottle washing, product preparation and pallet handling may be included in a proposal or provided by separate equipment.

Establish an equipment list and a process layout at the start. For each operation, record the proposed machine, formats, connections, required services and responsibility for installation. This defines how the line will fit the factory and the production plan.

Beverage equipment and bottling plant scope

A beverage plant brief can extend beyond the filling line. Define where product preparation ends and filling begins, then list any filtration, mixing, carbonation, thermal treatment or cleaning equipment required. A mixer combines ingredients according to the specified recipe; a carbonator introduces carbon dioxide; a CIP system serves the circuits included in its cleaning scope. Confirm the proposed process and interfaces for each unit.

State liquid throughput in litres per hour, the required product conditions and the cleaning circuits to be served. Review tanks, pumps, connections, utilities and controls alongside the container line. A product pasteuriser upstream of filling and a tunnel pasteuriser treating filled containers occupy different positions in the process. A container warmer or dryer addresses another task again. Specify the intended operation and treatment conditions in the proposal.

Use one equipment schedule to show the proposed beverage production equipment, filling section and packing section, including what the factory already provides. This makes a bottling plant enquiry precise enough to assess a complete installation or a targeted equipment replacement.

Write a production specification that engineers can use

• Product: beverage or liquid, carbonation, filling temperature, pulp or particles and the required processing and cleaning arrangements.
• Container: glass, PET or can, dimensioned drawings, volumes, neck finish or can-end specification and relevant handling requirements.
• Closure and label: closure drawings or samples, label material, application method, dimensions and position.
• Production: target output for each format, planned operating hours, batch sizes and changeover frequency.
• Packaging: bottles or cans per pack, case or film specification, pallet pattern and downstream handling.
• Factory: installation country, available space, utility data, access constraints and intended production date.

Review the filling process and container path

Cold filling, hot filling and aseptic filling represent different process configurations. Define the process needed for your product before comparing equipment. For carbonated beverages, include the required product conditions and carbonation specification in the brief. For products containing pulp or particles, provide the characteristics needed to assess the offered filling system.

For PET, establish whether bottle blowing is integrated with filling and capping or connected through separate equipment. For glass, specify new or returnable containers and their preparation requirements. For cans, assess the filler and seamer against the can body and end specifications together.

Canning, carton and brick packaging routes

For can formats, use our canning lines and machines guide to define the can body, end, filling and seaming requirements. The downstream brief should specify packs, cases and pallet handling; our packaging equipment guide covers these operations.

Carton and brick filling systems require their own package and process specification. Provide the package family, dimensions, material, closure and required filling conditions. Aseptic and chilled applications require different process arrangements; assess the documented configuration and product requirements together. Explore our used carton and brick line category and used Tetra Pak machinery listings. Tetra Pak identifies equipment from that manufacturer; carton or brick describes a packaging format. Confirm the actual model, package formats, condition and current availability in the individual offer.

Find application guidance for your beverage

Specify the beverage and required process before choosing equipment. Explore these used application guides for product and packaging requirements:

• Water: distinguish still and carbonated water, then define PET, glass or cans, volumes, filling conditions and closures. Used water application guide.
• Wine: specify still or sparkling wine, bottle geometry, filling conditions and the required cork or cap configuration. Used wine application guide.
• Beer: provide carbonation and filling requirements, plus bottle and crown-cap specifications or can body and end details for seaming. Used beer application guide.
• Soft drinks and energy drinks: define still or carbonated recipes, filling temperature, containers, closures and required packing formats. Used CSD application guide.

Connect machine capacity with the finished-pack target

Specify capacity on a common basis across the proposal: product, container size, closure and pack format. Distinguish the individual machine ratings from the production target for the connected line. Include transfer arrangements, accumulation, format changes and the operating assumptions used for the proposed output.

For example, 18,000 bottles per hour in six-bottle packs corresponds to 3,000 packs per hour before production losses. The packer specification and downstream handling must be assessed against that flow. Keep both units visible in the equipment schedule.

Record each section in its own capacity unit: liquid preparation or product treatment in litres per hour, filling in bottles or cans per hour, shrink wrapping in packs per minute, case equipment in cases per hour and pallet handling in the layers or pallets per hour specified for the machine. Convert these figures using the actual pack and pallet patterns. Also record the conditions and format behind each rating.

New European OEM equipment and used lines

For new equipment from European OEMs, review the proposed model, configuration, options, technical documents and delivery scope. Record the formats covered, the specified operating conditions and any optional equipment in the quotation. Discuss future formats during the specification stage.

For used lines, assess the installed configuration, documented formats, current condition, available tooling and any proposed work. Our used bottling lines guide explains the information useful for comparing existing systems. Apply the same production brief when assessing either route.

Compose a line around the production plan and budget

Elitekno can compose a line from individually sourced machines, including equipment available through consignment. A project can also combine new European OEM equipment with used units. The configuration starts with the production brief: identify each operation, establish the capacity and format requirements, then review the equipment and connections as one system.

Our technical consultancy helps select suitable equipment and define where adaptation, additional tooling or a different configuration is needed. Discuss the project budget and priorities early so that the proposal can allocate equipment, integration work and services to the required production result.

Plan interfaces, utilities and acceptance

A line layout should show equipment positions, conveyor direction and height, product connections, access and maintenance space. The controls scope should identify communication between machines and responsibilities for the integrated operation.

Review documented electrical supply, compressed-air flow and pressure, water, cooling and any thermal-service requirements. Identify the auxiliaries included in the offer and the services required at the destination.

If acceptance testing is part of the proposal, agree the products, containers, closures and pack formats to be used. Define the measurements, run conditions and documentation for factory or site testing. Record the installation, start-up and operator-support scope separately.

Coordinate transfer, overhaul and production start-up

Elitekno coordinates worldwide transport and the associated documentation, including CMR where applicable. Professional packing can be planned for sea-container shipments, with moisture and corrosion precautions specified for the equipment, route and storage conditions. Agree the dismantling, identification of connections, packing, loading and destination responsibilities in the project quotation.

Complete machinery or line overhauls and commissioning can be arranged to an agreed technical scope. List the work on each unit, replacement or format parts, reassembly and start-up activities. Technical support is coordinated through our network according to the project. Where an investment also releases existing equipment, discuss an on-site visit, valuation, consignment and space solutions as part of the production transition.

Frequently asked questions

Should the line use one equipment manufacturer?

Assess the proposed equipment and interfaces as a system. Identify who coordinates the mechanical connections, controls and project responsibilities, whether the proposal contains one manufacturer or several.

Can I expand an existing bottling line?

Start with the current process, format list, layout and output data. A defined expansion may involve individual bottling machines, additional packaging equipment or a broader change to the production system.

A coordinated project from selection to start-up

For a new, used or mixed line, define the machinery supply and the service package together. Elitekno can coordinate the agreed sourcing, assessment, dismantling where applicable, professional packing, loading and worldwide transport. Unloading, installation and commissioning are arranged on request with separately agreed charges.

A visit can be discussed for shortlisted equipment. The reservation deposit is specified in the order confirmation; the balance and subsequent project stages follow the contract. Before each phase, the team confirms responsibilities and site arrangements with you, whether your own contractors or Elitekno’s requested services carry out the work. Explore the purchase and project coordination process.

Send your bottling line brief to Elitekno

Send the product and packaging specifications, format list, target output, factory layout, destination, budget and project timing. State whether you wish to discuss new European OEM equipment, used equipment or both. Dismantling, logistics, installation and start-up support can be requested, with scope and charges agreed separately.

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