Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik has received the International FoodTec Award 2024 in Gold for its ConProSachet system. The new process for packaging liquid or pasty products such as gels, drinks or sauces does not use prefabricated plastic film as a casing, but alginate instead.
The preferred packaging material for flowpack machines used to be plastic film. There are already many approaches to reduce the use of (disposable) plastics as packaging material. The Trend towards very thin, recyclable films or films that are biodegradable within 24 months in accordance with DIN standard EN 13432A. One disadvantage is the high cost of disposal after use. A significant proportion of the material is not recycled but incinerated or often simply disposed of.
The ConProSachet system does not use prefabricated plastic film as a cover, but alginate. The alginate casing is produced in a co-extrusion process at the same time as the respective product is filled. The casing gels around the product and is sealed. The alginate pouches are edible or can simply be disposed of after use. They biodegrade in just a few weeks.
The system is energy-efficient, intuitive to use and Can be quickly converted to different sachet sizes. It offers the industry new opportunities to replace plastic films, which are increasingly unpopular with consumers but are often used as packaging material in flow-wrapping machines, and thus reduce plastic waste.
Alginate, which is obtained from algae, is a Ecological and sustainable, biodegradable alternative raw material and is therefore another approach to solving existing packaging problems. It is suitable for a wide range of applications, although its limitations, such as lower stability, different barrier properties and the fact that the packaging cannot be resealed, must be taken into account.
With the International FoodTec Award, the DLG, together with its partners, recognises pioneering developments with regard to Innovation, sustainability and efficiency in the field of food technology. A gold medal is awarded to products with a new concept where the function has changed significantly and their use enables a new process or significantly improves a known process.
Source: Handtmann
