A new "monobloc" unit from Krones is marketed towards those processors and beverage brand owners who do not need the full output of a large rotary stretch blowmolding unit and filling line. Called Synchroblock and made and marketed by Krones' Kosme subsidiary, the new unit is good for blowing and filling up to 8000 containers an hour.

Krones (Neutraubling, Germany) acquired Kosme in 2002. Krones makes stretch blowmolding machinery and filling equipment, plus other beverage bottling machinery, for high-output lines; acquiring Kosme gave it access to technology for lower-output blowing and filling lines.

The Synchroblock marries Kosme's stretch blowmolding technology to Kosme's filling technology, without having to use any air conveyors. As a result, operating costs are reduced, as is energy and water consumption, and the unit's layout is less complex. Also, says the manufacturer, the changeover times are shorter and maintenance costs in general drop. The Synchroblock can be used for soft drinks, still water, and beer alike.

The blowmolding machine used can process containers sized from 0.1-3.0L. There is an option for fitting the blowmolder with an air recycling system. The containers are passed via a transfer table to the isobaric filler.