PMX for ground coffee & whole bean packs
Syntegon Technology is expanding its portfolio for coffee packaging machines with the PMX packaging machine for ground coffee and whole beans. News comes to us in end-January that the new machine can be used for different packaging formats thanks to fast format changes and full-corner-sealing. A modular concept enables manufacturers to react fast to changing market requirements and customer needs. At the same time, the PMX fulfills modern requirements with respect to sustainability and digitalization. It processes recyclable mono-materials and reduces energy and material usage through condition monitoring.
The PMX is composed of individual modules which make dosing and closing stations as well as the machine design individually configurable. Thanks to the modular structure, specific customer requirements can be realized while also achieving efficient output: the PMX packs up to 65 packages of 500 grams of whole coffee beans per minute. To reach an output of up to 100 packages per minute, the machine is also available as a double tube version. All stations are designed to process recycable packaging materials and valves made of mono-materials like polypropylene or polyethylene to meet the needs of sustainable value creation.
The PMX platform’s flexibility offers a crucial advantage for coffee manufacturers. 3D format changes on the closing unit can be achieved automatically at the push of a button. If the bag cross-section format is changed, the machine will be ready for use again after just 30 minutes. It is therefore suitable for small, medium and large packaging formats – various bag variants and closing elements can be combined. The PMX produces coffee bags with package weights between 200 and 1200 grams, both with upright and downfolded top parts. The bags are reclosable via tin tie, labels or adhesive tape. If required, manufacturers can use an innovative spout closure through which the coffee beans are emptied out at the packaging side – a convenient feature, especially for end users. The ‘neutrafill’ process, in which the coffee is gas-flushed before and during the packaging process, ensures aroma protection.
Full-corner-sealing for attractive product presentation
To make the best use of the print area and ensure that the label is easy to read, the full-corner seal does not have longitudinal seams on the back of the packaging. “This type of sealing not only looks attractive on the shelf, but also pays off in terms of sustainability. By positioning the full-corner-sealing module in the front area of the forming tube, the packaging materials can be retracted within just a few cycles – which reduces the loss of material significantly,” says Dr Hans Albrecht, project manager at Syntegon.
Lowering the height of the machine reduces the cycle time, which enables higher packaging speeds. This also results in a lower drop height for the coffee beans, which reduces the breakage rate and rejects, significantly – and leads to better ergonomics for format changes. The full-corner-sealing can be retrofitted to existing PMX machines at any time. Manufacturers can thus plan for the long term with the machine even in case of design or format changes.
To keep energy consumption as low as possible, the PMX is equipped with condition monitoring. In addition, the consumption of inert gas and packaging material can be digitally monitored and controlled. Machine data is collected in real time and clearly displayed on dashboards.
“Coffee is a popular product whose quality must be protected. Our goal was to develop an efficient packaging machine that offers manufacturers enough flexibility for future changes as well as meeting sustainability requirements,” emphasizes Christina Holm, product manager at Syntegon.
The Covid-19 pandemic led to the country-wide lockdown on 25 March 2020. It will be two years tomorrow as I write this. What have we learned in this time? Maybe the meaning of resilience since small companies like us have had to rely on our resources and the forbearance of our employees as we have struggled to produce our trade platforms.
The print and packaging industries have been fortunate, although the commercial printing industry is still to recover. We have learned more about the digital transformation that affects commercial printing and packaging. Ultimately digital will help print grow in a country where we are still far behind in our paper and print consumption and where digital is a leapfrog technology that will only increase the demand for print in the foreseeable future.
Web analytics show that we now have readership in North America and Europe amongst the 90 countries where our five platforms reach. Our traffic which more than doubled in 2020, has at times gone up by another 50% in 2021. And advertising which had fallen to pieces in 2020 and 2021, has started its return since January 2022.
As the economy approaches real growth with unevenness and shortages a given, we are looking forward to the PrintPack India exhibition in Greater Noida. We are again appointed to produce the Show Daily on all five days of the show from 26 to 30 May 2022.
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