Pack Expo 2023: Amcor, Cama, Sidel and Bobst answer evolving packaging industry challenges

31 Aug 2023 --- At next month’s Pack Expo in Las Vegas, US, September 11-13, packaging experts will represent their latest cross-industry innovations. Amcor, Cama Group (Cama), Sidel and Bobst are among the exhibitors, each presenting packaging solutions or machinery to compete in a changing and demand-driven industry.

Peter Wright, marketing manager at Amcor, expects sustainability, convenience, innovation, e-commerce, on-the-go lifestyles and efficiency to lead trends at the event. 

The company will present its Liquiflex Advance, a flexible packaging film developed to address the evolving needs of the vertical form fill seal (VFFS) packaging industry. The films are engineered to provide flexibility, durability and sustainability. The solutions are said to be “ideal” for various applications across foodservice product applications. 

“Liquiflex Advance films are designed to exceed the demands and packaging requirements of VFFS packaging machines. The films can be customized to accommodate any application, providing a versatile solution for different product categories. This flexibility enhances consumer experience and contributes to efficient manufacturing and distribution processes,” Wright tells Packaging Insights.

When asked how Amcor’s films compare to similar market solutions, Wright explains that Amcor Advance films focus on typical back-of-house food service applications, while Ambiloc films are a specific solution for the retortable market segment. 

Cama’s top loading system can package flow-wrapped packages such as snack bars and pouches.“Ambiloc is a high-barrier clear material that eliminates the need for foil-based packaging. Furthermore, this material was developed as a flexible alternative to cans and jars and provides a unique value proposition that improves storage by 25% versus metal cans,” he says. 

Wright highlights that there has been a noticeable shift in industry demand for flexible packaging across various industries. “This shift has been driven by several factors, including changing consumer preferences, sustainability concerns, convenience requirements and advancements in packaging technology,” he explains.

Cama’s top-loading systems
Cama will exhibit its IT series loading system with a 2-axis integrated robot at this year’s Pack Expo. As a part of Cama’s BreakThrough Generation (BTG) Series, the system features a Monoblock frame with a hygienic and ergonomic design. Key benefits of this machine include its flexibility, safe and easily accessible stainless-steel frame. 

“Our top loading systems can pack various products, including flow-wrapped packages such as snack bars, confectionery, cartons, pouches and bags,” Billy Goodman, managing director at Cama North America, tells us.

The Cama team will demonstrate its class-leading augmented reality (AR) technology at the event. “Cama’s AR Machine Assistant offers immersive, line-side support and helps simplify maintenance and spare parts, operation, changeovers and training, asserts Goodman.

In addition, Cama representatives will discuss its other secondary packaging solutions – including cartooning, case packing, tray packing, sleevers and robotic loading systems – and how they can help benefit businesses.

As many consumer packaged goods (CPGs) increase their demand for shelf-ready and sustainable packaging, Goodman says the company offers various solutions to do that. “Our FW WrapAround Case Packer features a compact footprint and can pack corrugated cases at a rate of 25 cpm. Wraparound cases offer significant material savings over traditional RSC or American cases,” he says.

Cama also offers a dedicated packaging department that consults with customers to provide suggestions on how to reduce materials and save costs. 

Sidel’s packaging line for FHPC industries
Sidel will apply multimedia tools to demonstrate its latest packaging equipment and services, highlighting the company’s solutions for the Food, Home and Personal Care (FHPC) industries in PET, can, glass, carton, pouches and other materials.Sidel RoboAccess_Pal S is a palletizing unit that delivers agility, operability and compactness to the FHPC markets.

Some of the latest solutions on display will be Sidel’s new flexible Cermex ProSelex infeed system for shaped bottles as well as its new RoboAccess_Pal S, a “uniquely” capable palletizing solution that delivers improved agility, operability and compactness to the Food, Home, and Personal Care (FHPC) industries.

“From digital and complete line solutions to aseptic technology and palletizing, Sidel’s solutions enable customers to be creative with their products and achieve high levels of flexibility, operations and efficiency to meet current and future trends and challenges,” a Sidel spokesperson tells us.

“With expertise in eco-friendly packaging alternatives, from 100% recycled PET (rPET) and light-weighted primary packaging with tethered caps to optimized secondary and tertiary packaging alternatives, Sidel will show how it is ready to help customers meet the packaging market’s changing priorities.”

Bobst brings recyclable materials 
Bobst will share its latest developments in more sustainable packaging at Pack Expo 2023, presenting its new monomaterial, recyclable materials, OneBarrier PrimeCycle and FibreCycle. The Vision CI from the current range of Bobst CI flexo printing presses.

The OneBarrier range is recycle-ready while retaining barrier qualities, while PrimeCycle is a polymer-free solution for complete PE barrier applications. Additionally, FibreCycle is a full-paper option that helps the industry cope with increasing demand for more paper-based packaging options. 

Visitors to Bobst’s booth will also learn about its Vision CI Flexo press, a modular converter tool that offers leading performance for production lengths on a wide range of substrates.

Emilio Corti, business director of Americas at Bobst, remarks: “Making packaging more sustainable is one of the most significant – and the most pressing – challenges facing the modern packaging industry. Our OneBarrier solutions help converters meet their sustainability goals without compromising on barrier performance, enabling them to go further, faster on their journey toward net zero.”

“Both PrimeCycle and FibreCycle have important parts to play in improving the sustainability of your printing, and alongside our Vision CI Flexo press, this exhibit will show why Bobst is at the forefront of offering leading performance in the modern packaging industry,” concludes Corti.

By Natalie Schwertheim and Radhika Sikaria