IFFA 2019 - packaging in focus

The packaging of food, especially perishable products such as meat and sausage products, places the highest demands on packaging, packaging machinery and equipment. In addition to the traditional tasks such as protection, transport, storage, handling and information, the focus is on food safety, hygiene, waste prevention, sustainability, resource efficiency and traceability. Just in time for the IFFA, from the 4. to 9. May 2019, leading international companies in the packaging industry present their latest technologies and inform them about the most important trends in the meat industry.

Less is more and protects the environment
The reduction of packaging material and the use of recyclable packaging have been the focus of consumers, manufacturers and the packaging industry since the EU Plastics Strategy published in January 2018 and the German Packaging Act, which came into force in January 2019 in Germany. Lightweight packaging with the same or even better packaging performance and greater stability make a significant contribution to greater sustainability and resource conservation. Lower weight means saving on raw materials, energy and transport costs as well as optimized handling. For a sustainable packaging in addition to the film material and its processing is crucial. Modern packaging machines allow precise setting of film parameters for more economical processing. Highly efficient film feed systems in turn reduce film waste in the form of edge strips and punched grids. As a result, significantly more packaging can be produced from a film web.

Skin packaging - sustainable and attractive
Innovative skin packaging with carton as a product carrier enables attractive product presentations with extended shelf life and reduced material consumption. Made of thin cardboard, the product carrier is provided with a polymeric protective layer as a barrier against grease, moisture and oxygen, giving the carton carrier additional stability. When skinning, the skin film lays on the product and product carrier like a second skin. This fixes the product on the carrier and protects it reliably. Such skin packaging saves up to 75 percent of film material. The coating of the box is easy to cut off and both are easy to recycle. Thanks to the free design and printing, the cardboard carrier attracts a lot of attention at the point of sale in terms of brand differentiation. Printing product information does not require additional labels, which also saves material.

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Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH / Petra Welzel

Protective gas packaging extends Shelf Life
The packaging of meat and sausages under inert gas atmosphere (Modified Atmosphere Packaging = MAP) is increasingly establishing itself as a standard. In this case, the air in the packaging is replaced by a suitable gas mixture for the product. The latter can significantly slow down the oxidative decomposition process or the growth of microbes and molds. Shielding gas can also reduce the breathability of the products, keeping their freshness, taste and appetizing appearance much longer. The shelf life of sausage will increase from two to four days - packed in air - to two to five weeks under MAP. In the case of packaging under protective gas, gas-tight barrier films specially adapted to the respective product are used.

Smart packaging
Multifunctional, active and intelligent packaging offers the meat industry completely new perspectives. They monitor and record the environmental impact of food after packaging along the rest of the value chain. Integrated time-temperature indicators provide information on the current quality status, freshness, any interruptions in the cold chain and whether the product is still suitable for consumption. Active packaging "actively" intervenes in the physical-biological-chemical process. They regulate the moisture in packaging, absorb oxygen or carbon dioxide and thus extend the shelf life of the products. As a biochemically active variant, they fight the spread of microbial germs. Other smart packaging protects goods from tampering and complicates shoplifting.

Brand differentiation at the point of sale
Packaging informs about ingredients, quality or environmental seals, origin, as brand ambassadors give the product a face and create incentives to buy. Which goods ultimately end up in the shopping basket of consumers, they usually decide spontaneously when purchasing, with appearance and information content of the packaging play an important role. When products are barely different in quality, a more sophisticated design often makes the emotional difference. Investments in innovative, high-quality packaging strengthen the brand image and quickly pay off for brand owners.

Optimum packaging solutions at IFFA
IFFA, the No. 1 in the meat industry, will be showing innovations for all process steps in meat processing from May 5 to 9, 2019. Trade visitors can see modern packaging technology for meat and sausage products as well as poultry and fish on both levels of exhibition hall 11. Leading companies in the packaging industry, such as Multivac, Sealpac, Tavil, Ulma, Variovac and VC999 are represented here. The exhibitors in the packaging sector are also located in Hall 11. The companies Flexopack, Krehalon and Schur Flexibles will be exhibiting.

The IFFA 2019 has a positive start: more than 1.000 exhibitors from around 50 countries have already registered for the industry highlight. They occupy an exhibition area of ​​120.000 square meters gross - eight percent more than at the previous event. The integration of the new 12 exhibition hall enables IFFA to grow. In addition, the trade fair will for the first time be concentrated in the western part of the Frankfurt Exhibition Center, offering a comprehensive overview and a future-oriented trade fair experience.

All information about IFFA and tickets at:

www.iffa.com

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