Sternenfrucht Produktions GmbH & Co. KG is entering the world of aseptic beverage filling. The company, based in Liebenburg, central Germany, has opted for filling technology from SIG Combibloc.
Production has begun on the CFA 209 filling machine, and the first ‘star fruits’ (a play on the company’s name) are packaged in combiblocPremium. In the medium term, the company plans to switch its entire product range, previously filled by a co-packer in packages from a different manufacturer, to SIG Combibloc carton packs.
Reinhard Hartung, owner of Sternenfrucht: “With our own production operation, Sternenfrucht is now really taking off, and we’ll be able to demonstrate in practice our belief in innovation, pragmatism and readiness to take risks – the quintessence of our corporate philosophy”.
Sternenfrucht Produktions GmbH was established by the parent company Hartung Nahrungsmittel, which was founded more than 30 years ago and since then has been supplying high-quality convenience products for the gastronomy and corporate meal catering sectors, not only in Germany, but now also in neighbouring countries. Reinhard Hartung: “Investments always call for courage and idealism, but we’re confident that with our own manufacturing company we’ll be able to quickly and flexibly launch beverage concentrates that will be market winners. And a great fit with that is packaging that we believe can go the distance: the carton packs are eco-friendly, re-sealable, lightweight and unbreakable, and they stack well. That means, in terms of logistics as well, they have clear advantages over other types of packaging”.
Fabian Wissel, Managing Director of Sternenfrucht Produktions GmbH: “In SIG Combibloc, from the very beginning we’ve had an experienced and reliable partner by our side who has supported us in this project, which was a green-field venture in the truest sense of the word. We’re confident that with the flexible filling technology from SIG we’re getting the best advice. The machines leave us plenty of scope as far as products and volumes are concerned”.
Sternenfrucht plans to do more than package its own beverages on SIG Combibloc filling machines. As a co-packer, the company will also offer other food manufacturers the opportunity to have their products aseptically filled in carton packs, without having to invest in a filling machine of their own.
Thomas Nygren, Key Account Manager for Sternenfrucht at SIG Combibloc: “We’re delighted to have an ambitious and resourceful new customer on board, and we’re looking forward to the next ‘star fruits’”.
More info:
