G Mondini-Ulma launches tray skin solution for tray sealing

G Mondini-Ulma Ltd, market leaders in top sealing technology, have introduced a tray skin solution for use with its EVO and Trave range of machines, which it hopes will revolutionise the sealing of meat, poultry, fish and ready meals.

The system, developed by G Mondini-Ulma technicians, produces a high visibility vacuum pack on a pre-formed tray providing additional shelf life, better meat quality and reduced packaging on a low profile tray.

Traditionally vacuum packed products have been produced on a thermoformer, but the Mondini system offers total flexibility on the types of materials which can be used and gives an added value appearance to vacuum packed products.

The latest range of Mondini machines offer unique multi format opportunities. The same machine can be used for MAP tray sealing, tray skin packing, Super protruding skin packing and more. These high speed machines offer producers flexibility and future proofing against change in customer demands

Initially, G Mondini-Ulma will be offering customers three solutions, 'standard skin' which is ideal for low profile items such as cuts of meat and small fish, 'protruding skin' for ready meals, steaks, meat portions and whole fish, and Super protruding for large meat joints, turkey crowns etc. A key benefit for meat applications is that meat joints can continue maturing in the pack, therefore adding further product value. Other benefits of the new tray skin pack include the option for cooking in the packaging using a micro-waving application.

G Mondini-Ulma Director, Alan Bickerton, comments: "The technology's secret lies in how the G Mondini-Ulma machines handle the films, which is highly complicated and based on a proven technical system for heating and cooling the films to produce a "true" skin seal. We envisage that the tray skin vacuum pack will become a common solution for retailers across most sectors, particularly where there is a need to differentiate the product with enhanced packaging and increased visibility on the supermarket counter.
"The current drivers in the market are those involved in supplying beef, pork, lamb, chicken and also fish."

So far this year the solution has only been available to a limited number of very large customers but with further technological advances the packing is to be offered to everyone. The company believes that the improved presentation will allow retailers to improve their product margins, whilst at the same time consumers will benefit from enhanced storage time.

The new Trave range incorporates the flexibility of the multi format options, and at the same time provides the highest industry speeds for top sealing ranging from 40 to 240 packs per minute. One simple and quick tool change can be used to easily switched to tray skin production, foil trays, Mirabella and other formats - using the same line for loading and labelling.

Source: G Mondini-Ulma Ltd