Precision, hygiene and efficiency are more important than ever in the food and beverage industry. Choosing the right technology can make the difference between operational success and expensive inefficiencies. That’s why Molenaar has placed strategic focus on a key innovation in their filling portfolio: Anefill.

Molenaar, founded in 1949 and now run by third-generation Managing Director Stefan Molenaar, has a long and trusted legacy of serving Southern Africa and beyond with world-class manufacturing and engineering solutions. As part of their strategy, Molenaar recognised the need to focus on solutions that bring the most value to their clients. Anefill represents a clear step forward in beverage filling technology.

The heart of the production line

While many components make up a complete production line, few are as crucial as the filler. According to Molenaar, the filling and closing stage is the heartbeat of any filling line. Beverages like beer, cider, iced teas and juices rely heavily on reliable, hygienic filling systems and this is where Anefill shines.

Anefill forms a core part of Molenaar’s strategy to deliver solutions across five critical points: bulk handling (starting with de-palletizing), filling and closing, in-container-processing, end-of-line packaging, and palletizing. Molenaar’s Packaging Equipment division made a strategic shift several years ago to focus specifically on rigid packaging – PET, glass and cans – and the decision has paid off. Anefill’s technology complements this direction with a strong combination of innovation, adaptability and user-oriented design.

Versatile, accurate and built for speed

One of the key differentiators of Anefill is its ability to handle a wide range of beverages and viscosities, including beer, carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), cocktails, wine, sparkling wine, and carbonated water, as well as hot fill applications for natural juices.

Equipped with electro-pneumatically controlled filling valves, Anefill offers high repeatability and accuracy. The system supports several filling technologies, from vent-tube level filling to volume-based and conductivity probe-level filling, all optimised to match customer needs. In short, it brings flexibility without compromising precision.

Efficiency meets innovation

In terms of performance, Anefill goes beyond expectations. Its ability to fill at ambient temperatures eliminates the need for can warmers in certain applications, saving significantly on both energy consumption and upfront capital investment. For both smaller companies and high-throughput facilities, this benefit can’t be overstated.

This was particularly evident during a recent installation for a leading South African energy drinks brand. Molenaar used Anefill to deliver an advanced solution capable of filling 40,000 cans per hour at 20°C, bypassing the need for post-fill warming. The client benefited from reduced operational costs and initial capital investment without sacrificing output.

Built for hygiene, designed for integration

Hygiene, maintenance and waste reduction are all critical factors in modern food and beverage filling environments. Anefill’s all-in-one filling solutions for cans, glass and PET are designed with these principles in mind. Backed by Molenaar’s local support and service capabilities, these machines are expertly maintained and built for long-term reliability.

Integration into existing lines is seamless. Anefill machines can either replace single-format machines or upgrade existing lines to run multiple formats – for example, glass and cans on a single machine. With speeds ranging from 4,000 to 60,000 containers per hour, this scalability ensures it suits operations of every size.

Where is the industry headed?

Molenaar has noted a significant increase in demand for can filling solutions, particularly within the Southern African market. As consumer preferences evolve and canned beverage products continue to trend upward, manufacturers are looking for reliable solutions that deliver sustained efficiency and long-term savings. Anefill’s technology, speed and temperature flexibility help manufacturers achieve this by reducing ongoing operational costs, while boosting production capacity – making it an ideal partner.

What makes Anefill stand out is not only its engineering quality but also the people behind it. As a privately owned company, Anefill prides itself on responsiveness and customisation. Paired with Molenaar’s expert team of technicians and long-standing relationships across the industry, the partnership delivers real, measurable results.

Filling with confidence

With Anefill, Molenaar continues its tradition of innovation and excellence by offering the industry the tools they need to grow, adapt and succeed. Whether launching a new product or upgrading existing lines, customers can trust that they’re not only investing in a machine, but partnering with a company that truly understands their needs.