Multivac launches thermoforming packaging machine for plastic or aluminum snack packs

12 Jul 2021 --- Multivac is launching a thermoforming packaging machine for producing vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for snack products. 

The F 286 thermoforming packaging machine’s main features are its high level of flexibility, efficiency and pack quality, and price-performance ratio. The machine is available for ordering now.

Plastic or aluminum compatibility
Multivac indicates the machine has been developed in response to the current market demand for snack packs, such as dried or roasted duck portions, beef jerky, small sausages or tofu. The company says this pack format has particularly high appeal in Asia.

According to Innova Market Insights, 76 percent of Chinese consumers, 73 percent of Indian consumers and 69 percent of Indonesian consumers believe aluminum packaging provides good or excellent product protection.

Meanwhile, 73 percent of Chinese consumers, 59 percent of Indian consumers and 42 percent of Indonesian consumers believe aluminum packaging provides good or excellent recyclability.The F 286 machine has been developed to meet the market demand for snack packs, such as beef jerky.

Packs made from plastic films or aluminum are compatible with the F 286. Aluminum packs are generally preferred in Asia as they offer a long shelf life due to their protection against UV light, the supplier explains.

“Due to the worldwide demand for healthy snacks, we are also expecting great interest in this model from other regions,” says Dominik Eberhard, team leader for product management (thermoforming packaging machines) at Multivac.

“The F 286 is aimed particularly at smaller and medium-sized businesses, which want to get into thermoforming packaging for the first time, or to pack smaller batch sizes more flexibly.”

“The machine is also designed for processors, who package their products today in film pouches on rotating filling and sealing machines. By moving to thermoformed packs, they can avoid high pouch costs, as well as increasing their personnel efficiency.”

Snack pack focus
The F 286 was designed for producing thermoformed packs with a forming depth of up to 20 mm.

With the optional upper web forming of 10 mm, replacing existing, symmetrically produced pouch packs is possible.

Thanks to its loading area of up to 3,000 mm, which can be extended flexibly, it is possible to achieve high pack outputs, even though the machine can also be accommodated in confined working environments.

The unloading area can be extended to fit printing solutions or other equipment components, meaning even an inkjet printer or additional cutting unit can be integrated into the machine.Multivac’s F 286 thermoforming packaging machine for producing vacuum and MAP packs for snacks.

High output
The F 286 achieves a high output of up to 240 packs per minute. Moreover, “very high” and uniform sealing forces combined with a high-performance forming station ensure that “excellent” pack results are achieved even with aluminum packs.

The machine is constructed in the Multivac Hygienic Design and offers easy access for cleaning and maintenance.

Various equipment options enable the machine to be designed to the customer’s individual requirements for output capability and the required printing or labeling process.

“All in all, we see the F 286 as a very efficient extension to our product range. It is an ideal solution for smaller and medium-sized businesses, particularly in those areas where pouches and small aluminum packs are being used today,” summarizes Eberhard.

“Aluminum is also an outstanding material when it comes to shelf life, enabling food waste through spoilage to be reduced significantly.”

In a similar launch, GEA recently introduced a new version of its skin thermoforming packaging technology – the PowerPak Skin.50 – for vacuum and MAP packing of sliced products, meat cut, sausages, fish, hard cheese and seafood.

Multivac also recently launched an efficient labeling solution for egg packs using its L 310 full wrap labeler, boosting product shelf appeal and providing a secure label.

By Joshua Poole