When meat is packaged at Migros Lucerne, a precisely timed process takes place within a few seconds. The vacuum is a process-defining parameter here and directly influences product quality, shelf life, and cycle performance. The Swiss cooperative has therefore converted the vacuum supply of its six packaging lines to a central system from Busch Vacuum Solutions.
At the Migros Lucerne production site, meat products are processed and packaged for the Swiss food retail trade. A total of six packaging machines cover a broad spectrum of products. For deep-drawn packaging, for example for meat products, the packaging is first evacuated, then backfilled with gas and then sealed with a frame seal at pressures between 20 and 200 mbar. Additionally, a so-called Darfresh system is used, where the product is placed in a vacuum-formed tray and evacuated with a top web film at pressures between 5 and 15 mbar.
The switch to a central vacuum supply has enabled Migros Lucerne to reduce the number of vacuum pumps in use. This not only leads to a significant increase in energy efficiency but also to a distinct improvement in operational reliability. The central system ensures a stable and demand-driven vacuum supply, which guarantees consistently high quality in the packaging processes.
Furthermore, the relocation of the vacuum technology away from the production area has led to a reduction in noise and heat emissions. This not only improves working conditions for employees but also significantly lowers maintenance requirements. The central system is designed to operate more efficiently and require less frequent maintenance than the previous decentralised systems.
Advantages for packaging processes
The central vacuum system from Busch Vacuum Solutions offers several advantages for Migros Luzern's packaging processes. The demand-controlled vacuum supply allows production lines to operate more flexibly and efficiently. This is particularly important in an industry where packaging quality requirements are constantly increasing and production cycles are getting shorter.
Another advantage of the new system is the improved operational reliability. The central control allows for more precise monitoring and adjustment of the vacuum supply, which significantly reduces the risk of failures or disruptions. This helps to ensure production continuity and minimise downtime.
The vacuum concept implemented at Migros Lucerne is designed for production environments with different packaging processes and high requirements for hygiene, availability and efficiency. It is particularly suitable for applications where multiple packaging lines with varying pressure levels need to be reliably supplied centrally and on demand.
Source: Busch Vacuum Solutions
