Packing a punch: IMA Dairy & Food USA develops yogurt multipack separation tech for circular economy

13 Jul 2021 --- IMA Dairy & Food USA is launching a patented punch technology enabling multipack yogurt cups to be easily separated, supporting the shift to recyclable, mono-material packaging. 

Ideally suited to IMA’s Erca, Hassia, and Intecma brands of form-fill-seal (FFS) machines, the tools utilize a patented punch process providing high-quality cutting and precutting of PET, PP and PLA.

The punch allows multipacks to be easily broken into individual units. IMA Dairy & Food says this has previously been “a notoriously cumbersome process limiting the use of eco-friendly, mono-material packaging materials in many applications.”

The company’s Zero Technology tools are designed for manufacturers hoping to transition their packaging to more eco-conscious materials, such as PET, PP and PLA. 

Hassle-free separation
Zero Technology uses independent sleeves allowing cup design changes without the need to manufacture an entirely new thermoforming mold.

The solution can be easily dismantled for hassle-free maintenance, which can significantly extend the mold’s lifespan while maintaining peak performance, the company says.

Notably, outfitting a formed cup with a PET lid and label creates a completely recyclable package.

Shelf appeal
Additionally, the use of transparent mono-materials makes the product visible to consumers, enhancing on-shelf aesthetics. 

Other equipment in the Zero Technology range includes special pre-heating plates, which can be easily dismantled for simple maintenance.

Additional material savings can be realized by using special thermoforming molds allowing for the use of thinner materials.

“As consumer expectations and regional regulations change, manufacturers are confronted with a growing demand for more environmentally friendly, sustainable packaging solutions,” notes Patrick Carroll, president for IMA dairy & Food USA.

“The Zero Technology tooling range helps overcome certain manufacturing challenges that have historically limited the number of applications for which monomaterial packaging can be utilized.”

“The result is an expanded range of items that can be packaged with reduced environmental footprints.”

Packaging machine portfolio
IMA Dairy & Food USA serves the dairy and food industries with several brands, namely Corazza, Erca, Fillshape, Gasti, Hamba, Hassia and Intecma.

It offers a portfolio covering nearly all areas of packaging machine application, including:

• Filling and sealing machines (FS) for preformed cups and bottles
• Forming, filling and sealing machines (FFS) for packaging products in the food, dairy, and beverage segments (filled up to the aseptic level)
• Filling systems for flexible stand-up pouches with and without spout for dairy, food, beverage and personal care sectors
• Wrapping machines for packaging butter, fresh cheese, soup cubes, yeast, margarine, etc.
• Aseptic vertical and horizontal form, fill and seal machines for stick packs/pouches (with corresponding dosing systems)
• FFS machines for packaging single portions of coffee, honey, jam, etc.

Edited by Joshua Poole