With the installation of an aseptic filling line, the Dreher Group has significantly expanded its service offering. Long known as a supplier of fruit-based raw and semi-finished products, the company now also provides aseptic co-packing services in carton packaging.
This development is enabled by an integrated solution from Elopak that combines filling technology, packaging flexibility and hands-on technical support.
A new chapter in the value chain
The Dreher Group, based in Stockach on Lake Constance, has been a trusted partner to the food and beverage industry for decades. The family‑owned company processes fruit into NFC juices, concentrates and fruit purées, and has expanded its portfolio in recent years to include plant‑based products. For many years, the company’s core business focused on supplying raw and semi‑finished ingredients to other manufacturers.
As part of its growth strategy, Dreher established oat processing capabilities in 2024. Since plant‑based products have limited opportunities as semi‑finished goods and carton packaging is the established packaging format within this category, the company decided to invest in its own aseptic filling capacity. As a result, Dreher can now offer brand owners and private‑label customers both ingredient expertise and filling services from a single source. The investment also creates a platform for future growth opportunities.
Finding the right partner
Selecting the right partner was not a straightforward decision. Dreher evaluated several carton packaging suppliers before making its choice. Initial contact with Elopak was established in 2024.
Ultimately, the deciding factors were the combination of filling technology, packaging solutions and personal collaboration. Within a short period, the Dreher team gained extensive insight into Elopak’s operations through visits to the machinery facility in Mönchengladbach, production facilities in Terneuzen and a customer site running the technology in a live production environment. These experiences helped build confidence in the overall concept.
Beyond the technical aspects, company culture also played an important role. As a family‑owned business, Dreher was looking for a partner that could operate quickly, flexibly and pragmatically. The company saw these qualities as key strengths of Elopak.
Long‑term packaging flexibility was another important consideration, enabling the company to respond to changing market requirements. In the juice category, which represents the majority of Dreher’s production volume, the Pure‑Pak® carton is already well established. For aseptic oat drinks, its distinctive shape also offers an opportunity to differentiate products and position them in the premium segment. The large printable surface provides ample space for unique brand designs. In addition, the Pure‑Pak® eSense carton offers an aseptic packaging solution featuring a polymer‑based barrier instead of an aluminium layer. This option was an important factor in Dreher’s decision‑making process.
More than a filling machine
At the heart of the project is Elopak’s E‑PS120AH aseptic filling machine. Technical specifications such as a capacity of up to 12,000 cartons per hour, pack sizes ranging from 500 ml to 1,000 ml and compatibility with multiple Pure‑Pak® formats only tell part of the story.
The new line allows Dreher to fill a wide variety of beverage products on a single platform and respond flexibly to customer requirements. It creates opportunities beyond fruit juices and enables the company to serve additional aseptic beverage categories. At the same time, the available range of formats makes it possible to efficiently support both branded products and private‑label projects.
The line’s flexibility is particularly valuable when changing packaging designs or decorations. Because it operates with pre‑printed carton blanks, a new carton design can be loaded and the machine adjusted at the touch of a button. Product changeovers that require cleaning or sterilisation can be planned efficiently, helping to minimise downtime and maintain cost‑effective production even when customer requirements vary.
For a co‑packer, this flexibility is essential. Different customers, pack designs and product concepts can all be produced economically on the same line. For Dreher, the E‑PS120AH is therefore far more than a new piece of production equipment. It enables the company to build an entirely new business model.
Delivered through partnership
The collaboration extended far beyond supplying the filling machine itself. Dreher invested in a complete production line, including upstream and downstream equipment, while Elopak coordinated all involved partners and supported the project from planning through commissioning and into commercial operation.
The fact that the line was commercially producing just one week after start‑up was the result of close cooperation between the two teams. Dreher contributed its own programmers, welders and technical specialists to the project, allowing many tasks to be completed directly and without additional service providers. Short decision‑making processes and a shared commitment to practical solutions accelerated the entire implementation.
The close partnership continued after production started. This includes structured training programs for operators and maintenance personnel as well as hands‑on production support directly on site. The objective is to embed knowledge within the organization and help employees build confidence in day‑to‑day operations.
Dreher highlights this partnership‑driven approach as one of the key success factors of the project. The relationship goes beyond the delivery of machinery and focuses on developing long‑term filling expertise together.
New opportunities for brands and private label
Today, the line is already producing for both branded manufacturers and private‑label customers. The current focus is on fruit juices packed in Pure‑Pak® Sense Aseptic cartons, while additional packaging formats are gradually being introduced. Production currently operates on a two‑shift basis and is continuing to expand.
At the same time, new product concepts and projects are already taking shape. One particularly exciting opportunity is the combination of regional raw materials with packaging solutions such as the aluminium‑free Pure‑Pak® eSense carton. An upcoming project provides an example of this approach. Together with a retail partner, the Dreher Group is developing an apple juice sourced from traditional orchard meadows in Baden‑Württemberg. The product is planned to be packed in an aluminium‑free Pure‑Pak® eSense carton featuring natural brown board. The concept combines regional sourcing and innovative packaging to create a differentiated market offering.
Customers also benefit from the close cooperation between Dreher and Elopak when launching new packaging designs. From the technical validation of artwork files through to final approval, new pack designs are supported jointly by both companies.
Ready for the next step
The new filling line complements Dreher’s existing expertise in fruit processing and raw materials with flexible aseptic co‑packing capabilities in carton packaging. The facility layout has already been designed to accommodate a second Elopak filling machine in the future. As a result, the project is more than just a production upgrade. It establishes the foundation for continued growth with brand owners and retail partners alike.
