The reduction of the consumption of packaging and the use of recyclable materials in the production of packaging are currently at the top of the agenda in the packaging industry and among consumers.
In the near future, the demand for recyclable packaging in particular will increase significantly. With MULTIVAC PaperBoard, the company offers a variety of solutions for the production of packaging based on paper fibre that fully meet the requirements of recyclability.
Primarily, packaging must protect the product. In respect of food, pack-aging substantially contributes to the improved use and prolonged shelf life. Plastic composites, which have the required barrier properties and can be easily processed on packaging machines, are predominantly used for this purpose.
The new German Packaging Act, which will come into force in 2019, and the EU Plastics Strategy, which was adopted in January 2018, are intended to counteract the massive increase in the production of plastics worldwide. The requirements essentially relate to the introduction of a recycling economy for the plastics industry and the reduction of the consumption of plastics.
At MULTIVAC, these topics are not new. "We continuously strive towards developing innovative machine concepts and setting new standards in the market for packaging quality and efficiency as well as the conservation of resources and the reduction of packaging. We are also convinced that the use of alternative materials will create further sustainable prospects for the future," as Valeska Haux, Vice President Corporate Marketing, explains and who is also responsible for the film business at MULTIVAC.
Alternative packaging concepts with MULTIVAC PaperBoard
MULTIVAC PaperBoard offers various solutions for the manufacture of packaging from paper fibre based materials. In this regard, MULTIVAC works with leading manufacturers on suitable packaging materials that can be processed in standard systems. The thermoforming packaging machines and traysealers can be individually customised for the respective performance requirements of the customers. They accordingly offer real added value in terms of package quality, output and process reliability. In addition, by means of combining infeed, outfeed and pack labelling modules, fully automated packaging solutions can be offered that fully meet the requirements in respect of efficiency.
For example, both MAP and skin packs made from paper fibre based materials can be implemented on the MULTIVAC systems. The backing material can be processed either as a roll or as a cut sheet; in addition, prefabricated trays can be used. All the materials can be separated into their respective parts by the end user and the paper backing sent for re-cycling.
Advantages of packaging made of fibre based materials
The use of functional layers makes it possible to produce paper-based packs that meet the barrier property requirements of plastic composites. Either the paper backing or the entire paper composite can be sent for recycling; in this regard, countries have different regulations that need to be observed. Another advantage of paper backings is their wide design range for purposes of printing. This contributes significantly to differentiation at the point of sale. Product data can also be displayed on the paper back-ing so that large labels can be dispensed with.
Processing cardboard trays
For the processing of cardboard trays in MAP or skin packs, MULTIVAC offers both thermoforming packaging machines and traysealers that can be equipped with appropriate modules for the infeed and outfeed of the trays. In contrast to the trays made of cardboard composites that are pro-cessed by the traysealer and that can be separated by type after use, the trays used for the thermoforming packaging machine are made of mono cardboard. In the thermoforming moulding die of the machine, the trays are equipped with a corresponding plastic sealing layer that can then al-so be separated from the cardboard after use. The output requirements of the packaging solution significantly influence the decision as to the re-spective ideal system.
Processing cardboard backing
Skin packs on the basis of cardboard backing can be produced with MULTIVAC thermoforming packaging machines as well as with trayseal-ers. In contrast to the traysealer which processes cut cardboard sheets, the thermoforming packaging machine can use material from a roll, which makes this technology far more flexible in respect of the design of the packs. In addition, processing the material from a roll is also signifi-cantly more efficient.
Processing malleable paper
Similarly, MAP and skin packs made of malleable paper composites can also be produced. Paper and cardboard composites with different grammages and different functional layers are used. Pack cavities with a depth of up to 20 mm can be produced with the standard version of MULTIVAC thermoforming packaging machines. As with the previously mentioned packs, the materials of this pack can also be separated ac-cording to type and the paper backing send for recycling.
In order to achieve optimal results, MULTIVAC supports its customers with comprehensive pack tests that are then used for a holistic assessment of the packs. MULTIVAC, as a system supplier, also offers suitable packaging materials that are designed for processing in packaging machines.
