First ErgoBloc L for the Ivory Coast

At the Société Moderne de Limonaderie de Côte d’Ivoire (SML CI), growth and change have never been abstract goals but everyday reality ever since the company was founded. Steeped in tradition, the family firm from Abidjan is now in its third generation of leadership and has purposefully been upsizing its production capacities over recent years, relying on Krones technology right from the start.

SML CI started off as a plastics processor, specialising in the manufacture of preforms. Its debut on the beverage market marked the beginning of a success story in which the company has become an important producer of soft drinks, energy drinks and water in the Ivory Coast.

Rising demand calls for increased capacity

Two PET lines from Krones, each rated at 35,000 containers per hour, had already been put into operation back in 2019 and 2022. But their output is no longer enough to match SML CI’s continuous growth. Demand for the company’s drinks is tremendous, especially during the peak seasons from November to January and from April to June. In order to make sure its production operation remains flexible and efficient, SML CI decided to buy another bottling line from Krones.

Article 43440 — Two PET lines from Krones are already up and running at SML CI. Image credits: SML CI

Partnership of equals

That is not surprising. The company’s collaboration with Krones started when SML CI took its first steps into the beverage market. Krones has been a dependable partner providing not only know-how and expertise but also fast service support through its facilities in Lagos (Nigeria) and Casablanca (Morocco). “We have once again placed our trust in Krones, following our positive experience in project design – from the early recommendation stage through to final project execution – as well as the close after-sales support provided by the Morocco-based service center,” says Nader Sayegh, Managing Director at SML CI.

Each of the existing lines includes a Contiform Bloc for stretch blow-moulding and filling the PET bottles. Image credits:
SML CI
The containers are then labelled in a Contiroll machine. Image credits:
SML CI

More output achieved in the same space

SML CI is again relying on Krones block technology for its third PET line. However, this time the decision-makers did not go for another blow-moulder/filler block but instead for an ErgoBloc L, their first wet-end block. Rated at 55,000 containers per hour, it significantly exceeds the outputs of the existing lines and has a small footprint into the bargain. Its space-saving design integrates the processes of stretch blow-moulding, labelling, filling and capping in a single block. That is a real game-changer for SML CI since it provides massive increases in production volume while simultaneously minimising space requirements. “Due to our fast-growing business, we were facing space constraints that limited our ability to install additional capacity“, explains Nader Sayegh. “The ErgoBloc was the ideal solution to avoid major civil engineering investments. In addition, the line speed was increased from 35,000 to 55,000 bottles per hour on a single stock keeping unit – a crucial step to ensure maximum productivity in an increasingly competitive market.”

SML CI is signposting the way not only in terms of technology but for its geographical region, too, since its ErgoBloc L is the first of its kind in all of Northwest and Western Africa. Moreover, the new line has been purpose-built for digital solutions, thus making any future production optimisation a whole lot easier and providing SML CI with the best possible footing for further growth. It is scheduled to go into operation in early 2026 and expected to help the company take the next step on the ladder of success. The collaboration with the Krones Group will also continue into the future: SML CI recently ordered a PET line for edible oil from Kosme.