This project reaffirms a collaboration that began in 2021 and has been consolidated by previous installations, including the high-speed VEGA HT100 shrink wrapping machine (100 cycles per minute) commissioned in 2018 at the Curitiba plant, as well as several Robopac Systems wrappers that have been operating at the Itabirito plant for about ten years.
The supply involved two complete end-of-line systems (one for cans and one for PET), designed to handle a highly challenging production environment in terms of speed, efficiency, and continuous operation. More than a simple supply of machinery, this initiative marks a further step in a well-established partnership built on reliability, a shared vision, and a global presence.
The solutions included in the lines are: Dorado HMC, VEGA 100 VA, VEGA HT High-Speed Shrink Wrap Packer, Mizar, and Orion HM (a decisive factor in the client's choice), all branded OCME. On the wrapping machine side, the installation includes several of the Group’s flagship models — among the fastest and most reliable on the market — all under the Robopac brand: Genesis Futura 40, Genesis Cube and Genesis Thunder HS, whose load-stabilisation, material-saving and protection features enhance the high performance of the upstream equipment supplied by OCME. The project further optimises integration and synergy between the machines, maximising their combined performance at every stage of the line. The Cans Line reaches a speed of 128,000 containers per hour and provides a complete system, from can depalletising through to final palletising and wrapping. The technological core of the line is an ultra-high-speed shrink wrapping machine operating in a 3x2 triple-track setup at 150 cycles per minute, equivalent to 450 packs per minute. The distinctive feature of this configuration is the high-speed palletising system, a key factor in the client’s decision: a single solution that ensures precision, load stability and consistent performance even at the highest production rates.
The PET Line, with a capacity of 50,000 bottles per hour, follows the same design philosophy: maximum integration between packaging, layer forming, palletising and automatic wrapping. In both lines, each configuration has been designed and customised to reflect the specific production characteristics of the plant, underscoring the tailor-made approach that defines the Group’s activities.
Among the aspects most appreciated by Femsa-Itabirito are “the very high overall speed of the lines, the uniqueness of the palletising system, and the capacity to customise each solution based on actual operational needs. These features translate into long-term reliability, smooth operations, and future scalability."
Aetna Group regards the beverage sector as one of its most strategic markets and an area in which it has extensive international experience. This consolidated expertise enables the Group to precisely fine-tune its end-of-line systems, ensuring load stability and the use of technologies that are capable of handling typically fragile products such as cans and PET bottles, while delivering high performance on large-scale production volumes. A know-how that translates into reliable, high-speed solutions, perfectly integrated into the processes of the world’s leading beverage producers.
Case studies
Packaging innovation and efficiency: Refresco italia's transformation with the Aetna Group
The collaboration between Refresco and the Aetna Group has led to remarkable results in the optimisation of packaging and wrapping lines. The introduction of OCME and Robopac technology solutions has significantly improved operational efficiency, stabilised pallets, reduced bottle wear and optimised bottle reuse.
