Leading the market in innovative can washers, washer-ovens and wash coaters

With a rich history spanning over 80 years, VMI has established itself as a respected market leader with a strong focus on innovative machinery. Founded in 1945, the company has evolved into a modern, global organisation with nine facilities on four continents, employing around 1800 people worldwide. VMI’s headquarters, located in Epe, the Netherlands, is home to approximately 1000 employees, working on innovative solutions for the tire, rubber, can, and care industries.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE CAN INDUSTRY

VMI Can is dedicated to delivering highquality equipment and services to the two-piece beer, beverage, and food can industry since the early 70s. VMI’s product portfolio includes can washers, dry-off ovens, wash coaters, bottle rinsers, and hot water boilers, all designed to provide cost and energy efficient washing and drying solutions. With a strong focus on research and development, VMI has introduced numerous new technologies that have revolutionized the can making industry.

In 2026, VMI introduced the VMI Can Washer 2.0, a modular, next-generation can washing system. The new innovative washer is designed to provide customers with flexibility and control and allows for the machine to be adapted to customer specific requirements.

The Can Washer 2.0 also boasts numerous sustainability advantages, including significantly reduced energy, chemical, gas, and water consumption. This commitment to sustainability is integral to VMI’s corporate strategy, ensuring that customers can minimise their environmental footprint while maintaining high production standards.

VMI’s ovens are designed to dry two-piece beer and beverage cans or for baking the outside coating of food cans. Within less than ten minutes, the oven is fully heated and operational, with operating temperatures ranging from 150 to 210 degrees Celsius. The oven’s well designed insulation ensures that heat is retained within the machine, while the outside panels remain cool. This thoughtful design not only enhances operator safety, but also significantly reduces energy consumption, making it more sustainable and cost-effective.

VMI’s Wash Coater is used in the twopiece food can processing line and uses a minimum of two curtains to coat the outside of the cans. The compact design gives the smallest footprint in the industry. Entirely constructed of stainless steel, the machine includes coating filters, two or three air knives and a cleaning sponge roll. Additionally, an optional separate sponge roll system can be added in order to remove coating residue from the rim of the can.

Usually, floor space is limited in a boiler room, therefore the VMI Hot Water Boiler has been designed to take up limited floor space. Despite the compact and light design, important technical requirements such as low NOx emission, excellent heat transfer in the heat exchanger, and a surprisingly large heated surface are included. As a result, very high efficiency can be obtained, reducing gas consumption. Optionally, excess heat from the RTO process can be used to heat the hot water system, reducing gas consumption to a minimum.

The high-tech VMI Bottle Rinser is built with first class materials and components, and is the ultimate solution for handling and rinsing delicate bottle cans. The bottle rinser allows a maximum of 32 bottles in a row and the baskets are always made to handle specific bottle dimensions. Based on 211 can diameter, the bottle rinser can handle a maximum of 1100 bottles per minute. The top spray-bars are in fixed positions while the bottom spraybars oscillate in sync with the baskets guaranteeing the best rinsing results.

UPGRADES AND RETROFITS: EXTENDING MACHINE LIFE AND SUSTAINABILITY

VMI also offers a range of upgrades and retrofits for existing can washers and dryers, designed to improve production processes and increase sustainability. These upgrades include kits to reduce chemical mist, new blow-off fan retrofits, and the introduction of the anti-carry over device system (ACOD). By investing in these upgrades, customers can extend the life of their machines, resulting in a higher return on investment (ROI) and reduced environmental impact.