Dairy Processing - March/April 2024 - 47

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Flow wrap packaging enables processors to advance
sustainability goals by reducing the amount of plastic used,
Crouch said. He said Harpak-ULMA often develops solutions
to replace a thermoform package with a flow wrap package to
reduce total plastic.
Amcor offers finishing technologies to help its customers'
brands perform better and stand out on shelves.
Flow wrap offers higher production speeds for cheese
products as opposed to others packaging formats, such
as shrink bags and forming/non-forming films, Klug said.
The flow wrap process also tends to be fully automated. In
contrast, using shrink bags for chunk cheese is slower and
could include some manual aspects.
Paxiom Group, Las Vegas, offers a variety of flow wrap
solutions for dairy processors from entry level to high-speed
with varying levels of robotics and automation including the
Sleek i65 inverted flow wrapper designed for products like
cheese that are more challenging to move.
There are hundreds, if not
thousands, of different structures
of film that can be used on a flow
wrap machine, and the composition
of those structures can really
play a good determining point of
successful production. "
Luis Pilonieta, Paxiom Group
Demand for flow wrap solutions is being driven by the
need for scalability and automation to advance production
while facing a challenging labor market, said Luis Pilonieta,
director of sales for Paxiom Group.
" A brand is built on not only your product, but also the
consistency that you can bring to the marketplace, from
quality, to timing, to inventory across the supply chain, "
Pilonieta said.
Processors are adding automation to ensure a reliable
process that produces a consistent product, and flow wrap
solutions are key to that consistency. Such a reliable process
also helps lower the cost of production as automation
allows companies to produce more units in the same amount
of time.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), the US alone discards between 30%-40% of the
food supply. When cheese is packaged without enhanced
protection, it is more likely that oxygen will enter the
package or that the moisture levels will fluctuate, causing
the product to spoil. Additionally, flexible packaging
can aid in reducing a brand's carbon emissions during
transportation, because more can be transported at
PMMI ANNOUNCES HALL
OF FAME COMMISSION
Leaders from premier consumer packaged goods
companies,
retailers,
academia,
suppliers, and
well-respected consultants within the packaging
and processing industry will select Hall of Fame
Members for induction into the Packaging & Processing
Hall of Fame, Class of 2024. Candidates
are soon to be nominated by their peers.
Established in 1971, this prestigious award is the
highest accolade a packaging or processing professional
can attain. The Class of 2024 honorees
will be unveiled in October and recognized at a
reception to be held during PACK EXPO International
2024 (McCormick Place, Chicago, Nov. 3-6),
organized by PMMI, The Association for Packaging
and Processing Technologies.
The commission includes Thomas L. Schneider,
past chairman, Institute of Packaging Professionals,
and past president, World Packaging Organisation;
as well as leaders in packaging from Target,
Kraft Heinz Company, Clemson University, Fisher
Packaging, Silgan Containers, Springboard Packaging
Solutions, Inc., Abbott Nutrition, PTIS, David
S. Smith Associates, and Morrison Container Handling
Solutions.
Packaging & Processing Hall of Fame members
have dedicated themselves to the industry through
expanding knowledge and volunteer leadership.
Any member of the packaging or processing community
may submit a colleague for consideration.
Nominations are currently open. Criteria and
submission information can be found by visiting
pmmi.org/hall-of-fame.
DAIRYPROCESSING.COM | MAR-APR 2024 47
Amcor
https://pmmi.omeclk.com/portal/wts/ue%5Ecnh%5Ed4x%5Ebbc-%5Bbz%5Evmo6c http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
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