Montreal's Kingston Automation Technology modernizes aluminium bottles for better recyclability and convenience

Kingston Automation Technology, a Kingston based business owned by mother-son duo has modernized the aluminium container production process in order to make aluminium bottles more convenient and a viable alternative to plastic bottles.

“It was important that we redesign these lines,” owner Ben Pilon said. “These are generally, around the world, 60- or 70-year-old technology. We wanted to make them smaller.

Kingston Automation Technology is likely to produce about 75 million containers in 2020 and create about 30 jobs at its Montreal location.

The company’s patented blow moulding technology can create easily recyclable and reusable aluminium containers in comparison to plastic or glass. They are easy to produce and transport, and more cost effective than traditional aluminium bottles.

“Our process is smart,” company president Betty Pilon said in a news release. “Scrap rates are down, changeover time from one customer to the next takes minutes, and small batches are possible. While the advantages of aluminium packaging are undeniable, the existing process to make them is inefficient. We wanted to create a process that would allow anyone from a startup to a large brand to work with us.”

The company plans to expand into three business streams: licensing and installing its bottling technology, selling aluminium bottles and containers, and filling their bottles with drinks, label and caps.

The company’s food containers are customizable according to client requirements. They have also received approvals for making containers for cannabis-infused drinks and edibles. The company’s production line can be adapted for small batch orders and quick changeovers, Ben Pilon said.