PT Multi Bintang Indonesia Tbk (Multi Bintang Indonesia), part of The HEINEKEN Company, is one of Indonesia’s leading and most trusted beverage companies. With 95 years of brewing heritage in Indonesia, its core business is in the production and marketing of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, serving consumers across the country with a wide portfolio that includes Heineken®, the world’s premium beer brand; BINTANG, Indonesia’s iconic beer brand and its brand extensions; Kawan Senja, a beer crafted for sharing moments; and non-alcoholic beverages including BINTANG 0.0 and Green Sands.
As an iconic brand in Indonesia, BINTANG continues to reinforce its position through a relevant and diverse portfolio, from BINTANG Pilsener and BINTANG Crystal to flavoured variants such as BINTANG Radler, BINTANG Anggur Merah, and BINTANG Arak Jeruk & Madu, catering to increasingly diverse consumer preferences.
Multi Bintang Indonesia also continues to strengthen its portfolio to meet evolving consumer needs across different occasions and preferences. In line with this, Kawan Senja has been introduced as a high-quality beer brewed to international standards, delivering a smooth and refreshing experience at an accessible price point.
With its purpose to “Brew the Joy of True Togetherness to Inspire a Better World” and in alignment with Brew a Better World, HEINEKEN’s global sustainability strategy, Multi Bintang Indonesia continues to advance initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, promote responsible consumption, and create long-term value for our stakeholders and communities.
Part of its success in improving operational efficiency is owed to its motion plastics and technology partner, igus, which helps boost production reliability and efficiency. “Our collaboration with igus supports equipment reliability and maintenance efficiency across selected applications in our production facilities. By helping to reduce maintenance requirement and lubricant usage, igus solutions contribute to both operational performance and our sustainability ambitions,” said Mr Handi Tendi, Tangerang Brewery Manager, PT Multi Bintang Indonesia Tbk.
Multi Bintang Indonesia is currently open to exploring solutions that can help it enhance its production reliability, efficiency and long-term performance. Presently, its existing production capacity remains aligned with market demand in Indonesia. It is actively investing in innovations and operational efficiency to strengthen its portfolio while supporting evolving consumer preferences.
According to Mr Sophian Bin Saob, Head of Business Unit, dry-tech® (National), PT igus Indonesia, the collaboration between igus Indonesia and Multi Bintang Indonesia started in 2018. Initially, the engagement started through discussions regarding the support and supply of spare parts and motion components for equipment supplied by Krones, one of the world’s leading beverage filling and packaging machinery manufacturers.
As Multi Bintang Indonesia continuously focuses on improving operational efficiency and maintenance performance within its production facilities, igus worked closely with the engineering and maintenance teams to identify areas where polymer-based motion solutions could provide advantages over conventional metal components.
Over the years, the relationship has evolved beyond simple spare parts support. igus has actively assisted Multi Bintang Indonesia in identifying new applications where maintenance-free and lubrication-free components could enhance machine performance, reduce downtime, and improve hygiene standards. Through regular technical consultations, product recommendations, and engineering support, igus has become a trusted partner in helping Multi Bintang Indonesia optimize selected areas of its beverage production and packaging operations.
igus parts used at Multi Bintang Indonesia
Multi Bintang Indonesia utilizes several igus products across its production and packaging lines, primarily due to their reliability, maintenance-free operation, and suitability for demanding industrial environments.
1) DryLin® Linear Systems
The DryLin® product range is used for linear motion applications where smooth and reliable movement is required without the need for external lubrication.
Key benefits include:
- Maintenance-free operation
- No grease or oil required
- Reduced contamination risk in food and beverage environments
- Corrosion-resistant construction
- Long service life even in wet or humid conditions
These characteristics make DryLin particularly suitable for machinery used in filling, packaging, labeling, and material handling processes.
2) iglidur® Plain Bearings
iglidur® bearings are high-performance polymer bearings designed to operate without lubrication.
Benefits for beverage production include:
- Elimination of grease and lubricants
- Reduced maintenance requirements
- Resistance to chemicals and cleaning agents
- Lightweight design
- Excellent wear resistance
In beverage plants where regular washdowns and strict hygiene standards are required, iglidur bearings help ensure reliable operation while reducing maintenance costs and the risk of product contamination.
3) igubal® Insert Bearings
igubal® insert bearings provide self-aligning functionality and are particularly useful in conveyor systems and machine components where slight misalignments may occur.
Advantages include:
- Corrosion resistance
- Self-aligning capability
- Maintenance-free operation
- Reduced machine downtime
- Suitable for challenging environmental conditions
These bearings contribute to smoother machine operation and increased equipment reliability throughout the production process.
igus parts/solutions for other beverage producers in this region
Beyond the products currently used at Multi Bintang Indonesia, igus continues to develop innovative solutions that can help other beverage manufacturers to improve their efficiency, reduce downtime, and increase sustainability throughout their production processes.
1) igus 3D Printed Can Twister Solution
One of the latest innovations from igus is the 3D Printed Can Twister Solution, developed using igus’ high-performance tribologically optimized materials.
In beverage production lines, can twisters are used to rotate or reorient cans during conveying and packaging processes. These components are often exposed to continuous movement, friction, high production speeds, and regular cleaning procedures.
Traditional components can wear out over time, leading to unplanned maintenance and replacement costs.
Using igus’ advanced 3D printing technology, custom-designed can twisters can be manufactured from wear-resistant, self-lubricating polymer materials that offer several advantages:
- Reduced wear and longer service life compared to conventional materials
- No external lubrication required, supporting cleaner production environments
- Lightweight construction that reduces system load
- Faster production and replacement of custom parts
- Reduced machine downtime through rapid spare-part availability
- Ability to quickly optimize designs according to specific production requirements
For beverage manufacturers such as Multi Bintang Indonesia, this solution can provide greater flexibility in maintaining and upgrading packaging lines while reducing maintenance efforts and overall operating costs.
2) igus 3D Printing Solutions with tribo-filament®
Another innovative solution is igus tribo-filament®, a specialized 3D printing material developed for creating functional wear-resistant machine components.
Unlike standard 3D printing materials, tribo-filament is engineered specifically for industrial applications requiring:
- High wear resistance
- Low friction performance
- Self-lubricating properties
- Long operational life
This enables beverage producers to manufacture:
- Customized spare parts
- Machine guides
- Wear strips
- Prototypes
- Small-batch replacement components
The ability to produce parts on demand helps reduce spare-parts inventory, minimize lead times, and improve production continuity. This is particularly valuable for plants operating around the clock, where every minute of downtime can impact productivity.
Conclusion
Through solutions such as DryLin®, iglidur®, igubal®, the new 3D Printed Can Twister Solution, and tribo-filament® materials, igus helps beverage manufacturers improve equipment reliability, reduce maintenance requirements, shorten downtime, and increase operational efficiency. These innovations support beverage producers all across this region in achieving more sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing operations while maintaining high production standards.
For more information, click on: igus Singapore Pte Ltd
