NICHROME: PARTNERING FOR THE GROWTH OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

 

Currently, India is the largest milk producer in the world. Over the last three decades, India has transformed from a country with acute milk shortages to the world's leading milk producer. In the latest report by IMARC Group titled 'Dairy Industry in India 2021 Edition', the dairy market in India is expected to cross INR 21,971 billion by 2024.

India is also the leading consumer of milk with the dairy industry divided into organised and mostly unorganised sectors.

Despite COVID-19 induced restrictions, the organised sector is projected for a 5-6% growth, as per CRISIL. While consumption is majorly of liquid milk, there is growing demand and consumption of VAPs (value-added products such as lassi, flavoured milk, ice-cream, yoghurts, cheese, ghee, etc.).

All this means that there is a growing need for systems and infrastructure that augment milk productivity, milk processing and product quality. With increasing population, higher disposable income, higher per-capita consumption, larger vegetarian population, demand for hygiene, etc., the industry has to transition to a more organised market, with investment in dairy and milk packaging machines.

Nichrome’s connections with India’s dairy industry go back 45 years. Nichrome pioneered India’s first milk packaging machine in the 1970s in response to the Government’s call for indigenous, cost-effective packaging solutions. The first Filpack machine developed by Nichrome was commissioned at Kurla Dairy, Mumbai where the commercial distribution of milk pouches was started on 7th March 1977.

Today, Nichrome is amongst the country's top milk packaging machine manufacturers. Nichrome offers a world-class range of milk and dairy packaging machines and systems that enable milk & dairy producers to grow their business with the quality of the product intact. From small dairy farmers to large dairies to multinationals, Nichrome partners with this sector right from consultation and customised solution development to dependable service and support.

NICHROME'S VFFS FILPACK SERIES

The Filpack Series comprises different automatic packaging machines for filling and packing milk and other dairy products. The range includes:

Filpack Servo 12K: India’s fastest milk pouch packaging machine, packing a record 12,000 pouches per hour.

Filpack Servo 6K: A high-speed, low-wastage milk packaging machine, packing 6,000 pouches per hour.

Both these milk filling machines offer a choice of pouch width options – 100 mm, 125 mm and 150 mm, in sizes of 200 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml.

The machines have a complete stainless steel structure, with a digital heat control system for maximum accuracy and insulated tanks to maintain product temperature. Recipes can be set and quantity can be changed through the HMI alone and machine automation can be remotely accessed.

Filpack CMD Alpha: This automatic milk packingmachine is built shorter and occupies less floor space. Twin heads mean you can pack two different products at the same time; you can even conduct maintenance on one track while the other is in operation. Filpack CMD Alpha is a popular choice for packaging milk, flavoured milk, lassi, curd.

Filpack CMS 5L: This versatile machine packs both liquids and viscous products with speed and accuracy, in larger 5500ml pouches. Liquids are packed at a speed of 800 pouches/hour, while viscous products are packed at 400 pouches/hour.

A pneumatic filling system ensures better filling consistency while the enclosed SS cabinet and SS 304 product contact parts ensure hygienic, maintenance-friendly operations.

Filpack Servo Universal: This is Nichrome's nextgen solution in dairy products packaging machines. It serves multiple applications in both free-flowing liquid (milk, buttermilk, water, juicy drinks, etc.) and viscous (cream, ghee, mayonnaise, kefir, etc.). Output speed goes up to 5000 packs per hour.

Filpack Servo Universal is also available in a Double Head Combo.

NICHROME'S HFFS MACHINES FOR DAIRY PACKAGING

T-Series: This line of horizontal-form-fill-seal (HFFS) machines incorporate the latest linear technology from Europe, and are capable of filling and packing a wide range of products - whether granular, liquid, viscous or powder. For dairy producers who prefer the horizontal format for their operations, the T-Series works well for packaging milk, lassi, buttermilk, flavoured milk, cream, curd, etc.

NICHROME’S MINI DAIRY PLANT

Nichrome has developed a special, entry-level mini dairy plant for small dairy farmers - to help them achieve their dreams of independent retailing. It is a small milk processing plant, without a boiler, that filters, pasteurises, homogenises and packs milk in 200ml, 500 ml or 1000ml pouches. The milk plant is designed to be compact, energy-efficient and easy to operate for small dairy owners.

CONCLUSION

Nichrome's expertise in dairy products packaging technology is proven and well known - not just in India but in other countries too. Nichrome offers multiple packaging solutions for dairy products such as milk, lassi, buttermilk, curd, cream, ghee, even dairy whitener and milk powder. For dairy powders, check out Nichrome’s Maxima 400/200, Excel 400 Plus Servo Auger, Sprint 250 Plus Servo Auger and Multilane Stickpack.

Nichrome has recently added bottle and tin filling lines that can be adapted for dairy applications.

Across all products and systems, Nichrome's hallmark quality, technology and cost-efficiency are evident. Customers are assured advanced technology, high-quality components and manufacturing, stringent testing - and full installation, training and service support.

Dairy Processing and Packaging Solutions By Nichrome

Since Nichrome designed and manufactured India’s first indigenous milk pouch packaging machine four decades ago, the company has been continuously building its dairy packaging expertise and product portfolio for packaging milk and other dairy liquids such as flavoured milk, buttermilk, lassi.

In fact, Nichrome offers automated packaging machines and integrated packaging systems for a wide variety of dairy products including viscous (ghee, vanaspati, curd), powders (dairy whiteners, milk powder) and liquids. Nichrome’s dairy packaging machines and systems present certain common advantages such as compact, maintenance-friendly construction, high speed performance, requisite hygiene standards, and accurate filling and sealing.

Let’s take a quick look at Nichrome’s range of offerings for the Dairy industry.

VFFS Packaging Machines

 This range includes

• Filpack Servo 6K: This compact machine for packing Plain Milk, Flavored Milk, Lassi, etc., is a heavy-duty performer, delivering accurate and well-sealed CSPP pouches at a speed of 6000 packs/hour.
• Filpack Servo 12K: This machine is the fastest milk pouch packaging machine, with a speed of 12,000 packs/hour. It can pack CSPP pouches of 200 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml with equal ease and accuracy. Independent balance tanks offer flexibility to handle single or different products simultaneously.
• Filpack Servo Universal: The nextgen solution for Dairy packaging, serves multiple applications in both free flowing liquid (milk, buttermilk, etc.) and viscous (cream, ghee, mayonnaise, kefir, etc.). It is also available in a Double Head Combo Filler model which enables customers to fill viscous products on one head and liquid on the other.
• Filpack CMD Alpha: Built substantially shorter than conventional machines, it also occupies less floor space as no side opening is required. It offers twin heads so you can pack two different products at the same time. You can even conduct maintenance on one track while the other is in operation.
• Filpack CMS 5L: Yet another high-speed member of the Filpack Series. It is a more versatile machine, packaging both liquids and viscous products with a pneumatic filling system for better filling consistency. Filpack CMS 5L fills and seals pouches of larger quantities – up to 5500 ml in CSPP format.
• Wing Stickpack: Offers efficient packaging of milk powder and dairy whitener in single-serve sachets or stickpacks for use in the travel & hospitality industries.

HFFS Packaging Machines

Nichrome brings new generation Horizontal-Form-Fill-Seal machines from Totpack, Spain. The Totpack series is versatile, and can be used for liquid, viscous and powder packaging.

These machines offer a range of pouch formats with superior pouch aesthetics, as well as single and perforated chain of pouches with quick and easy changeover. Duplex models are available for higher outputs.

The Totpack range includes models T-110, T-170 and T-140.

Nichrome also offers another HFFS packaging machine. The Pick Fill Seal Machine which offers the combined benefits of variety, productivity and specialty packaging for ready-to-eat foods. Using versatile Rotary technology, the machine conveniently packs a wide variety of food products and ready-to-eat foods in eye-catching innovative shapes while maintaining freshness of the products. Some of its dairy applications include gulab jamun mix, flavoured yogurt, etc.

Integrated Solutions

Nichrome’s expertise also extends to intelligent Project Integration Solutions. Nichrome offers a variety of Pre and Post Packaging equipment that provide a Complete System Solution. They can also be customized and fitted into existing packaging lines. With its indepth understanding of the Dairy industry and knowledge of virtually all process steps taking care of product, output and regulations, Nichrome offers unmatched strengths for Project Integration and complete packaging lines.

To discover how Nichrome’s expertise and technology can benefit your Dairy business, contact Nichrome today.

Milk Packaging - the cost-effective, sustainable way

Gone are the days when the cow was brought to the consumer’s doorstep for milking. So consumers were assured freshness and purity.

Filpack Servo 12K

It’s a different world today. Growing demand and high cost of milk production has created a need for packaging that conveys the milk safely from cow to consumer. Evolving challenges, concerns and demands for both consumer and distributor have challenged the dairy industry to continuously search for smarter packaging solutions that are not only durable, cost-effective and recyclable, but also use less energy and water.

Criteria for good milk packaging

Milk is an extremely perishable and sensitive product, so it is imperative that the packaging material is effective in preserving its initial quality till it reaches the consumer. It must be tamper-proof and act as barrier to bacterial contamination. However, given changing lifestyles, consumer needs for convenience and hygiene, modern production technology, etc., milk packaging must fulfill other requirements too.

· It should be free from off-flavours

· It should be resistant to UV light

· It should have no physiological effects on the products

· It should possess good mechanical properties (sealing, tensile, structural strength, etc)

· It should possess good oxygen barrier properties

· It should be economical

· It should fit in to the processing line

Evolving packaging trends

The first development for retail packaging was the glass bottle which came at the end of the 19th century. It remained unchallenged till 1933 when the first carton made of waxed paper was introduced.

In the late 1950s, the milk pouch concept originated in Europe, and soon become the rage with its convenience and reduced costs. Polyethylene, particularly LDPE has been used for packing milk. Nowadays, in India milk pouches are formed from LLDPE film of 50–55 μ thickness.

In the 1960s, aseptic packaging was born in Sweden, originally called the ‘Tetra-pack’ system. Aluminium foil is used to provide a barrier against light and gas. This system enhances the shelf life of milk dramatically; if refrigerated, a shelf life of up to one year is possible. No refrigeration is required for at least 3 months.

Innovations in Plastic Packaging

Plastic packaging continues to be the global favourite for milk packaging. Compared to cartons, it helps cut down environmental costs.

In the field of plastic packaging, relentless R&D across the world has resulted in some smart and sustainable innovations. Some of these are:

Milk bag in a jug: This innovation produces 75 percent less waste than traditional milk packaging. Made from LDPE, these milk bags are highly durable and fitted within a reusable and easy-to-pour polypropylene jug. The design ensures a no-leak seal and pours the milk through the spout. With more and more people living with smaller families, plastic packaging makes an ideal solution to stock dairy products while producing much less waste.

Milk bag in a jug

Milk bag in a box: It looks like a traditional plastic milk container but is made up of cardboard pulp shaped like a bottle/carton with a low density polypropylene bag on the inside. Its carbon footprint is 48% lower than that of milk bottles made using HDPE. Innovative & sustainable, this green milk packaging also consumes less than 0.5% of the space of traditional milk packaging in a landfill.

Squeezy stand-up pouch with straw: This new, single-serve form of milk packaging is portable, easy-to-use, and more economical than the paper carton. It is a thermoformed stand-up pouch with integrated straw. The squeeze feature facilitates maximum evacuation of milk, and when empty, it compresses into a small mass, making disposal low-cost and efficient.

Squeezy stand-up pouch with straw

Milk in a flexible pouch: In several countries, especially in the developing world, the dairy industry is also using pouch packaging for milk. Made from LLDPE film, this pouch is reusable, easy-to-pour and produces 75% less waste than conventional milk packaging.

Milk in a Flexible Pouch

Milk packaging in India

In India, while tetra packs are gaining popularity, the high price point puts them out of reach for most consumers. Milk pouches remain the popular choice, widely used by India’s dairy industry. The pouches are generally made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film, but some dairies also use co-extruded LDPE-LLDPE film as it eliminates pin-hole problems. The pouches are formed and filled on form-fill-seal (FFS) machines in capacities of 200, 500 and 1000 ml.

When it comes to sustainability, flexible pouches use less packaging — around 75% less material than other packaging. They are also much lighter in weight, saving resources in transportation costs. The overall reduced cost makes the milk more accessible to more people and new markets.

Conclusion

For milk pouch packaging in India, Nichrome has been blazing trails since 1976. Today, India’s fastest milk packaging machine comes from Nichrome — Filpack Servo 12K which packs an impressive 12,000 pouches per hour. As India’s leading packaging machine manufacturer, Nichrome offers a range of machines and integrated solutions for the dairy industry. To know more, www.nichrome.com

Maximize uptime with comprehensive customer care from Nichrome

In any industry, downtime is a dreaded word. Nichrome, India’s leading packaging machine manufacturer with four decades of experience in the industry understands this only too well.

HFFS Machines HFFS Series T-110

That’s why service support is a key element of Nichrome’s offerings. Nichrome’s worldwide service network provides comprehensive services – from preventive and reactive service to upgradation and overhauling. All geared towards ensuring optimized performance, reliability and uptime of Nichrome’s packaging machines.

Nichrome has a team of trained and experienced service engineers to cater to a wide database of installations and routine back-up service. Nichrome makes a special team of service personnel available to cater to more complex assignments of installations and commissioning, retro-fitment jobs and service supports.

The expertise available in the service team is also utilized for trial management at the factory for critical application machines and tested thoroughly as per the client’s requirements before the dispatch.

Nichrome has expert engineers for different regions like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Bengaluru, Ahmadabad, Indore and other parts of India. For immediate overseas calls, Nichrome has service engineers at CIS, Russia & SAARC. For in-time spares availability, there are distributors across the country & overseas.

All the service personnel are centrally trained in technology aspects of machines / product range. The service and spares team also contributes by giving valuable quality feedback to the design department. This feedback assists the design department in upgrading the technology to optimise consumption pattern of spares & consumables.

Moreover, Nichrome organizes workshops/seminars to train customers on a particular technology or sector.

Genuine Spare Parts

A critical aspect of Nichrome’s support is genuine spares. Nichrome values its customer’s investment in its world class automatic packaging machines and strives to ensure maximum protection through use of genuine spare parts.

Genuine Spare Parts

Genuine Spare Parts

Spare parts supplied by Nichrome are specifically designed for the particular machines configuration. They are tested and verified for safe use on Nichrome’s pouch packaging machines and come with applicable warranty.

Contact us for more details: http://www.nichrome.com/machines/hffs-machines/

Automatic Milk Packaging for better business prospects

As per the National Dairy Development Board and Crisil research estimates, Indiaproduces around 3.80 million litres per day (LPD) of milk, accounting for a fifth of global output. About 40 per cent of this is retained by producers (farmers) for household consumption. Another 41 per cent share is with the unorganised segment. The remaining 19 per cent is procured, processed and sold through organised dairies.

Milk Packaging Machine

According to a Business Standard review last year, as the Rs 4 lakh-crore Indian dairy industry catches the fancy of corporate giants, the sector is estimated to see investments worth Rs 9,000-10,000 crore over the next five years.

Besides multinational players, new Indian companies are jumping to grab a share of this growing market, albeit with a regional, paced-out approach. For example, Mahindra & Mahindra have recently launched its Saboro brand in Indore with liquid poly-pouch milk. The company plans to introduce value-added products like ghee, curd, lassi and buttermilk later. 

FMCG major, ITC has forayed into dairy with Aashirvaad Svasti pure cow ghee. ITC has set up a dairy plant in Munger and the ghee was launched in select southern markets as the company is taking a regional approach and the ghee is customised to cater to local preferences.

Partnering with the growing number of players in the dairy business is Nichrome, leading automatic packaging machine manufacturer. A pioneer in milk pouch packaging, Nichrome developed India’s first indigenous milk filling machine in 1976-77.

Nichrome provides world-class quality milk and dairy packaging machinesthat can help to increase business while preserving the quality of your product. Nichrome provides total support to customers, right from consultation and customized machine development to extensive after sales services! Operating in 45+ countries apart from India, Nichrome has 7000+ successful installations worldwide!

Nichrome’s Filpack Series, a range of sturdy, and hi-performance milk packaging machines that are market leaders for their accuracy, speed and low wastage. The Filpack 12K is India’s fastest milk pouch packaging machine, packing a record 12,000 pouches per hour.

Milk Pouch Packaging Machine

Filpack 6K, 10K and 12K offer a choice of pouch width options – 100 mm, 125 mm and 150 mm, in sizes of 200 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml. The machines have a complete stainless steel structure, with digital heat control system for maximum accuracy and a separate control panel box. It has an inbuilt jumbo roll and a web tracking attachment. Recipes can be set and quantity can be changed through the HMI alone and machine automations can be remotely accessed. The installed insulated tanks maintain product temperature and minimize energy loss. 

Filpack 6K, 10K and 12K

Nichrome’s expertise extends to other products of the dairy industry as well. The Filpack CMD and Filpack Servo SMD are two more accurate, hi-speed dairy products packaging machines that offer a variety of pouch formats and output speeds. The Filpack CMD is ideally suited for packaging of milk and milk-based products such as flavoured milk, lassi, curd, etc. besides liquid product packaging for water, juice, etc. For hygienic ghee pouch packaging, the Filpack Servo SMD comes with an enclosed SS cabinet construction. UV sterilization of the packaging film is inbuilt. Besides ghee, the Filpack Servo SMD is ideal for other viscous dairy products such as fresh cream, dairy pastes & bread spreads.

Dairy Products Packaging Machines

To discover the most fitting packaging solution for your dairy business, talk to Nichrome. The expertise, experience and range Nichrome offers is guaranteed to deliver the optimal solution for your needs and budget.

www.nichrome.com