GEA has announced its new PowerPak 1000 thermoformer machine for packaging meat, meat substitutes, poultry and cheese – said to be an ‘entry-level’ machine for thermoforming with functions previously reserved for machines in the higher performance range.
The company says the machine’s features include flexibility in pack size and reduced plastic consumption, targeting companies looking to move away from traditional methods such as vacuum chamber machines or traysealers to increase capacity and flexibility.
The PowerPak 1000 can apparently produce vacuum, MAP or skin packs to meet a range of product and packaging requirements, aiming to allow customers to adapt the machine to changing consumer needs. GEA adds the new machine can be seen and tested live at the GEA Technology and Application Center XLAB in Biedenkopf-Wallau, Germany.
GEA also highlights the SmartPacker CX400 vertical pillow bag packaging machine. It states the machine produces four different types of pouches for products such as frozen and fresh fruit, vegetables, potatoes or protein foods.
The form-fill-seal model is designed for high capacity and maximum productivity, reportedly processing bag widths between 55 mm and 400 mm and up to 120 bags per minute.
GEA states that the CX400 can achieve fast changeover of bag formats and film types in less than 5 minutes and sensitive detection of product in the seal. The machine’s forming shoulders with a composite surface aim to ensure smooth over-the-shoulder film transport, even in humid or wet environments.
Apparently, the CX400’s Smart Sealing System can seal up to one million bags before the sealing strips need to be replaced. GEA says this can be done without long downtime at maximum output, due to the ‘click-and-go’ device.
The PowerPak 1000 machine is due to be presented at Fachpack in Nuremberg, Germany, from September 24th-26th, at the company’s stand in Hall 7A, Stand 563.
“We are delighted to be able to introduce the PowerPak 1000 to a wider audience. With this machine, we can now help smaller companies improve the efficiency of their packaging processes and increase their output, offering them our many years of expertise and flexible service,” says Stefan Runkel, product manager of Thermoforming at GEA Food Application Solutions.
At the end of last year, SÜDPACK launched its Multifol Extreme base film, hoping to offer thinner and more lightweight thermoforming packaging in vacuum and MAP applications for fish products. The new film aimed to offer high puncture resistance and sealing performance, as well as facilitating lower costs and emissions across the value chain.
More recently, ProAmpac released its 90% fibre-based, high-barrier thermoforming solution on the European market in hopes of unlocking recyclability, efficiency, and consumer appeal for a range of food packaging. The solution is said to be kerbside recyclable in the UK and Ireland, aiming to bring customers closer to achieving circularity for their packaging.
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