E-Malt.com News article: Germany: Rapak and Ankerbrau Brewery developed Bag-in-Box packaging system for beer

World leading supplier of bag-in-box packaging and filling systems, Rapak, has developed a new Bag-in-Box system for beer. The new Bag-In-Box system was pioneered in partnership with Nordlingen, Bavaria, -based Ankerbrau Brewery, Packaging & Converting Essentials released November 27. The new technology, which is suitable for all types of beers, offers a low-cost alternative to the traditional keg and is especially beneficial for export.

Until now, beer for on-trade sales has been packed and transported in stainless steel kegs, from which it is then dispensed. However, the size and weight of each keg makes transport costs extremely high. Furthermore, all kegs have to be returned for re-use and, in addition to the transport costs involved, many kegs are lost in transit – as much as 30% in Eastern Europe. These factors have restricted the export potential for many breweries.

The Bag-in-Box alternative offers a number of advantages: lower transport costs (Bag-in-Box beer contains 9hl compared to a 5.4hl keg), no return costs, a longer shelf life than the usual three days after opening for the keg and a firmer, longer-lasting foam on the beer. The taste and quality of the product is not compromised in any way. Shortages of kegs that often occur due to the seasonality of the beer market can also be avoided.

The ability to pack beer in Bag-in-Box has been made possible by the removal of CO2 from the beer after brewing. The CO2 is then reintroduced into the beer via a specially developed Carbonator Box, which is placed in each on-trade outlet between the Bag-in-Box and the pump head. This new system can be used in all outlets that currently use the keg system.

Ankerbrau is the first brewery to implement the new Bag-in-Box technology for its beer exports.

“We now have the potential to market our traditionally brewed, speciality beers worldwide,” commented Florian Koch of Ankerbrau.

Rapak has business in UK, France, Germany, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand and China.


29 November, 2006