Increasingly flexible packaging machines

Packaging is a world  of fast-paced developments. As a result, packaging specialist MULTIVAC  is increasingly asked to supply flexible packaging machines. “A customer  will often want an all-rounder, so we make one to measure for them.”

At the company’s office in Woerden, The Netherlands, Marketing  Manager Marcel van den Berg demonstrates various packaging machines. He  explains that MULTIVAC has a large testing facility in Germany where  around 2,500 different test packages are produced each year.

Made to measure

“Sustainability is an important trend,” explains Marcel. “Furthermore,  the demand for easy-open packaging is growing all the time,” he adds.  “One effective solution is Snapsil, for example, which can be opened  with one hand. We’re also seeing more interest in closable packaging  such as for cheese and sliced meats. Packs can be closed using a lid,  with a resealable top film or with an adhesive film.” These developments  have meant that the packaging machines must be increasingly flexible  too. “Customers normally want an all-rounder,” says Sales &  Marketing Assistant Monica de Jong. “We often invite them to the testing  facility in Germany and make a machine to measure, such as with  automatically interchangeable moulds or one that can work with both  rigid film and flexible film.”

Savings

MULTIVAC is particularly well known as a supplier of thermoformers such  as the MULTIVAC R535. Marcel: “The machine has moved with the times and  is now more eco-friendly. All pneumatically-driven modules have been  replaced with electrical drive units, meaning that the machine now uses  up to 30 percent less electricity. A new element is the ‘e-concept’  which adds a marker points to the film. Sensors in the machine detect  the markers for a more precise positioning of the film. This means that a  narrow sealing edge is sufficient, thus helping customers to reduce  trimmed waste and hence save on film.”

Maximum flexibility

In addition to thermoformers, Multivac also supplies other types of  packaging equipment such as vacuum packing machines and tray sealers.  “The tray sealer is used primarily for product combinations such as  ready meals,” explains Marcel. “The trays are first filled and then  transported to the machine on a conveyor. We offer a wide range of tray  sealers, from table-top models to large-scale industrial, fully  automated tray-sealing lines for high production capacities. Once again,  maximum flexibility is key. All our tray sealers can be converted to  another format quickly and simply.”
Monica adds that the equipment is designed for easy cleaning. “It is  made entirely of stainless steel, even the pipes and the tubes. All of  the surfaces slope to ensure that the water runs off them. The conveyors  are removable so that the machine can be cleaned underneath them too.”

www.multivac.nl