Inquiries & Help
Thank you very much Mr. Čurčić for your time! It's been a few years since our last interviewtogether. Please give us a brief overview of the strategic development and direction of SOL Kohlensäure GmbH & Co. KG.
In the years since our last conversation, SOL Kohlensäure has undergone significant strategic development and considerable growth. We have also been able to continuously expand our market presence in the dry ice business segment and consolidate our position as a key player. A key step in this development was the merger with SOL Deutschland GmbH, which was completed this year. This merger enables us to offer our customers an even more comprehensive range of services, while maintaining our proven quality standards. As part of the internationally active SOL Group, which was founded in Italy in 1927 and is now represented in over 32 countries with more than 7,000 employees (as of 2024), we are ideally positioned to continue our growth strategy and continuously optimize our services.
What role and relevance does the topic of “dry ice” play in the company?
Dry ice is a strategically important and growing business area for the SOL Group and also for SOL in Germany. We have consistently strengthened this area in recent years by opening additional locations and systematically expanding our workforce. To further expand our market position, we have also entered into new partnerships and successfully acquired companies in the dry ice sector. Our future strategy is to further increase the flexibility of our services in order to guarantee our customers the best possible service. To this end, we are continuing to invest specifically in the expansion of our production sites and in the training of our team. These investments are essential in order to efficiently meet the growing demand for dry ice, especially in new areas of application.
You use several ASCO machines at once – including the P55i, BP420i, and APM120 packaging machine – all in the Carefree model. How did you decide on this setup?
The decision to go with the ASCO Carefree model and the specific machine setup was based on a bunch of strategic considerations. ASCO machines are used at a bunch of our production sites. For us, it was super important to be able to flexibly adapt the machine equipment to the specific needs of each site, instead of having to adjust our processes to the machines. The Carefree model offers us the maximum flexibility and operational reliability we need for this. It enables us to maintain production continuously without having to worry about unexpected downtime or high initial investments. This is particularly important in order to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to increasing demand. Our positive experiences with ASCO in the past further reinforced this decision.
What were your reasons for choosing the Carefree model for all your machines?
The main reasons for deciding to operate all ASCO machines under the Carefree model are to ensure continuous production capacity and eliminate significant investment risks. When we entered the dry ice business about six years ago, maximum flexibility with the greatest possible security was most important to us. The Carefree model guarantees this by offering us a fixed monthly price that allows for maximum cost predictability. This minimizes our risk for service and repairs and allows us to focus fully on our core business.
What has been your experience with the rental model so far, particularly in terms of service, maintenance, and reliability?
Our experience with the ASCO Carefree rental model has been entirely positive. We particularly appreciate the rapid availability of specialist personnel in the event of problems. Although there have been isolated cases of machine failures, these have always been resolved competently and quickly, minimizing operational interruptions. The service and maintenance services included in the rental price, as well as ASCO's assumption of risk with regard to repairs, offer us a high degree of planning security and contribute significantly to the reliability of our production.
Is there anything you particularly appreciate about working with ASCO?
I would particularly like to highlight the personal service and high level of expertise provided by our contacts at ASCO. Communication always takes place on an equal footing, which promotes trusting and effective cooperation. When challenges arise, a suitable solution is sought immediately and proactively. For us, this proactive and solution-oriented approach is a decisive added value of the partnership.
What future developments do you see in the field of CO₂ utilization and dry ice on the German and European markets?
I expect the market for CO2 utilization and dry ice utilization to develop significantly. The diversification of CO2 sources will significantly increase flexibility in supply while reducing transport costs. This development will also have a positive impact on the dry ice market. Currently, numerous industries are conducting intensive research into new, useful applications for dry ice. Based on these innovations and the increasing importance of sustainable solutions, I am convinced that the market for dry ice will experience significant growth in the coming years.
What advice would you give to companies considering starting their own dry ice production or choosing a rental model such as ASCO Carefree?
I strongly advise companies considering starting their own dry ice production or considering a rental model such as ASCO Carefree to conduct a comprehensive needs analysis and define their long-term strategic goals. The ASCO Carefree model offers significant advantages, as we can confirm from our own experience, particularly with regard to eliminating high investment costs, maximizing cost predictability through a fixed monthly price, and providing high flexibility in the event of fluctuations in demand. It eliminates the risk of service and repairs and enables continuous production. The ability to focus on your core business while an experienced partner like ASCO takes on technical responsibility is a decisive competitive advantage.
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