Following the successful global market introduction of its resealable beverage can end two years ago, XOLUTION GmbH, headquartered in Munich, Germany, announces the next generation can end and a major increase of its production capacity for 2016 to meet the growing global demand for XO technology.
The XO system is a revolutionary solution for beverage cans that allows people to reseal a beverage can multiple times and enjoy it at their leisure. Unlike familiar beverage cans, which can only be opened once, XO equipped beverage cans have lids with an integrated plastic opening mechanism that allows the can to be re-closed and portioned for later consumption. When driving a car, doing sports, shopping, beverages stay perfectly fresh and carbonated, without spilling, dripping or allowing dirt and insects to go in the can!
The XO closure system is an innovative new product development for cans ranging from 200ml to 1.0 litre. Its “user friendly” opening mechanism works by simply pulling up an integrated open/closure strap, then sliding it backward for drinking and forward for closing. Resealed cans are pressure stable and entirely gas as well as liquid tight. A tamper-proof seal, that covers and secures the opening strap, breaks when initially opened, guaranteeing consumers that the can has never been previously opened. XO’s high flow rate adds to a fully new drinking experience. Re-sealable XO ends are suitable for a variety of products and can be processed on existing filling lines without modification of the same or capital investment.
Marc von Rettberg, CEO of XOLUTION, comments: “It took us more than four years of intense R&D to develop and finish the current XO re-sealable end design to withstand even the toughest demands on a beverage can. We are confident that the current XO end has all the credentials to be a game changer for brands and the beverage can industry. Consumers are just waiting to take their favorite canned beverage anywhere they want to go.”
New features of the next generation include less and even thinner plastic parts to achieve a reduction of the total weight as well as of the stacking height of the XO ends. State-of-the-art plastic technologies are incorporated to increase heat resistance during the filling process to support high-temperature pasteurization and hot-fill. Shelf life of filled beverage cans with XO ends is expected to be between 12 to 18 months. Furthermore, the next generation of XO ends will support new-generation shell profiles for the diameter 202 such as CDL(R), SuperEnd(R) and OLOF(R). Production capacity for diameter 200, 204, 206 and 209 is also in preparation for 2017. In addition, the new XO ends will have an increased flow/pour rate and a new flexible two-step opening & locking mechanism to increase product safety and guarantee an easy handling by the consumer. XO ends are available not only in standard black but also in any custom color according to customer’s preference.
To meet the growing demand for XO ends from both global and regional beverage brands around the world, XOLUTION is increasing its production capacity to 400 million units annually, scheduled for January 2016. XOLUTION is committed to further increasing production capacity based on global demand, either by its own efforts or through its global production-licensing partners around the world.
Nigel Garrard, Managing Director and Chief Executive of ORORA Limited, and XOLUTION’s exclusive distribution partner in Australia and New Zealand, states: “The XO resealable can end offers our customers significant benefits and opportunities. XO is compatible with most existing filling lines currently on the market, requires little to no line changes or capital investments, and its slim line design means no change to the amount of liquid in the can. With its drop-in concept, the XO ends can be used side-by-side and in conjunction with existing SOT/LOE lines and require no reduction in filling speeds.”
XOLUTION GmbH was founded in 2003. The company is majority funded by Inventages (one of the world’s largest life-sciences, nutrition and wellness focused venture capital firms) and now has sales/representative offices in the U.S.A., People’s Republic of China and in Russia/Baltics to drive the company’s aggressive expansion plans.
CDL(R), SuperEnd(R), OLOF(R), Tetrapak(R) are registered trademarks by their respective owners and are copyright protected. XO(R) is a registered trademark of XOLUTION GmbH. All rights reserved.
For press contacts on behalf of XOLUTION and the XO closure system or tel: +49-(89)-62-83-299-0
