SHIFTING TREND IN LIQUID PACKAGING – FROM RIGID TO FLEXIBLE

 

With changing trends in the packaging industry, it looks like rigid packaging for liquids is being overtaken by flexible packaging. While Centre Seal Pillow Pouches (CSPP) dominate the market, stand up pouches with spout are growing in popularity for the style, ease of usage and storage that they offer.

Any product of a runny consistency, be it water, milk, sauce, oil, juice or cleaning solution, needs strong and safe packaging that is light, clean and easy to use. Flexible packaging offers these and more advantages.

Why shift from rigid to flexible pouches?

There are many reasons to opt for flexible packaging:

- lighter with better portability for consumers on the go

- higher product to package ratio

- uses 60% less plastic than traditional plastic bottles

- requires approx. 50% less energy in production

- more efficient warehousing

- storage and transportation are cheaper and mess-free

Considerations before buying your liquid filling machine

If you’re planning to automate your liquid packaging, or change from rigid bottle packaging to pouch, there are few basic points to discuss with your liquid filling machine manufacturer.

1. Viscosity: Viscosity is defined as a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. A liquid with lower viscosity such as water or milk, flows easily while others like sauce, may not. Viscosity determines the type of filler used: it must induce flow with the right amount of force, yet ensure the packaging will not overfill.

2. Fill temperatures: This factor is also important when selecting a liquid filling machine, and more specifically, the product filler. When heated, most liquids flow more freely - so accurate fill temperature is essential.

3. Size of particulates, if any: Liquids like sauces, salad dressings, buttermilk, lassi, juice, etc. often contain particulates which are either suspended in the product or settle towards the bottom of the fluid. For such products, a clear understanding of the particulates, their size and properties is required to provide the optimal filler for the most accurate and free-flowing dispensing.

Nichrome’s automatic liquid filling machines

Nichrome offers a wide range of liquid packaging solutions for milk, water, juice, wine and other liquids. All the machines are designed for hygienic and accurate filling, built for reliable and efficient performance long-term. Here are some of Nichrome's proven performers, at a glance:

Filpack Servo 12K

-          fastest liquid pouch packaging machine - 12000 pouches/hr.

-          packs CSPP pouches of 200ml, 500ml, 1000ml

-          product contact parts of stainless steel for hygienic operations

-          UV film sterilisation system for packaging material

FilpackServo Universal

-          high speed versatile machine

-          for both liquid and viscous applications

-          output speeds up to 5000 pouches/hr.

-          available in a double head combo filler model so you can fill viscous on one head and liquid on the         other

Filpack CMD Alpha

-          built shorter and more compact

-          no side opening so occupies less floor space

-          impulse seal system controlled by solid state control

-          twin heads to pack two different products at the same time

Filpack CMS 5L

-          for both liquid and viscous applications

-          pneumatic filling system for better consistency

-          liquids packed at 800 pouches/hr; viscous at 400 pouches/hr.

-          enclosed SS cabinet and SS 304 product contact parts

T-110, T-140, T-170

-          HFFS series with new gen linear technology

-          PLC based

-          compact design

-          duplex models for higher outputs

Conclusion

If you’re thinking of shifting from rigid to flexible packaging for your industry; if you want to market your liquid product in modern stand up pouches; if you want a liquid filling machine manufacturer who will tailor to your specs – Nichrome is your one-stop source.

With four decades of experience in the packaging sector, over 7000 successful installations across 45 countries worldwide, and comprehensive design and engineering capabilities, Nichrome is well-equipped to provide the best liquid packing machine for your application.

In fact, Nichrome can deliver more than just the best liquid filling machine. Secondary packaging systems, upstream or downstream integration, training of your staff, maintenance support – Nichrome offers it all. No wonder Nichrome is the preferred provider of integrated packaging solutions for Indian industry, for years.

Dairy Packaging Solutions by Nichrome

Since Nichrome innovated the first indigenous milk pouch packaging machine in the 1970s, the company has been growing its expertise and developing technology for milk and dairy packaging. Today, as India's leading integrated packaging solutions provider, Nichrome offers the fastest milk packaging machine besides many other automated dairy packaging solutions for liquid, powder and viscous products in the dairy industry.

Nichrome’s VFFS Machines for Dairy packaging

Nichrome's Filpack Series present trendsetting technology for milk and dairy packaging. The Filpack Servo 12K 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.

The Filpack Servo 6K delivers accurate and well-sealed CSPP pouches at a speed of 6000 packs/hour. Applications include milk, flavoured milk, lassi, buttermilk, curd.

The Filpack series also includes:

Filpack CMS 5L
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.

Liquids are packed at a speed of 800 pouches/hour, while viscous products are packed at 400 pouches/hour.

Filpack CMD Alpha
Another efficient packaging solution for milk and other liquids. Built substantially shorter than conventional machines, it also occupies less floor space as no side opening is required.

The impulse seal system is controlled through solid state control technology, and there is a specially designed film roll unwinding mechanism for smooth bag pulling.

Filpack CMD Alpha 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 Servo Universal
The nextgen solution for dairy packaging. A high speed, versatile performer, Filpack Servo Universal serves multiple applications in both free flowing liquid (milk, buttermilk, etc.) and viscous (cream, ghee, kefir, etc.).

Pack quantity ranges from 200 ml to 1000 ml, and output speed goes up to 5000 packs per hour.

Filpack Servo Universal 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.

All Filpack packaging machines are heavy duty performers with simple maintenance-friendly construction. They are built for hygiene with product contact parts of SS304 stainless steel and a UV film sterilisation system for the packaging material.

Optional accessories include insulated balance tanks for energy saving, SCADA system, automatic CIP system, automatic pouch counting & crating systems, and more.

In VFFS packaging machines, Nichrome also offers the multi lane PV-215. For a wide range of applications, PV-215's intermittent motion technology ensures efficient sealing with a bagger speed of 1000 pouches per minute.

Nichrome’s HFFS Series

Nichrome's HFFS packaging machines bring new generation, linear technology from Totpack, Spain. The Totpack Series is versatile, and can be used for packing a wide range of dairy powders, liquids and viscous products such as ghee using different fillers. The Series also offers a range of pouch formats with superior pouch aesthetics.

The HFFS machines are PLC based machines with touch screen interface. The compact and versatile design offers both single and perforated chain of pouches with quick and easy changeover. Well designed duplex modules are available for higher outputs.

Nichrome's current HFFS machines range includes T110, T140 and T170.

Nichrome’s Bottle & Tin Packaging

Nichrome has recently expanded its offerings beyond pouch packaging to bottle packaging and tin packaging. Nichrome offers an efficient integrated system for bottle filling and packaging that covers a turntable, UV sterilisation chamber, automatic liquid filling machine, cap feeding elevator, rotary capping machine, induction sealer, labeling machine, date & batch coding system, and packing table.

SKUs range from 100 ml to 20 ltrs. Applications include a wide range of food & beverage liquids such as flavoured milk & buttermilk; viscous products such as ghee, chocolate sauce and more.

Nichrome's tin filling line is a sturdy, low-maintenance system made for accurate and efficient performance. The PLC-controlled line has a digital LCD touch screen displaying settings, and safety enclosures with interlocks for rotary parts.

Machine construction is available in SS3014, SS316 and MS painted material. Various tin sterilisation and cleaning options are available. Applications include milk powder, dairy-based health drink powders, baby food, etc.

For the most innovative packaging solutions and customized packaging systems for your specific needs in the dairy business, connect with Nichrome.

What to look for in a Liquid Packaging Machine

Nichrome VFFS Machines - Stickpack

Milk and Liquid Packaging Machines

When buying a liquid packaging machine, there are 4 main aspects to consider: Speed, Hygiene, and Accuracy and Robust design.

A milk packaging machine (or any liquid filling machine) should provide high speed pouch filling performance, while maintaining the freshness of the packaged liquid products. Since it is handling an edible liquid, hygiene is vital, so the machine should be built to international safety and hygiene standards, and be easy to clean.

Accuracy is essential, not just in terms of minimal wastage, but also consistency.  Robust design refers to usability, with regard to operator interface, ease of changeover and low maintenance, and durability – so your investment delivers best ROI for years.

Another useful feature is flexibility, that is, the ease with which the same machine can be used for packaging items other than milk or liquids. Some automatic liquid filling machines are available with versatile filler options, appropriate for packaging a variety of products, like powders, grains, pastes, pulps, solids, etc. This allows manufacturers to use the same automatic packaging machine for packaging various kinds of products by easily switching between fillers.

Other features to look for are energy efficiency, small machine footprint and quantity range which will enable you to offer multiple pouch sizes to widen your market reach.

The surest way to ensure you invest in a reliable machine is to purchase it from a reputed packaging machine manufacturer. Nichrome is a pioneer and leader in feature-rich and reliable milk and liquid packaging machines. Nichrome’s innovative packaging solutions include a wide range of Vertical-Form-Fill-Seal (VFFS) and Horizontal-Form-Fill-Seal (HFFS) machines for packing different liquids in varied pouch formats.

Nichrome’s Filpack machines are high-speed market leaders, packing liquids such as Plain Milk, Flavored Milk, Lassi, Juice, Mineral Water, etc. besides viscous products such as Edible Oils and Vanaspati.

Nichrome also offers a range of HFFS machines with Spanish Totpack technology. These are versatile packaging machines with a wide range of applications from liquids and viscous to powders and granular products.

To find the machine that’s just right for your needs and applications, visit www.nichrome.com