German steel group Salzgitter is considering a sale of its filling and bottling equipment division KHS, valued at up to EUR 1bn (USD 1.1bn), as it seeks funds to restructure its steel business. A strategic review of KHS is planned in the coming weeks and private equity firms are seen as possible bidders.
Why this mattersA sale would put one of the largest independent bottling-line makers into new hands, reshaping competition in filling and packing machinery for beverage and food producers.
- Salzgitter is reviewing options to sell KHS GmbH for up to EUR 1bn (USD 1.1bn).
- KHS, based in Dortmund, makes bottling lines for glass and PET bottles, kegs and cans.
- Salzgitter management plans a strategic review of KHS operations in the coming weeks.
- Proceeds would help fund restructuring of Salzgitter's steel business, including a possible mill closure in which it holds a 30% stake.
- Salzgitter's market value is about EUR 1.38bn.
- The review follows a failed attempt by shareholders GP Günter Papenburg and TSR Recycling to raise their stake to 45% plus one share.
German beverage producer Rhodius Mineralquellen and machinery maker KHS have converted an existing filling line at Burgbrohl, Germany to handle resealable aluminium bottles, restoring output to 50,000 containers per hour. The nine-month conversion, completed with commissioning in July 2026, marks the first use of this high-performance format on a high-speed line in Germany. Rhodius is launching a 400ml water bottle and a Halloween special edition of its Bluna brand in the new format, with further product launches planned for year-end.
Why this mattersA first high-speed German line for resealable aluminium bottles could open a new RTD packaging format in Europe, where the technology remains rare outside Japan.
- The conversion took about nine months with production continuing, and commissioning took place in July 2026.
- The converted line runs at up to 50,000 containers per hour, the output of the canning line it replaced.
- Rhodius imports the aluminium bottles pre-painted from Japan, as no European manufacturer currently makes them.
- Rhodius installed KHS's Innofill Glass DNRF long-tube filler in place of a conventional dosing filler.
- Further new equipment includes the KHS Innopal AS 1 HZ, the Innoket Neo labelling machine and the Innocheck LIS label inspection system.
- Rhodius decided in 2025 to add aluminium screw-top bottles; it is a contract filler for the Bluna and afri cola brands and runs six KHS lines.
- The rebuilt line is now filling Rhodius's own water brand and a special-edition Bluna drink.
- Rhodius operates six KHS lines in total, covering cans, kegs, glass and PET bottles.
- Further product launches and brand partnerships on the new line are planned.
KHS has extended its Innopack Kisters TSP Advanced packaging system with BottleClip Carrier, a cardboard handle option that forms multipacks of PET bottles without plastic carrying rings. The module was presented at Interpack in May 2026 and can be retrofitted to existing Advanced-series machines. The first equipped unit was due to be supplied to the United States in mid-2026.
Why this mattersThe launch gives bottlers a plastic-handle alternative as more jurisdictions restrict plastic carrying rings, while cutting energy use by removing shrink-tunnel steps.
- BottleClip Carrier forms multipacks of two, four, six or eight PET bottles, plus mixed variety packs.
- Output reaches up to 4,800 packs per hour.
- The system handles virgin PET or PET containing up to 100% recyclate, including lightweight containers.
- The first Innopack Kisters TSP Advanced with the cardboard handle option was due to ship to the United States in mid-2026.
- Applying the cardboard by rotating wheel removes the shrink-tunnel heating step, cutting energy consumption.
- The option can be retrofitted to existing Advanced-series machines where technical requirements are met.
