KHS USA to present systems at Pack Expo

KHS USA will present filling and packaging systems for the North American beverage industry at Pack Expo in Chicago. The US subsidiary of the filling and packaging specialist will focus on technologies intended to address ecological and economic challenges in the regional market. According to the company, demand in North America is increasingly shaped by the need for maximum flexibility combined with lower resource consumption. David Darbant, CSO of KHS USA, said: "In the modern beverage industry, the whole package counts more than ever before: packaging systems must balance efficiency, flexibility, sustainability and cost pressure." At the trade fair, KHS USA plans to demonstrate how its systems translate these requirements into operational advantages for beverage producers.

Holistic system expertise for a changing market

At its booth, KHS will focus on the interconnected line concept. As a turnkey supplier, the company will show how coordinated high-performance technologies can be combined to meet market requirements, including sustainable material use and higher efficiency.

One example of this integrated approach is the company’s Plasmax barrier technology. In this process, PET bottles receive a wafer-thin, glass-like interior coating that protects oxygen-sensitive products and can extend shelf life by a factor of up to ten. According to KHS, beverage producers can use the weight advantages of PET without compromising product quality. The company states that this can support more even utilization of production line capacities throughout the season, increase productivity and reduce product loss resulting from expired best-before dates. The system is also designed to support circular economy objectives, as the bottles remain 100% recyclable.

The KHS portfolio also includes Nature MultiPack. This packaging system joins beverage cans or PET containers using strategically placed dots of adhesive and a carrying handle to form a stable pack. Compared with conventional secondary packaging, the technology reduces the quantity of consumables needed by up to 85%. Despite the reduced use of material, the pack is designed to remain robust and to provide carrying convenience for consumers.

Smart services for maximum efficiency

KHS USA will also present services intended to support future-proof production. To help customers qualify their workforce, the mechanical engineering company has established its Virtual Training Center. The digital learning platform enables operators and engineers to access practical expert knowledge and best-practice examples in order to optimize daily processes on their lines, regardless of location. The system also includes playful elements intended to help less experienced users become familiar with machine operation in a simple and intuitive way.

KHS ConnectApp is another digital tool for production process transparency. The application brings together relevant machine information and technical documentation and provides secure direct access to service resources and operational support. According to the company, this gives line operators greater transparency, shorter response times and a basis for long-term workforce planning.

By focusing on intuitive digital tools and user-friendly machine designs, KHS is addressing what it describes as one of the most pressing challenges of the North American market, the shortage of skilled workers. Standardized operating concepts, self-explanatory graphical user interfaces and software-assisted troubleshooting are intended to reduce the training required for new personnel and help prevent downtime.

Local presence and long-term value creation in North America

In the context of stricter legislation on extended producer responsibility and tougher packaging regulations, KHS notes that material efficiency and weight reduction are gaining importance in the USA. With experience in blow molding, filling, labeling and packaging, the company says it helps customers align sustainability and cost-effectiveness across the value chain.

KHS USA is headquartered and operates a production plant in Waukesha, Wisconsin, supported by a regional network. "KHS resolutely invests in its local production, logistics and service infrastructure to maximize parts availability and the overall performance of customer lines," Darbant emphasized. "With our in-depth technical expertise and consistent mindset, we create cooperative partnerships on an equal footing and generate long-term added value on the North American market."

The KHS Group will present its systems and solutions at Pack Expo in Chicago, Illinois, USA, at Booth S-2114 from October 18 through 21, 2026.