Efficient Strip Folding Solutions: Nichrome’s Advanced Packaging Machinery in India

 

 

The Indian FMCG and food industries are evolving at lightning speed. Increasing consumer demands for hygiene, uniformity, and quick delivery have transformed packaging from a basic operational requirement into a key differentiator. From chocolate bars to pharmaceutical tablets, sachets, and beauty strips, manufacturers now recognise that manual or semi-automatic packaging processes are no longer viable; they’re labour-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to inconsistency.

For manufacturers seeking efficiency and consistency, Nichrome offers a comprehensive range of automated packaging systems built on decades of trust. Nichrome's strip folding and associated packaging machines provide accuracy, speed, and automation. From a flexiwrap strip folder to a flow wrap machine or a vertical form fill seal machine, Nichrome provides solutions that enhance packaging operations in various industries.

Why Automation Matters for Strip Folding in India

India's manufacturing industries are dynamic and competitive. Rapid urbanization, increased disposable incomes, and shifting consumer trends put pressures on manufacturers to meet:

●       Hygiene while processing sensitive products like medicines or chocolates.

●       Less human error and decreased product wastage.

●       Increase production in cycles to suit seasonal or market demand surges.

●       Offer flexible packaging sizes, ranging from strips to pouches, cartons, or bottles.

Manual strip folding is slow, irregular, and subject to contamination. Semi-automatic equipment brings some increase in speed but is still limited in precision and output. Automated strip folding systems and horizontal flow wrap machines address these issues by offering consistent folding, sealing, and packaging at high rates of speed.

Nichrome’s Strip Folding Solutions

Nichrome offers access to internationally acclaimed systems designed to suit the Indian market. Here's a glance at some of the most relevant technologies:

1.    Flexiwrap Strip Folder

Nichrome's flexiwrap strip folder is best suited for FMCG, food, and nutraceutical categories in which items are packaged in sachets or pouch strips. It integrates speed and accuracy to deliver neatly folded laddis (strings of pouches) that are subsequently ready for secondary packaging.

Key Features:

●       Suitable for sachets, pouch strips, and laddi-form products.

●       High-speed folding with minimal product damage.

●       Smooth integration with flow wrap machines for uninterrupted production.

●       PLC control for repeatable and accurate operations.

●       Simple changeover and versatile for both small-scale and high-output production lines.

This automatic packaging machine minimizes manual handling, maintaining better hygiene while delivering consistently aligned strips for secondary packing.

2.    Flow Wrap Machines

Flow wrap machines are part of Nichrome's secondary packaging solutions. Once pouch strips or collated packs are formed, they are wrapped for distribution and retail. Nichrome offers:

●       Horizontal flow wrap machines (Flexiwrap 700) for biscuits, chocolates, bakery products, and similar products.

●       Automatic flow wrap systems (Flexiwrap ST) that collate sachets or pouches from a VFFS line and flow wrap them into distributor packs or retail-ready packs.

Key benefits:

●       Consistent quality high-speed wrapping.

●       Blanket integration with strip folder and pouch collation equipment.

●       Less wastage and improved visual presentation for retail display.

For instance, a sachet producer can take laddis (pouch strips) from a strip folder and insert them directly into a horizontal flow wrap machine, ensuring smooth production and hygiene controls.

3.    Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) Machines

Nichrome's Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) machines constitute the initial stage in the strip folding system. They fill products into sachets, which are then fed to the strip folder for striping into laddis. The VFFS machine:

●       Handles various products such as powders, granules, liquids, pastes, and snack foods.

●       Provides flexibility in pouch dimensions and several sealing types like CSPP, 3-side seal, 4-side seal, and gusseted pouches.

●       Can be integrated with flexiwrap strip folders, flow wrap machines, as well as other automation systems for overall packaging solutions.

Upon incorporating a VFFS machine into a strip folder, manufacturers automatically create the process from pouch formation to strip arrangement, cutting down on manual handling, improving hygiene, and increasing efficiency.

4.    Secondary Packaging Solutions

Following primary packaging, products often require secondary packaging for logistics and retail display. Nichrome provides end-to-end solutions such as:

●       Carton packing strip machines to pack folded strips into cartons.

●       Secondary packaging machines such as case packers and end-of-line equipment for bulk shipments.

●       Integration with pouch packing machines for multi-strip packaging.

Key benefits:

●       Maintains products secure during transit.

●       Allows for efficient shipment preparation with low manual handling.

●       Works seamlessly with upstream folding and wrapping equipment for a complete packaging line.

 

 

Advantages of Nichrome Strip Folding Systems

Investing in Nichrome strip folding machines and systems in India has the following advantages:

1.    Accuracy & Consistency

Whether it is pharmaceutical tablets, chocolate strips, or nutraceutical sachets, Nichrome machines provide accurate folds and packaging every time. This minimizes product giveaway and gives better presentation.

2.    Safety & Hygiene

The equipment is constructed with pharmaceutical-grade and food-grade stainless steel parts. Enclosed systems and minimized manual handling ensure product cleanliness and industry standard compliance.

3.    Flexibility

Equipment such as the flow wrap machine and the VFFS machine accommodates various product configurations, from pouches and strips to cartons, with fast switchovers between product lines.

4.    Scalability

From small drug labs to giant confectionery manufacturing plants, Nichrome offers automatic packaging machines, small flow wrap machines, and industrial-scale horizontal flow wrap machines according to production needs.

5.    Automation & Control

Advanced PLCs, touch-screen HMIs, and safety interlocks make the machines easy to use and safe, with reduced downtime.

6.    Local Support in India

With the extensive coverage of Nichrome all over India, the manufacturers benefit from local service, spare part availability, and operator training. This provides for uninterrupted operation and long-term stability.

A Complete Strip Folding Line

Following is an illustration of a complete strip folding and packaging line for the manufacturers:

1.     Strip Folding Stage: Automatic strip machine folds tablets, chocolates, or other products in an efficient manner.

2.     Initial Packaging Stage: Folded strips are inserted in a flow wrapping machine (mini or horizontal) or VFFS packaging machine for solo pouch packing.

3.     Secondary Packaging Stage: Products are packed into cartons on carton packing strip machines or secondary packaging machines.

4.     End-of-Line Equipment: Case erectors, palletizers, and end of line packaging equipment simplify the shipping process.

This combined system reduces labour-intensiveness, preserves hygiene, and provides consistent, high-quality packaging.

Conclusion

For Indian manufacturers, strip folding and packaging solutions are strategic investments. Manual folding and semi-automatic systems are unable to catch up to the speed, accuracy, and market hygiene standards of today’s market.

With Nichrome’s Flexiwrap strip folder, Flexiwrap 700 and Flexiwrap ST - flow wrapping machines, carton packing strip machines, and end-of-line packaging equipment, companies can:

●       Guarantee consistent and precise folding and packaging.

●       Keep processes hygienic and minimize risk of contamination.

●       Increase production scale with efficiency.

●       Realize cost savings through automation and lower wastage.

Whether it is a mini flow wrap machine for small volume batches or a complete industrial horizontal flow wrap machine line with integration of secondary packaging machines, Nichrome's solutions enable manufacturers to attain efficiency, quality, and market readiness.

By opting for Nichrome, Indian enterprises are investing in reliability, velocity, and expansion. The future of strip folding and packaging in India is efficient, hygienic, and automated, and Nichrome is leading the way.

Powering Tomorrow’s Food Brands with Smarter Packaging at Gulfood 2025

Packaging is a strategic means of enabling shelf life, operational effectiveness, brand recognition, and customer satisfaction. As consumer expectations change, consumer hygiene standards become higher, and efficiency demands become stronger, the food packaging industry has seen a drastic change into a tech-savvy, innovation-based industry.

Whether it is to maintain product safety, improve shelf life, or maximize production lines, companies today count on cutting-edge solutions to drive their success. The demand for automation, precision, and flexibility in packaging has never been more urgent.

As one of India's earliest pioneers in packaging automation, Nichrome has always been at the forefront. With decades of ex      perience in food, pharma, personal care, and industrial segments, Nichrome continues to define packaging excellence in India and overseas. Nichrome will exhibit its next-generation technologies this November at Gulfood Manufacturing 2025; launching solutions that enable contemporary food brands. From ready-to-eat to powders and beyond, Nichrome machines enable packaging excellence across product lines.

About Nichrome

Nichrome has come a long way in over decades, starting with launching India's first milk pouch packaging machine. Since then, the company has evolved to become a global brand, providing end-to-end packaging solutions for a range of industries. Based on its core strengths in R&D, automation, and engineering excellence, Nichrome tailors solutions to businesses' individual needs. The company’s hallmark lies in its ability to provide compact designs with modular flexibility, low wastage, high speed, and reliable accuracy and compatibility with various pouch sizes.

Nichrome is now a go-to partner for:

●       Dry foods & powders

●       Snacks & namkeens

●       Ready-to-cook (RTC) / Ready-to-eat (RTE) meals

●       Spices, pulses, grains, dry fruits, and more

●       Powders, granules, tablets, liquids

●       Personal care, agrochemicals, detergents, industrial products

About Gulfood Manufacturing 2025

Gulfood 2025 is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, from 4th – 6th November 2025.

This premier global platform brings manufacturers, technologists, packaging specialists, and global food & beverage companies together under one banner. During these three days, the visitors will receive access to a wide variety of innovations in food processing, packaging equipment, ingredient sourcing, automation, quality control, and production operation scaling systems.

For businesses looking to grow, Gulfood Manufacturing is a source of trend insight, live demonstrations, knowledge sharing, and networking with world business leaders. From discovering innovative packaging technology, considering automation solutions, or looking for fresh export markets, the show gives a holistic overview of what's new in food manufacturing and packaging worldwide.

Nichrome’s Participation at Gulfood

Nichrome invites you to stop by its stall at Gulfood 2025 to witness the future of food packaging firsthand. If you are a business expanding operations, a food producer looking to upgrade automation, or an international company looking for trusted packaging technology, Nichrome's stand will be worth your while.

Visitors to the Nichrome stall can look forward to:

●       One-on-one consultations with Nichrome experts and engineers

●       New releases in food & snack packaging automation

●       Overview of efficient and innovative features

Nichrome's stand will combine technology, experience, and expertise, all ingredients that make a visit indispensable for serious players looking to automate packaging operations.

Key Food Packaging Machines

1.    PFS 8 Alpha (Pick-Fill-Seal Machine)

The PFS 8 Alpha is an advanced horizontal form fill seal (HFFS) machine that is meant for precision packaging. This multi-purpose machine automates the entire process of picking pre-made pouches, opening & filling with precise dosing and sealing with sanitary, tamper-proof finishes. It is ideal for snacks & namkeen, dry fruits & chips, ready-to-eat meals, spices, powders, and instant mixes.

PFS 8 Alpha benefits:

●       Handles various pouch sizes: stand-up, zipper, and spouted pouches

●       Space-efficient compact & modular design

●       Supports fillers like auger, multi-head weighers, volumetric cup fillers

●       Increases cleanliness with minimal human contact

The PFS 8 Alpha keeps brands ahead of the game by merging speed, flexibility, and shelf-appeal.

2.    Blaze-3T (Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine)

The Blaze-3T is built for high-performance packaging with a focus on productivity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. It is perfectly suited for free-flowing products like powders and is commonly applied to milk, tea and coffee powders, nutraceutical powder and seasoning powders.

Advantages of Blaze-3T:

●       High productivity through continuous motion technology

●       Precision sealing & pouch forming for reliable quality

●       Enhanced operator safety with interlocks and easy-to-use HMI

●       Reduced downtime with servo-driven automation

Blaze-3T provides a future-ready solution that combines rapid throughput, consistency, and advanced automation of Nichrome's engineering.

3.    Sprint 250 Snack Pack

Specifically designed for the namkeen and snack segment, Sprint 250 Snack Pack streamlines operations while adapting to varied packaging needs. It is a perfect solution for potato chips, namkeen & mixtures, extruded snacks & pellets and dry fruits & nuts.

Features & Benefits:

●       High-speed performance: up to 120 packs/min

●       Accommodates various pouch sizes: CSPP, gusseted, chain of small packs

●       Tool-free, rapid size changes for utmost flexibility

●       Guarantees hygiene & product safety

●       Features secure sealing for freshness and longer shelf life

Sprint 250 Snack Pack ensures that brands can scale effectively while delivering consumer demands for hygiene and pack appeal.

Nichrome: Shaping the Next Generation of Food Packaging

As the Indian food industry grows at a phenomenal rate, brands are under pressure to provide convenience, quality, and freshness. Nichrome responds to these needs with advanced packaging solutions that integrate cutting-edge engineering with intelligent automation. From space-saving designs to modular configurations, Nichrome equipment enables companies to maximize production, reduce waste, and preserve product integrity.

By offering solutions for local as well as global brands, Nichrome provides packaging solutions that live up to the expectations of today's consumers, improve on-shelf presence, and enable scalable growth; hence emerging as a trusted partner for food packaging innovation.

Why Visit Nichrome at Gulfood 2025?

●       One-stop automation partner: End-to-end packaging solutions for different food categories. From powder to ready-to-eat meal packaging, Nichrome's comprehensive systems assist companies in optimizing production and enhancing operational efficiency.

●       Product highlights: Get an in-depth overview of Nichrome's PFS 8 Alpha, Blaze-3T, and Sprint 250 Snack Pack solutions. Designed to cater to specific packaging requirements, providing reliable performance while supporting diverse production requirements.

●       Customized solutions: Whether SME or large enterprise, Nichrome has a solution for all sizes. The company collaborates with clients to customize machines and processes, making them compatible with production needs and company objectives.

●       Trend insights: Get the latest on pouch design and packaging automation. Attendees will receive valuable insights regarding new technologies, trends, and best practices on how to stay ahead in the aggressive food packaging industry.

Conclusion

With the food industry moving further towards smarter operations and improved safety measures, packaging has become a product differentiator for brands. With its engineering capabilities, customer-centric approach, and innovative solutions, Nichrome is paving the way for the future of food packaging in India and across the globe.

At Gulfood 2025, Nichrome invites food entrepreneurs, food brands, and industry leaders to see for themselves how our machines are revolutionizing the packaging sector.

Visit Nichrome at Gulfood and experience firsthand how cutting-edge technology and expert engineering are shaping world-class packaging.

 

 

From Spoilage to Savings: Thermoforming MAP Technology

 

Each year, food waste leads to massive losses for the food industry. Perishable foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and milk products have a very short shelf life, which results in excessive wastage, unhappy customers, and eroding profits. Stock quality becomes difficult for retailers to manage, while manufacturers fight increasing losses from unsold or returned items. Consumers get affected through decreased confidence in packaged food and a blow to their shopping experience.

The solution lies in Thermoforming Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), a revolutionary technology that is transforming food packing, preservation, and delivery. By establishing a controlled atmosphere within the pack and precisely sealing it, thermoforming MAP not only enhances shelf life but also preserves taste, texture, and freshness.

This subject is more relevant today than ever before. With growing demand for packaged food of high quality, rigorous food safety standards, and increasing focus on minimizing wastage, Thermoforming MAP technology is proving to be a game-changer for food manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.

What is Thermoforming MAP Technology?

Thermoforming MAP technology is a convergence of two dominant technologies: thermoforming and modified atmosphere packaging. It is a process that starts by heating a plastic film to the extent that it is pliable, then forming it into a thermoforming tray or pocket that contains the food item. After putting the product inside, the atmosphere is changed with a precisely formulated gas mixture, and the pack is closed to seal the freshness in.

The procedure depends on three main elements; Gas mixers, Barrier films and Sealing systems. These elements provide appropriate proportions of gas, prevent oxygen, moisture and impurities from entering and ensure tamper-proof packaging.

Nowadays, thermoforming MAP systems are automated and provide thermoforming vacuum packaging machines, high-speed conveyor belts, and advanced sealing stations. The machines, unlike simple vacuum packing food bags, not only evacuate air but also fill the place with a protective atmosphere.

How Thermoforming MAP Technology Works

The magic of modified atmosphere packaging food happens through the science of gases. Various products need various compositions of gases to remain fresh. For instance:

●       Nitrogen: Pushes out oxygen and prevents oxidation.

●       Carbon dioxide: Suppresses microbial growth.

●       Oxygen: Use in a controlled quantity to maintain the red meat colour.

The packaging process is usually composed of the following stages:

1. Thermoforming moulding: The plastic film is subjected to heat and moulded into trays or pockets.
2. Filling: The food item, whether cheese, meat, or bakery foods, is filled into the moulded cavity.
3. Gas flushing/vacuuming: Vacuuming or flushing the pack with gas is done. Devices such as commercial vacuum packaging machines or packing vacuum machines remove air effectively.
4. Sealing: The pack is sealed with a further film layer, guaranteeing an air-tight seal.

Automation makes this process seamless. Thermoforming machine manufacturers in India such as Nichrome create equipment with programmable parameters so that each pack is uniform. Whether it is sausage packaging, corn packing, or vacuum packing machine for grains, thermoforming MAP is tailored to different product requirements.

This combined action of vacuum and gas control helps the food products stay safe, fresh, and good-looking during storage and transportation.

Conventional Packaging vs Thermoforming MAP Technology

Benefit	Conventional Packaging	Thermoforming MAP Technology
Shelf Life	1–3 days	7–21 days (depending on product)
Spoilage	High	Significantly reduced
Appearance	Can deteriorate quickly	Maintains freshness and visual appeal
Transportation Loss	Moderate	Minimal
Compliance	Basic hygiene	Food safety and hygiene standards

Benefits of Thermoforming MAP Technology

The benefits of thermoforming MAP extend far beyond just shelf life:

●       Extended Shelf Life: Products stay fresh for much longer than with conventional packs. For example, meat and cheese can be kept fresh for weeks.

●       Less Food Waste: Longer-life products translate to fewer returns, less spoilage, and improved inventory control.

●       Improved Product Quality: Taste, texture, and appearance are not compromised. Unlike plain vacuum packaging machine processes, MAP prevents discoloration and moisture loss.

●       Cost Savings: There is less spoilage, so businesses save a lot on disposal costs for waste and replacement. Even the cost of the vacuum packing machine recovers easily through lesser losses.

●       Sustainability: Less food spoilage means fewer resources wasted during production, packaging, and transportation. Paired with reusable films, MAP also aids in environmentally friendly packaging.

This renders thermoforming MAP an excellent option for producers expanding operations with vacuum sealing machine industrial arrangements or combining vacuum packing machines with nitrogen flushing for further preservation.

Applications of Thermoforming MAP Technology

Thermoforming MAP is not a universal solution. It is customized for various food categories:

●       Meat and Poultry: Meat packs and sausage packs are commonly packaged using MAP. The controlled atmosphere preserves meat's red appearance and freshness, inhibiting microbial growth.

●       Dairy Products: Cheese, paneer, and butter are kept fresh for longer. In contrast to basic vacuum machines for packing, mould development is avoided and flavour loss prevented through MAP.

●       Ready-to-Eat Meals: MAP helps to increase the shelf life of packaged meals and snacks so that retailers can keep up with the escalating demand for convenience foods.

●       Bakery Products: Bread, cakes, and pastries gain from less staling and mould prevention.

●       Fresh/Cut Fruits and Vegetables: From corn packing to salads, MAP preserves crispness, colour, and nutrition.

 

 

Why Use Nichrome for Thermoforming MAP Technology

●       Established expertise: Years of leadership in automated packaging solutions.

●       Adaptable machines: Versatile formats, ranging from vacuum pack machines for food to thermoforming food packaging systems.

●       High precision & hygiene: Innovative sealing, uniform gas flushing, and adherence to global food safety standards.

●       Scalability: From a small unit to a massive production line, Nichrome provides thermoforming machine solutions that fit every budget and requirement.

Practical Tips for Implementation

●       Evaluate product requirements: Different products demand various gas blends and package designs.

●       Line and space integration: Make sure your facility has space to fit in the size of a thermoforming vacuum setup.

●       Operations & maintenance: Choose a good partner such as Nichrome, who not only supplies machines but also performs after-sales service and training.

●       Budget wisely: Compare the vacuum packing machine cost with projected savings in spoilage avoidance.

 

Conclusion

From increasing shelf life to saving money, thermoforming MAP technology is shaping the future of food packaging. By leveraging the strengths of vacuum packing machines and the science of gas-controlled environments, it provides unparalleled efficiency, cleanliness, and cost savings. For companies, it means lower losses, increased customer confidence, and a healthier bottom line.

With sustainability at the forefront of the food business, minimizing food loss is just as crucial as utilizing environmentally friendly materials. MAP technology speaks directly to this issue, and it is therefore a future-thinking solution for food manufacturers and retailers.

The future is bright: food companies that adopt innovation such as thermoforming MAP will lead in quality, profitability, and sustainability. Nichrome, with its expertise from thermoforming machine manufacturers in India, stands by to join forces with you on this journey.

FAQs

Q1. How does MAP prolong the shelf life of food products?

By substituting oxygen with gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, MAP slows microbial growth and inhibits oxidation.

Q2. What types of foods benefit from MAP technology?

Meat, dairy, bakery products, fruits and vegetables, and even RTE meals. Vacuum packing machines for jars or vacuum sealing machines for glass bottles take this to specialized segments.

Q3. How do Thermoforming MAP machines automate the process?

These machines automatically form trays, fill them, flush gases, and seal, providing precision and hygiene.

Q4. What are the environmental benefits of MAP technology?

Less spoilage means reduced food waste, conserving resources and fostering sustainability.

Q5. How can businesses select the right MAP machine?

Consider product type, scale of production, available space, and compare offerings of credible thermoforming machine manufacturers like Nichrome.