28/10/2025
Handled with care
Robot-based bottle packaging
Author: Markus Vogelmann, Sales Account Manager, Gerard Schubert GmbH
It is hard to resist the appeal of glass: the material combines many attributes that make for outstanding packaging, not least due to its shiny finish and firm structure. No wonder beverage manufacturers rely on it to market premium drinks like champagne, sparkling wine and spirits. As versatile as glass is, as demanding it proves during packaging operations. Robot-based systems help manufacturers meet several requirements at once in a highly flexible manner – and on limited floor space.
Whoever has served champagne or other fine beverages has, in many cases, handled true design objects. Manufacturers take pride in developing product packaging with a premium touch, from the colour and shape of the bottles to artfully crafted labels and lavishly decorated secondary packaging. The bottles themselves, as well as sleeves or cases, need to be carefully handled to prevent glass breakage and damage to the secondary packaging. This proves vital not only for marketing reasons: defective packaging could potentially affect the beverages and consumer health.
As if that were not enough, consumer preferences and market trends are pushing manufacturers to reinvent their packaging constantly, whether in terms of materials, pack, or bottle sizes. Premium consumers, for instance, increasingly demand eco-friendly packaging, including recyclable materials, lightweight glass, or sustainable production methods¹. Besides distinctive, artisanal packaging that tells a story, they also favour small-batch, limited releases that create exclusivity².
Standing out at the point of sale requires manufacturers not only to use refillable bottles or biodegradable labels, but to package products differently within short times. Consequently, large packaging lines are increasingly being replaced by more compact and highly versatile systems designed for small batches. This is particularly true given that limited floor space and tight budgets call for economically viable solutions. MEHR DAZU: https://www.harnisch-digital.de/bb-guide-beverage-brewing-2025-2026/70709360