Integrated Processing and Packaging Solutions for the Meat Industry

Wolfertschwenden, 9 March 2022 — MULTIVAC will be exhibiting its wide range of innovative processing and packaging solutions at this year’s IFFA in Frankfurt. The focus will be on integrated lines, which enable meat products and alternative proteins to be processed and packaged cost-effectively and sustainably. Other highlights will be a presentation of the company’s digital products, as well as its services in the areas of packaging consultancy and after-sales care.

Some of the lines to be shown at the trade fair will be networked, so that they can be used with the digital MULTIVAC Smart Services, as well as being completely controlled from one point via MULTIVAC Line Control.

Packaging of burgers
Among the exhibits will be a space-saving, high-output line for the automatic converging, infeeding, packaging and labelling of frozen burgers on a cardboard tray in a flowpack. The flowpacking solution is particularly suitable for quick product changes, and one of its many features is its cost-effectiveness at high output. The use of very thin films and the absence of process-related film trim also contribute to the sustainability of this solution.

Processing and packaging of sliced products
A high-output line with slicer and thermoforming packaging machine will also be presented as an example of the automatic slicing, infeeding, packaging and labelling of sliced vegan products. Due to the complete integration of many modules into the packaging machine, the line offers the facility for optimising the space requirement. Thanks to the use of the spray system known as MULTIVAC Sustainable Liquid Interleaving, it is not necessary to have paper or film as interleaves. The thermoforming packaging machine also enables the optimum packaging material consumption to be achieved.

Processing and packaging of fresh meat
A compact and highly flexible portioning line for fresh meat retail packs can also be seen at the trade fair, and this line features the automatic portioning, infeeding and packaging of the product. This inline solution includes a traysealer in the medium-output category. The new and compact portioning machine, which was specially developed for the entry-level sector, ensures that the best portioning quality and optimum yield are achieved for the product. Sustainable packaging materials, such as mono films or MULTIVAC PaperBoard, can be used on the traysealer.

Processing and packaging of poultry in MAP
A highly flexible portioning line for the automatic portioning, infeeding, packaging and labelling of poultry will also be shown. The proven portioning machine ensures that the best portioning quality and optimum yield are achieved for the product. Sustainable packaging materials, such as mono films, can be used on the consistently high-output traysealer.

Packaging of meat in catering packs
A thermoforming packaging machine will be shown as an example of the packaging of meat products in bulk packs. Here a new machine type will be used, which offers an outstanding price-to-performance ratio. The packs are printed on the upper web with best-before date and batch number by means of a direct web printer.

Packaging of portioned products in film pouches
When it comes to packaging food products in film pouches, a chamber belt machine will be shown with a new semi-automatic loading solution, which enables cost savings of up to 40 percent to be achieved compared with manual loading.

Packaging of ready meals in cardboard trays
Here a thermoforming packaging machine in the medium-output range will be used for producing sustainable ready meal packs. After the packs have been sealed, they are printed with variable data by a direct web printer, and the print image is then checked by means of an inspection system. The use of MULTIVAC PaperBoard contributes to the sustainability of the packs and differentiating them at the point of sale.

Thermoforming packaging line for food services
As regards the food services sector, a compact thermoforming packaging machine in the entry-level range will be shown, which includes a filler and produces flexible vacuum packs for goulash or soups.The line is aimed at small to medium-sized companies, which are expanding and looking to increase their capacity, while at the same time focusing on reduced personnel costs.

Full wrap labelling with weigh price marking
At IFFA MULTIVAC will also be presenting a new conveyor belt labeller, which not only provides attractive full wrap labelling of packs, but now also enables weigh price marking to be performed in one process on the same machine. The labelling system features a very precise level of calibrated weight measurement, and it can be used as a standalone solution or in automated lines.

Modernisation of existing machines
And last but not least, the specialist packaging company will be presenting its MULTIVAC Retrofit modernisation service, using a thermoforming packaging machine from a previous generation, which has been converted to the current technology and equipped with additional functions to meet the tasks and market demands of today. This means that the service life of an existing machine can be extended and its efficiency increased.

Live demonstration: Portioning and slicing solutions
By visiting a tent in the outside grounds, customers will be able to convince themselves of the benefits of the new TVI portioning machine, which was designed primarily for medium-sized butcher’s shops, industrial-scale meat processors with smaller lines, and wholesale suppliers. In addition to this, a MULTIVAC slicer for processed meat products and alternative proteins will also be shown in live operation.

About MULTIVAC
MULTIVAC is one of the leading providers worldwide of packaging solutions for food products of all types, life science, and healthcare products, as well as industrial items. The MULTIVAC portfolio covers virtually all requirements of processors and producers in terms of pack design, output, and resource efficiency. It comprises a wide range of packaging technologies, as well as automation solutions, labellers, and quality control systems. The product range is rounded off with solutions upstream of the packaging process in the areas of portioning and processing, as well as bakery technology. Thanks to our extensive expertise in packaging lines, all modules can be integrated into complete solutions. This means that MULTIVAC solutions guarantee a high level of operational and process reliability, as well as efficiency. The MULTIVAC Group has approximately 6,900 employees worldwide, with some 2,300 based at its headquarters in Wolfertschwenden. With over 80 subsidiaries, the Group is represented on all continents. More than 1,000 sales advisors and service technicians throughout the world use their know-how and experience to the benefit of customers, and they ensure all installed MULTIVAC machines are utilised to their maximum. Further information can be found at: www.multivac.com.