In the Brohl Valley of Germany’s state of Rhineland-Palatinate, RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Getränke GmbH & Co. KG made history in 1977 as the first-ever mineral water bottling plant in Europe to use tinplate containers. This groundbreaking achievement, made possible by a system provided by Dortmund engineering company KHS, paved the way for over 25 years of success.
When Germany introduced a deposit for cans in 2003, the market initially suffered a decline. Despite this, RHODIUS, leading the way in canning, decided to continue investing in this segment and technology. To maximize its underutilized capacities, RHODIUS turned to contract filling. Within a few years, it successfully recovered its initial losses, with contract filling accounting for around 50% of its total output, reaching an impressive 90% for cans. RHODIUS serves both well-known and lesser-known brands, with nearly 100 clients and a portfolio of over 150 different products. To meet the growing demand, a second KHS line capable of filling up to 50,000 cans per hour was installed in 2016. Flexibility and hygiene are paramount, ensuring efficient product and format changeovers during filling and secondary packaging.
RHODIUS and KHS: 50 years of partnership
The beverage bottler from the volcanic hills of the Eifel and the engineering company from Dortmund have developed a close partnership spanning several decades. RHODIUS currently operates three KHS canning lines, as well as a PET, keg, BIB, and returnable glass line. Choosing a single technology partner is a strategic decision for RHODIUS, as KHS excels in project planning, installation, and commissioning. The ongoing operation benefits from KHS’ commitment to maximizing line availability. Working with a single supplier simplifies day-to-day operations for RHODIUS’ technical personnel, who benefit from uniform graphical user interfaces, similar machine functions, and a readily available supply of spare parts. The long-standing relationship between the two companies enhances communication, with KHS being intimately familiar with RHODIUS’ specific needs and requirements.
At the same time, KHS gains valuable insights from its innovative customer. RHODIUS serves as a testing ground for new ideas and further development of prototypes. Geographically, RHODIUS and KHS are also conveniently located, with Burgbrohl situated in close proximity to four of KHS’ five German plants: Dortmund, Bad Kreuznach, Kleve, and Worms. This proximity allows for easy reference showcasing when presenting projects to other beverage producers.