TRAY SEALING SIMPLIFIED BY NICHROME

 

Companies in the food & beverage industry know how critical packaging is for keeping food fresh and preventing deterioration. Packaging also plays a crucial role in attracting customers and making the food easily transportable. Tray sealing is a newish trend that looks like it's here to stay.

Nichrome is happy to introduce you to this new technology for food packaging.

What are Tray Sealers?

Tray sealers are automated packaging machines that apply plastic film lids to trays of varying materials, sizes, shapes and depths. They are also known as heat sealers, top sealers or tray lidding machines. The versatility of this technology makes it the optimal solution for packaging fresh produce, meats, frozen meals, ready-made meals, snacks and more. In India, their application is growing in the snacks and sweetmeats section with a large number of mithai and savoury items being packaged in thermoformed trays.

How do Tray Sealers work?

Tray Sealers come in two basic formats: semi-automatic and automatic. The process begins with the product-filled trays entering the in-feed conveyor where they get indexed and spaced. They are then picked up by a transfer beam to be transferred within the tooling. The seal plate picks up the product-filled trays and lifts them against the film. The film and trays are then compressed against the heated upper tooling to activate the sealing properties against the tray, while simultaneously cutting the film. Finally, after the necessary seal dwell time has elapsed, the seal station lowers the trays back down and ejects them to the out-feed of the machine.

Tray Sealers from Nichrome

Nichrome, India’s leading provider of automatic packaging machines and integrated packaging solutions has tied up with Tecnovac, Italy to bring the latest MAP tray sealing technology to India’s food industry. The offerings include:

Athena: This is an automatic tray sealer for small to medium production scale, designed for longevity and continuous operation in aggressive environments. The simple and intuitive interface makes it the best choice for most users. Athena is capable of packaging in modified atmosphere any combination of compatible trays and top film studied for such applications. Thanks to the Athena’s strong stainless steel structure, easy maintenance and conformity to hygienic requirements, this machine is ideal for use in small and medium sized companies.

Athena is available in different versions: only sealing, sealing and MAP, sealing/MAP/SKIN, and for trays up to 250mm high.

Olympia: This semi-automatic machine has been designed to package food in sealing alone, in a modified atmosphere or with “SKIN effect”. The compact size and simple use make this machine the ideal choice for those entering the world of professional packaging.

Built entirely in stainless steel, it is fitted with the best components on the market to guarantee performance and reliability.

Olympia too is available in different versions: sealing alone, sealing/gas-vacuum, sealing/gas-vacuum/SKIN-SKIN PROTRUDING, and for high packages up to 250 mm.

Olympia PRO: The Olympia PRO model has been developed to easily pack foods in pre-formed trays.

 

The semi-automatic configuration with the rotary table and the two vacuum chambers, maximizes the production! In fact, during the packaging cycle, it’s possible to unload and load up the second chamber, increasing productivity.

Why Nichrome?

Since Nichrome developed India's first indigenous milk packaging machine in 1977, they have been at the forefront of next-generation packaging technologies; a brand trusted for its rich legacy of pioneering innovation, extensive domain knowledge and manufacturing competency in packaging systems.

For enterprises big and small, for applications existing and emerging, Nichrome offer infinite possibilities in integrated, automated packaging solutions - as they partner with customers through the complete lifecycle, offering application-specific solutions, backed by dependable service and support.

Based in Pune, India, Nichrome’s sales & service network spans India and the world. They have presence in 45 countries and more than 10,000 successful installations worldwide.

Conclusion

Nichrome's tray sealing solutions, for mithai manufacturers and makers of Indian snacks, ready meals, fresh produce, etc., the Tecnovac range offers unmatched advantages, matched by Nichrome's proven expertise, sales & service network, and sound installation support.

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.

Packaging Machine Manufacturers - Why Nichrome?

 

The Indian Packaging Industry is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 26.7% in the period between 2020-2025. Growing populations, higher incomes, changing lifestyles, and the developing economy are the reasons behind this rapid growth. Major investments in the personal care, food processing and pharmaceutical industries are avenues of growth and expansion. The rise of India’s e-commerce industry is also fuelling this growth. 

Modern retail/department stores, with their overflowing shelves, provide clear indications of how the number and variety of packaged goods are increasing exponentially.

In this day and age, machines are employed to pack almost all types of consumer goods including pharmaceuticals, snacks, foods and beverages, electronics and electrical products and many more. Flexible packaging machines are overtaking the manual packaging process, with the capacity to perform the same process with much greater accuracy, lower manpower needs, and at a much greater speed and efficiency.

 If you’re a manufacturer, it must be patently obvious that automated packaging is the need of the hour to be able to compete in the crowded marketplace.

Reasons to invest in automated packaging machines 

The benefits of automated packaging are well known and proven. Automated packaging machines help producers: 

●     Increase efficiency

●     Boost capacity

●     Extend the shelf life of the product

●     Save on labour costs and human errors

●     Eliminate safety hazards caused by manual operations

●     Reduce material costs 

How to choose the right packaging machine manufacturer

 Automatic packaging machines can be considered expensive propositions. Ipso facto, one needs to be sure that he/she is making the right choice to ensure that his/her packaging machine manufacturer has what it takes to deliver the best solution. 

There may be a huge list of packaging machine manufacturers in India and whether you are on the lookout for packaging machine manufacturers in Mumbai, packaging machine manufacturers in Delhi or in any other city, you have to evaluate your supplier on the basis of the 6 points mentioned below:

Experience: How long has the packaging machine manufacturer been conducting business? Do they have a rich legacy and track record? Nichrome can boast of more than 4 decades of experience working on different applications in diverse industry verticals. A pioneer since 1977, Nichrome has remarkably improved its capabilities and offerings, and now offers the widest range and domain expertise among packaging machine manufacturers in India. 

Manufacturing: Are the machines being marketed manufactured by the supplier itself? Or are there dealers or multiple packaging machine manufacturers? Nichrome is an established packaging machine manufacturer in Pune for more than four decades now and has amassed world-class capabilities and infrastructure for manufacturing. This manufacturing expertise ensures that Nichrome has control over the construction and quality of the products they sell.

Design: With a strong thrust on R&D, Nichrome works continuously to improve upon its products and to introduce innovative solutions for specific applications. Nichrome has developed a range of filling systems to enhance the versatility of its packaging machines. Just changing the filler changes your  milk packaging machine into a viscous or Powder packaging machine. 

Customer Focus: Does the supplier just offer the basic packaging machine, negotiate the price and deliver the machine or does it assess and evaluate your requirements? Nichrome is a solution-driven, customer-focused packaging machine manufacturer that believes in being a partner for the best business results. Taking time and effort to understand customer needs, specific application requirements and limitations such as space, manpower, budget etc., Nichrome uses its decades of expertise and technical know-how to customize the optimal solution. 

Service: Does the supplier provide good service? Is your location covered? Are there sufficient spare parts available? Nichrome’s nationwide network of sales and service provides reliable and prompt support throughout the lifecycle of the machine. Nichrome delivers on time, carries out proper installation and commissioning, trains your workforce, and provides efficient post-sales service and genuine spare parts when needed.

Quality: Lastly, we consider Quality. In the case of big investments such as packaging machines, you will need to be confident that your purchase is the most effective and one that will deliver great performance, longevity and significant ROI. Nichrome’s brand has grown to be synonymous with Quality having built a stellar reputation over four decades in the business. All of Nichrome’s materials, manufacturing processes and products meet the latest, world-class Quality standards and certifications.

Conclusion 

While it may be easy to decide to go in for automated packaging, it is slightly more difficult to choose the right machine and manufacturer. You should preferably go in for a packaging machine manufacturer in India who has the right technology, quality and reputation, and will also partner with you through the entire cycle - analysing your needs, allaying your doubts and recommending the most cost-effective solution.

Nichrome’s strong belief in being a dependable and helpful partner allows them to suggest and even customize the optimal solution for customers. Nichrome partners with customers and assists them right from the first enquiry to the commissioning and onwards. Nichrome also helps train the customers’ staff on operating the new machine. Get in touch with Nichrome today for your automated packaging system requirements.

Dairy And Milk Packaging Solutions From Nichrome

 Since developing the first indigenous milk pouch packagingmachine in the 1970s, Nichrome has been growing its expertise and developing technology for milk and dairy packaging. In the present day, Nichrome is India’s leading integrated packaging solutions provider and offers the fastest milk packaging machine in addition to other automated dairy packaging solutions for liquid, powder and viscous products in the dairy industry.

VFFS Machines for Dairy Packaging 

The Filpack Series from Nichrome presents pathbreaking technology for milk and dairy packaging. The Filpack Servo 12K, with a speed of 12,000 packs/hour is the fastest milk pouch packaging machine. It can pack CSPP pouches of 200 ml, 500 ml and 100 ml with proficiency and accuracy.

Another machine from the Filpack Series is the Filpack Servo 6K that delivers accurate and properly sealed CSPP pouches at a speed of 6000 packs/hour. The applications of this machine include milk, flavoured milk, lassi, buttermilk, curd.

The Filpack Series also includes:

Filpack CMS 5L

The Filpack CMS 5L from Nichrome is a more versatile machine that can package both liquids and viscous products with a pneumatic filling system for better filling consistency. This machine fills and seals pouches of larger quantities - up to 5500 ml in CSPP format.

The packaging speed goes up to 800 pouches/hour for liquids while it is 400 pouches/hour for viscous products.

Filpack CMD Alpha 

The Filpack CMD Alpha is another effective packaging solution for milk and other liquids. This machine is significantly shorter than conventional machines and occupies less floor space as no side opening is required.

Solid-state control technology controls the impulse seal system while there is a specially designed film roll unwinding mechanism for snag-free bag pulling. 

This machine comes with twin heads so it is possible to pack two different products at the same time. One can even carry out maintenance on one head while the other is in use. 

Filpack Servo Universal 

This machine is a nextgen solution for dairy packaging. Filpack Servo Universal is a high speed, versatile performer that serves multiple applications in both free-flowing (milk, buttermilk, etc) and viscous liquids (cream, ghee, etc).

 The pack size from this machine ranges from 200 ml to 1000 ml, with output speed reaching up to 5000 packs per hour. 

The Double Head Combo model of the Filpack Servo Universal enables customers to fill viscous products on one head and liquid on the other. 

Nichrome’s Filpack packaging machines are heavy-duty performers with simple, maintenance-friendly construction. With product contact parts made of SS304 stainless steel and a UV film sterilization system for the packaging material, the Filpack machines are built for hygiene. 

Optional accessories like balance tanks, SCADA system, automatic CIP system, automatic pouch counting & crating systems etc are available.

Nichrome’s HFFS Series 

Bringing in new generation, linear technology, Nichrome’s HFFS packaging machines are versatile and can be used for packing a wide range of dairy powders, liquids and viscous products such as ghee using different fillers. This series of machines also offers superior pouch aesthetics along with a range of pouch formats. 

These machines from Nichrome are based on PLCs and have a touchscreen interface. The HFFS machines are compact and adaptable and offer both single and perforated chains of pouches with a quick and easy changeover.

 Nichrome’s current range of HFFS machines includes the T110, T140 and T170. 

Conclusion 

Since its pathbreaking start, Nichrome’s capacity and offerings for milk packaging have grown and evolved with every passing decade. Nichrome offers automated packaging machines and integrated packaging systems for a wide variety of dairy products that are liquid (milk, buttermilk, flavoured milk), viscous (ghee, curd) or powders (milk powder). 

Nichrome’s dairy packaging machines and systems bring with them certain common benefits such as compact maintenance-friendly construction, high-speed performance, requisite hygiene standards and accurate filling and sealing. 

Nichrome’s mini milk dairy plant opens the doors to business opportunities for small farmers. Nichrome customises the solution after partnering with customers to study individual requirements, needs and constraints. Nichrome works hard to ensure that training farmers and their staff to operate the machine is easy and hassle-free.

Nichrome helps even small dairy farmers gain access to modern technology thereby opening the door to productivity and profitability.

Nichrome: Making A Mark In The Ever-Changing Packaging World

 

The packaging sector is at a turning point in its history. Today, more than ever, companies need high performance machinery that meets quality and productivity requirements.

Environmental concerns are forcing the packaging industry to reinvent itself, especially through the use of eco-friendly materials that are less energy-intensive, more easily recycled.While plastic is widely used thanks to its many advantages especially its low weight per unit, glass and metal containers are making a comeback in certain categories, driven by environmental concerns. Even the flexible packaging industry is looking for biodegradable materials.

So packaging is continuously evolving. Technological innovations and growing automation have transformed the industry. Some of the most noticeabledevelopments include:

Connectivity: The various functions involved in packaging are integrated thanks to automation. Users get a clearer picture of the various sub-processesand plant conditions which helps to improve maintenance and optimise packaging processes.

Digital engineering: Most processes are now digitised; manual operations have been replaced by automated speed and accuracy. Errors in the process canalso be identified and rectified sooner with digital engineering.

Space saving: The packaging machinery industry is adopting modular machine configuration and re-designing equipment to save space and reduce machine footprint.

Simplicity: The ability of companies to integrate new machines or lines easily into existing systems is essential for them to adapt to the changing technology.The growing need to simplify diagnostics and maintenance is giving birth to more web-based service tools and innovative machine concepts.

NICHROME’S PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

Since Nichrome developed India's first indigenous milk packaging machine in 1977, it has been at the forefront of next-generation packaging technologies; a brand trusted for its rich legacy of pioneering innovation, extensive domain knowledge and manufacturing competency in packaging systems.

For enterprises big and small, for applications existing and emerging, Nichrome offers infinite possibilities in integrated, automated packaging solutions. With its strong thrust on R&D, Nichrome partners with customers through the complete lifecycle, offering application-specific solutions, backed by dependable service and support.

It could be a small variation in a pouch format or customization of an existing machine; a pro-actively developed filling system or consultancy & system design for a complete packaging plant - Nichrome has the expertise, capabilities and innovation to transform productivity and enrich customer relationships in endless ways.

Based in Pune, India, Nichrome’s sales & service network spans India and the world. It has presence in 45 countries and more than 7000 successful installations worldwide.

NICHROME’S OFFERINGS

Horizontal packaging machine, verticalform fill seal machine, tray sealing machine, multilane sachet packaging machine, bottle or tin filling line, blister packaging machine, mini dairy plants, complete end-to-end integrated packaging system, filling systems - the gamut of Nichrome's offeringsis vast and comprehensive.

Nichrome designs and manufactured automated packaging machines for almost any application in Food, Pharma and other verticals.

Nichrome is among the leading edible oil filling machine manufacturers who is equally adept at supplying powder filling machines, salt packaging machines, ketchuppackaging machines, milk packaging or grain packaging machines. The Nichrome portfolio also includes shampoo packing machines, cosmeticpackaging machine, tablet & capsule packaging lines and even packaging solutions for pet food, dyes & pigments, adhesives, agrochemicals & fertilisers. Indeed the list of applications is endless.

Nichrome’s inhouse R&D works tirelessly to upgrade existing machinery and innovate new solutions that meet the challenges of the times. Compact footprint, advanced technology, high speed performance, ease of operations and long service life are the hallmark of Nichrome’s packaging machines. Nichrome ensures that its machines can be easily integrated (upward or downward) into existing plant systems, and can also be modified to adapt to some changing needs.

A contemporary feature of Nichrome’s machines is the DOIT (data over Internet) which uses Cloud connectivity to provide anytime, anywhere access of the packaging machine. Users can monitor, evaluate and even change machine operation parameters from any connected device, anywhere in the world.

Today, more than four decades since Nichrome developed India’s first indigenous milk pouch packaging machine, Nichrome continues to make a mark on the packaging world, leading the way with innovation, technology, quality and service that enhances productivity and profitability for its customer’s business.

Integrated Milk Packaging System from Nichrome India

When it comes to milk packaging, the expertise and experience of Nichrome India is well known. It all started four decades ago when Nichrome designed and manufactured India's first indigenous milk pouch packaging machine, in response to the Government of India's call for affordable, indigenous packaging technology to support and enable India's White Revolution. The first Filpack machine was commissioned at Kurla Dairy, Mumbai where the commercial distribution of milk pouches was started on 7th March 1977.

Since then, Nichrome's capabilities and offerings for milk packaging have grown and developed with every passing decade. Today, Nichrome offers automated packaging machines and integrated packaging systems for a wide variety of dairy products including liquid (milk, buttermilk, flavoured milk), viscous (ghee, vanaspati, curd)and  powders (dairy whiteners, milk powder). 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.

Nichrome Milk Packaging System

Nichrome offers a trendsetting primary packaging + secondary packaging combo for the milk industry. It comprises Nichrome's Filpack Servo 12K and a Milk Pouch Crating System.

Filpack Servo 12K

This machine is the pride of Nichrome's milk packaging portfolio. It is the fastest milk pouch packaging machine, with a speed of 12,000 packs/hour.

Features of Filpack Servo 12K:

• CSPP pouches of co-extruded virgin LDPE in accurate quantities of 200 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml

• Independent balance tanks offer flexibility to handle single or different products simultaneously

• Also packs flavoured milk, lassi, juice, mineral water and other free-flow liquids

• Spillage and wastage is minimal.

• Complete stainless steel structure, digital heat control system for maximum accuracy and a separate control panel box.

• Inbuilt jumbo roll and a web tracking attachment.

 • Recipes can be set and quantity can be changed through the HMI alone!

• A remote control can be used for machine operation and machine automations can be remotely accessed through a modern ‘Data Over Internet’ feature.

• The installed insulated tanks maintain product temperature and minimize energy loss.

As flexible milk pouches are not self-supporting, they generally need secondary packaging. Also, as pouches are packed at high speeds by Nichrome's Filpack Servo 12K milk filling machine, lifting them manually in crates for transportation is not only slow, but could be inaccurate too.

Automatic Milk Pouch Crating System.

Nichrome's Automatic Milk Pouch Crating System offers a complementary secondary packaging solution to count & fill pouches in crates in synchronization with Nichrome's high speed Filpack Servo 12K machine. The entire process becomes systematic, automated and fast. It helps to maintain quality and food safety standard as well as keep count of the number of pouches and crates.

Advantages of Nichrome's Crating System:

• System can be customized as per customer layout and number of machines

• Total end of line solution from crate washing center to cold storage

• Fully automatic so reduces labour

• Provides hygienic and modern secondary packing process

• Improves productivity

• Independent of speed of machines / number of heads

• Independent of volume of pouches

• Each crate is filled with correct pouch count

• System has optional features of data logging and online crate weighing.  The entire production data can be logged and saved on Cloud or central server system

• Optional Online Leak Detection Mechanism whereby each pouch from the conveyor passes through a pressing conveyor which removes excess air from the pouch through which the operator can easily differentiate leaky pouches.

Conclusion

So if you're looking for a seamlessly integrated milk packaging system that delivers efficient, trouble-free performance every day for years, contact Nichrome. Nichrome will study your operations, requirements, space and facilities, and customize the complete solution for you. So you get a primary packaging machine plus secondary packaging solution - integrated and tailored for optimization of space, performance and resources.

For more details about the milk packaging system, or other cutting-edge integrated packaging solutions, contact www.nichrome.com

 

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

Integrated Primary and Secondary Packaging Solutions for the Milk Industry

As one of India’s leading milk packaging machine manufacturers, Nichrome has proven credentials in primary packaging of milk. Nichrome’s Filpack Series of milk filling machines and dairy packaging machines cater to a full gamut of milk and dairy packaging requirements. Filpack Servo 12K is blazing trails in dairy product packaging with its super speed of 12000 pouches per hour, while Filpack Servo 10K (10000 per hour) and 6K (6000 per hour), are the ideal choice for packaging of ghee, lassi and fresh cream, among other applications.

To complement their high-speed milk pouch packaging solutions, Nichrome offers an automatic Milk Pouch Crating System. As flexible milk pouches are not self-supporting, they generally need secondary packaging. Also, as pouches are packed at high speeds by Nichrome's Filpack Servo range of milk packaging machines, lifting them manually in crates for transportation is not only slow, but could be inaccurate too.

This secondary packaging system provides total end of line solution from crate washing center to cold storage, and helps to maintain quality and food safety standard as well as keep count of the number of pouches and crates. The Automatic Milk Pouch Crating System counts & fills pouch in crates in synchronization with high speed Filpack Servo 12K machines.

Filpack Servo 12K Machines

The system also offers an optional Online Leak Detection Mechanism whereby each pouch from the pouch take-up conveyor passes through a pressing conveyor which removes excess air from leakage pouch through which the operator can easily differentiate leaky pouches.

By automating and integrating the primary and secondary packing process, milk manufacturers can save labour, time and space while improving productivity and ensuring correct pouch count and control of operations. Nichrome’s solutions also offer the optional features of data logging and online crate weighing. The entire production data can be logged and saved on Cloud or central server system.

A special advantage of this combined solution is that it can be customized as per requirements and available space – so customers get an integrated packaging solution tailored for optimization of space, performance and resources.

For more details, contact www.nichrome.com

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

Touching Million Lives

Touching Million Lives

Whether it is the nutraceutical powder prescribed by the doctor or the sugar or coffee mix at your favourite cafe, Nichrome’s Multilane Stickpack packs it with foolproof accuracy and consistency in hygienic, single-serve stickpacks.

Touching Million Lives