Lightweight Containers (www.keykeg.com) has launched the first member of a new generation of KeyKegs: the cylindrical KeyKeg20. The new one-way keg owes its unique characteristics to an invention called the Double Wall™ technology, which surrounds the bag containing the beverage. This latest addition to the KeyKeg family will be available starting in Q1 2013.
Applying the Double Wall technology has resulted in a cylinder inside a cylinder. Its two walls work together dynamically, giving the KeyKeg resistance to higher internal pressures and extreme low deformation at high pressures. Even soft drinks, stouts and other highly carbonated beverages can be filled in the new KeyKeg.
Like its predecessors, the KeyKeg20 houses a flexible multi-layered inner bag, which contains the beer, wine or soft drink. The content is dispensed by pressurizing the space between the bag and the ball. The beverage maintains best drinking conditions as it does not come into contact with the propellant gas when it is dispensed.
The new one-way kegs will be extremely resistant to external influences. They withstand very high temperatures during transport in hot climates and moisture has no effect on them. Being especially resistant to damage from outside, this KeyKeg is even safer to use. It is also good news for the environment: More than half (54%) of the KeyKeg’s shell is made from recycled PET, while the grip consists of 100% recycled PP.
The cylindrical shape provides improved logistical qualities. Now 80 cylindrical KeyKeg20 units fit on one pallet. This shape combined with its low weight mean that 65% less transport is needed for the cylindrical KeyKeg compared to steel and other kegs.
The new design is an explicit reflection of its users’ needs. The new KeyKeg has an ergonomic grip, it is lightweight and extremely stable. It also takes up even less space than its predecessor and fits easily in existing cooling cabinets.
The fully automated production line in Den Helder, the Netherlands, has a capacity of 400 KeyKegs per hour.
“The current KeyKeg is already a quality leader in this market. The fact that we’ve decided to introduce a new generation of KeyKegs has everything to do with our vision for the future. We think in terms of the total supply chain. We are only happy if the bar keeper, distributor and beverage producer are happy too. Hundreds of companies in the total supply chain in 45 countries have asked us a lot and taught us a lot. The result is the cylindrical KeyKeg20!” says Jan Veenendaal, CEO of Lightweight Containers.
“We have worked continuously for two years to develop the Double Wall technology and the cylindrical KeyKeg20. We wanted to make a cylindrical keg for a long time, but we couldn’t get it to meet our high requirements for deformation, resistance to damage and high internal pressure. Newly developed PET-processing technologies like laser cutting and ultrasonic welding suddenly brought the cylindrical shape within our reach. This enabled us to fulfill all the wishes of the entire supply chain in the design of this KeyKeg,” says Bert Hanssen, R&D director of Lightweight Containers.
