Project: Kormotech, Lithuania

Loading, drying and unloading pet food pouches
Kormotech pouches
Location Kėdainiai, Lithuania
Pouch Hak Product Gusset pouch
Product handling Retorts Steriflow
USP In-line dryer

The challenge

To expand market share in Eastern Europe, Kormotech built a new factory in Lithuania.

 

This fast-growing Ukraine-based company producing wet pet food requested an automated solution for the loading, drying and unloading of their premium brands in pouch.

The challenge was to have a reliable system, suitable for a total capacity of 480 pouches per minute, where the allowable water residue had to be extremely low. Only then, the pouches could be packed directly in cardboard boxes without intermediate storage, which saves time and space.

The solution

Our solution is made of 3 robot loaders that efficiently form product layers as soon as the pouches come out of the filling machine in 4 lanes and are approved by an integrated check weigher.

 

A robot then picks up a full layer of flattened pouches from the formation belt and places them in a retort tray. To achieve the best possible heat process in the retorts, the trays had to be rotated alternately 180° during stacking. Once there is a complete stack, an operator transports the stack to the retort with a trolley.

Unloading and drying

After sterilisation the pouches need to be unloaded for further processing. To do so, 2 robot unloaders were installed. These unloaders work in reverse order. Trolleys with sterilised product are placed in the docking position. A robot picks-up a complete layer of pouches and moves them through the in-line dryer. After drying, the pet food pouches are placed on 2 single liner conveyors and transported directly towards a double infeed case packer.

  • arrow-checkmark20.000 tons of wet pet food production every year
  • arrow-checkmarkHandling capacity of 480 pouches per minute
  • arrow-checkmarkDrying results far below requested
  • arrow-checkmarkOnly 2 operators needed for manual transport to and from retorts

Due to Covid-19 and the travel restrictions, the installation and commissioning took place largely remotely.

 

Igor Paranyak, Chief Operating Officer at Kormotech: “At the end of 2019 we purchased Lan Handling automated equipment for the loading, drying and unloading of pet food pouches. It was a great challenge to organise the installation and commissioning during the Covid-19 situation. We had to hire a local company (ATC Baltic) that works in the field of robotic system integration in manufacturing processes. Lan Handling agreed to support the installation process remotely. The project was challenging but succesful. A good example of harmonious cooperation between companies when they face unexpected challenges.”

Facing unexpected challenges
"Due to the Covid-19 situation, Lan Handling had to support the installation process remotely. Despite this unexpected situation, Lan worked perfectly with a local party and we are satisfied with the result achieved."
Igor Paranyak, Chief Operating Officer
Facing unexpected challenges
"Due to the Covid-19 situation, Lan Handling had to support the installation process remotely. Despite this unexpected situation, Lan worked perfectly with a local party and we are satisfied with the result achieved."
Igor Paranyak, Chief Operating Officer

Due to Covid-19 and the travel restrictions, the installation and commissioning took place largely remotely.

 

Igor Paranyak, Chief Operating Officer at Kormotech: “At the end of 2019 we purchased Lan Handling automated equipment for the loading, drying and unloading of pet food pouches. It was a great challenge to organise the installation and commissioning during the Covid-19 situation. We had to hire a local company (ATC Baltic) that works in the field of robotic system integration in manufacturing processes. Lan Handling agreed to support the installation process remotely. The project was challenging but succesful. A good example of harmonious cooperation between companies when they face unexpected challenges.”


Can we help you? Please get in touch.

Thijs van Gerven - Lan Handling

Thijs van Gerven

Technical Sales Manager

Lan Tilburg

Our facility

Nieuwe Atelierstraat 9, Berkel-Enschot, The Netherlands