PACK EXPO International 2024, the world’s largest packaging and processing trade show, saw record attendance this year, according to show producer, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.
The event, which took place November 3-6 in Chicago, was the largest show in the association’s history, with 48,000 attendees and featuring more than 2,700 exhibitors across 1.32 million net square feet of exhibit space at McCormick Place.
PACK EXPO International 2024 offered multifaceted solutions for the more than 40 vertical markets represented at the show. Attendees were also able to visit the Sustainability Central exhibit, the Technology Excellence Awards, Emerging Brands Central and PACK Challenge as well as Industry-Specific Pavilions.
The Technology Excellence Awards recognizing the best innovations in packaging and processing, were being shown for the first time at a PACK EXPO event. More than 100 suppliers submitted nominations for this year’s awards, which were reviewed by a panel of top industry professionals and narrowed down to three finalists in four categories. Further, there were more than 150 educational sessions running during the event.
Attendees were also invited to take part in exclusive networking events like PACK gives BACK featuring comedian Nate Bargatze, the Young Professionals Networking Reception, the Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Lisa Sun of lifestyle brand GRAVITAS, and the First-Time Attendee Breakfast.
"PACK EXPO International 2024 has truly raised the bar for what an industry event can achieve," said Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. "This show has not only grown in scale but also in substance, attracting attendees and exhibitors from every corner of the industry. The connections made here are invaluable, reinforcing PACK EXPO’s role as an unmatched platform for innovation, collaboration, and progress across the packaging and processing landscape."
Among the solutions applicable to dairy processors were:
A COMPACT PALLETIZER
For plants with limited floor space or on a small budget, the M72AN compact palletizer from A-B-C Packaging offers a simple and economical solution to increase production and eliminate the cost and liability of manual operation. It occupies up to 30% less floor space than conventional low-level palletizers and offers complete flexibility for product feed and pallet configuration. The palletizer combines the freedom of on-floor operation with an open profile and full machine guarding, plus high- or low-level product feed. A-B-C’s intelligent controls provide simple, touchscreen control of operation, changeover, production data, and diagnostics, the company says.
727-937-5144; www.abcpackaging.com
METAL DETECTION FOR DAIRY APPLICATIONS
Advanced Detection Systems is an engineering-driven company with more than 30 years of providing metal detection and customer service to the dairy industry. Its ProScan Max III Pipeline Metal Detector is ideal for ice cream, soft cheese and yogurt applications. The company says it tests its customers’ product, free of charge, and uses the results to determine detection levels for each specific application. It stands by these detection levels with a written guarantee. Its optional three-way divert valve removes metal contaminated product with little waste. The ProScan Max III comes standard with features and software that provide reliable, consistent performance, the company says.
414-672-0553; https://adsdetection.com/products/proscan-pipeline-systems/
INSPECTION AND TRACEABILITY
Antares Vision Group’s ALL-IN-ONE equipment portfolio for food and beverage applications incorporates multiple inspection controls into single machines, maximizing production space and manpower efficiencies while offering quality assurance. The ALL-IN-ONE module showcased at the show incorporates a leak-detection system for detecting micro-leaks in packaging; an X-ray module for identifying various contaminants including glass, stones, metal, bone, high-density plastics, and other foreign materials; and a checkweigher for precise, dynamic weight confirmation. Another version of the ALL-IN-ONE checks packaging labels and codes (alphanumeric, QR codes, Datamatrix, etc.) to verify presence, legibility, position, inclination and format alignment, weldin,g and overall printing integrity. This system can be integrated with a track-and-trace platform that manages serial numbers throughout the supply chain, enabling features that encourage customer engagement, identify gray markets for brand protection, and manage re-usable assets, according to the company.
SENSING RANGE AND RESPONSE TIME
Sensor manufacturer Baumer displayed its broad product range and in-depth application expertise at the show. Among other best-in-class products were new process sensors of the 50 series, developed for the greatest precision, measuring range, and response time, according to the company. Each sensor in the 50 series is unrivaled in at least one discipline: pressure sensor PP56 features the highest precision in its class, temperature sensor PT55 impresses with the largest measuring range, and conductivity sensor PAC50 scores highly due to the shortest response time. Large, backlit touch displays allow for easy visualization and data monitoring.
800-937-9336; www.baumer.com/us/en/50-series-baumer-process-sensors/a/50-series
DRAINS FOR HYGIENE AND DURABILITY
The Circular Catch Basin from FoodSafe Drains, designed for the 10,000 Series FoodSafe Slot Drain, enhances cleaning and water flow efficiency, which the company says is ideal for rigorous dairy industry standards. Constructed from T304 or T316 stainless steel, the basin’s circular design eliminates corners, prevents bacteria buildup, and streamlines sanitation. This high-efficiency system also supports heavy-duty use, with custom configurations to meet various facility needs. The Circular Catch Basin integrates seamlessly with the company’s Slot Drain System, ensuring fast, clog-free drainage and reliable performance in dairy environments, it says.
855-497-7508; www.foodsafedrains.com
PRODUCT SAFETY WITH X-RAY SYSTEM
The Icon X-ray System from Fortress Technology empowers processors of small, packaged products to enhance product safety. Designed to detect contaminants such as metal, glass, ceramic, and dense plastics, it ensures products meet the highest safety and quality standards. With its advanced IA+ detection algorithm and networked data capture, the system offers exceptional performance for variable-density products, according to the company. Its compact, hygienic design integrates seamlessly into production lines, optimizing floor space and maintaining production flow. Complementing existing metal detection systems, the Icon X-ray System enhances detection accuracy, reduces downtime,e and supports compliance with industry regulations, the company says.
888-220-8737; www.fortresstechnology.com
PIPING SYSTEMS FOR COOLING
The dairy industry has various requirements for cooling and refrigeration, including cooling of milk via a plate heat exchanger, cooling of storage tanks or storage areas for the milk and milk-based products. GF Piping Systems’ COOL-FIT PE Plus piping system is a revolutionary way to create efficient and safe secondary refrigeration loops that are more cost effective and easier to install than alternative solutions, the company says. The system’s cutting-edge technology is designed for use in commercial and industrial refrigeration installations. It pairs corrosion and maintenance-free components with ex-works pre-insulation in a system that is reliable and efficient. Additionally, the system is safe, lightweight, and quick to install.
FOUR-SIDED SEALED SACHETS
IMA Dairy & Food showcased the F600 Form-Fill-Seal Machine, which produces four-sided sealed sachets at a pace of up to 80 cycles/minute on as many as 16 lanes. The unit runs a single-wide roll located at floor level for easy changeover and front-and-back sachet registration, an option offering more printing choices than traditional two-roll machines. The F600 can handle rolls as wide as 1.200mm with a diameter of 800mm, and can yield up to 16 hours of run time between roll changes, the company says. The result is significantly reduced downtime and boosted productivity. The F600’s product handling places a premium on quality assurance, and its CIP and SIP-suitable dosing units can be adjusted per specific product requirements. Filling accuracy and hygiene standards are assured, and the hermetic pack seal produced by the F600 is secure yet easy to open for consumer convenience, the company says.
BEVERAGE FILLING TECHNOLOGY
JBT Corporation’s Bevcorp, a manufacturer of beverage filling technology, announced the launch of its latest innovation, the REVolution EV Filler. The company says this rotary EV filler represents a significant advancement in beverage filling technology, offering unparalleled precision, efficiency, and versatility. The REVolution EV Filler increases the company’s product offerings, incorporating a new concept, pressurized product distribution manifold with a simplified, sectioned design. The design allows JBT Bevcorp to streamline the manufacturing process, eliminating the need to rebuild or salvage tanks from legacy equipment. It features an updated method for opening and shutting valves, with the entire filling cycle controlled and monitored by a computer. This results in lowered energy use, more accurate fills, reduced foaming, and increased yields, enhancing both product quality and production efficiency, the company says. A standout feature of the REVolution EV Filler is the REV Drop-in-Drive, a patent-pending sub-system that allows the servo drive and starwheel assembly to be lifted from its column as a single assembly by loosening only a few bolts.
440-954-3500; www.bevcorp.com
ZEPHYR HORIZONTAL-MOTION CONVEYOR
Key Technology's Zephyr horizontal-motion conveyor is designed for gentle, high-capacity handling of a wide variety of bulk foods such as frozen shredded cheese and more. The conveyor's unique motion profile moves product with no segregation and stratification while minimizing bounce to prevent product damage and loss of coatings such as seasoning. The reversible Zephyr, which is equipped to flow in either direction, maximizes line versatility while improving sanitation and reducing maintenance. Achieving up to twice the throughput of conventional horizontal-motion conveyors while keeping noise levels at 75 decibels or less, Zephyr combines superior performance with quiet operation, according to the company.
509-529-2161; www.key.net
LIQUID PACKAGING MACHINE WITH ZERO HEADSPACE
The Matrix MVC-300L from Matrix Packaging Machinery is a continuous motion vertical form fill-and-seal machine designed for filling liquid pillow bags with zero headspace. Liquid-filled flexible bags offer a packaging option that is more eco-friendly, space-saving, and more flexible than cartons or jars. The company says these key benefits have launched flexible bags to the forefront of liquid packaging for applications such as beverages, sauces, condiments, oils, and many others. The packaging features an integrated pump designed to create bags with zero headspace, reducing oxygen and film consumption. A unique squeegee system controls the liquid volume and works to remove air from the bag with continuous pump operation for enhanced accuracy and zero headspace.
888-628-7491; www.matrixpm.com
COMBINATION INSPECTION SYSTEMS
Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection has extended its combination inspection portfolio with advances to the new CM (checkweighing and metal detection) and CX (checkweighing and X-ray) combination systems. The company says this advancement integrates the new M30 R-Series metal detectors and X2 Series of high-performing X-ray inspection systems into high-precision C-Series checkweighers, providing customers with maximum flexibility to choose the right system to suit their individual application, packaging, and budget requirements. With the introduction of the next generation of the CM and CX combination systems, the company is offering 2-in-1 inspection solutions that manage Critical Control Points (CCPs) by combining precision weighing with contamination detection in an integrated solution. These new systems offer simplified operation, a space-saving design, and reduced total cost of ownership. The integration of the M30 R-Series and X2 Series also offers higher detection sensitivity, providing an added layer of security and quality control, the company says.
813-889-9500; www.mt.com/us/en/home/products/Product-Inspection
CONVEYOR TECHNOLOGIES
Multi-Conveyor manufactures custom and standard 24/7 conveyor systems that are designed to maximize productivity while saving essential floor space in any location. The company offers its new customer-centric touchscreen kiosk and a touchless “scan & go” QR code technology download board, and shared core conveyor capabilities with attendees, including a product bump turn conveyor for 90-degree rotation, a plastic chain table–style-top conveyor section, a plastic belt mat-style-stop conveyor section, a dual belt product turner, case pack specialties, micropitch transfers, and LBP (low back pressure) transitions, its ARB (Activated Roller Belt) facilitating merge, sort, divert, transfer or change product direction, and its PanelView Plus touchscreen conveyor controls.
800-236-7960; www.multi-conveyor.com
SLICER WITH CIRCULAR BLADE TECHNOLOGY
MultiVac showcased its SLX 800 slicer. With its state-of-the-art circular blade technology, the company says users of the SLX 800 benefit from a high-quality slicing result and minimized waste. Simple operation and uncomplicated changes of product and format ensure that small batches of different products can be processed quickly, while an integrated dynamic weighing unit guarantees consistent portions with minimal give-away, the company says.
800-800-8552; www.multivac.com
INCLINE CONVEYOR SYSTEM
Nercon’s Z-Incline Elevator, also known as “Swan Neck” or “Scoop Elevator,” is a reliable way to change the elevation of manufacturer’s raw or packaged products throughout the production line. Z-Incline conveyors require less maintenance than bucket systems, the company says. Offered with food-safe belting, this solid surface is a homogeneous thermoplastic with 100% closed surfaces, making it well-suited for sanitary food-processing applications. The corrugated sidewalls are hermetically sealed to the food-safe belt, and reduce product damage while providing reliable, predictable performance. The regular and sanitary versions of the Z-Incline conveyor system are ideal for handling individually wrapped food products, among a variety of other applications.
844-293-2814; www.nercon.com
ROBOTIC PACKAGING SYSTEMS
Olis Robotics enables remote monitoring, control, and troubleshooting of new and fielded industrial robots. The company has collaborated with Hamrick Packaging Systems for a packaging equipment OEM showing a robotic bottle-packing application adding Olis directly into the HMI panel. This feature offers Hamrick’s customers the ability to restart production faster, reduce troubleshooting and downtime costs by up to 90%, while gaining access to expert support quickly, the company says. Attendees were able to experience how Olis' remote error recovery software alerts users when the robot unexpectedly stops, and when picking or placing a part fails. After a system failure, Olis can run a tool inspection routine and perform remote error recovery, allowing the robot to resume its cycle and get back to work.
855-337-6268; www.olisrobotics.com
ECO-PAK FILLING MACHINE
The N-200 gable top packaging machine from Pactiv Evergreen replaces the company’s N-8 model filler after 25 years of production and serving as the standard in the school milk industry. With more than 225 N-8 machines manufactured and a majority still in operation, the N-8 remains a pillar of the filling industry. Following in its footsteps, the N-200 model filler has been designed based upon extensive input from school milk filler operators, Pactiv Evergreen’s service technicians, and engineering staff. The result is a filler designed with the operator and plant in mind. Maintenance time is reduced with servo-driven functionality, replacing many of the mechanical functions of previous fillers. A redesigned machine enclosure enables full sight of all machine functions and easier access to components by operators and maintenance staff. Auto lubrication also reduces maintenance and provides a longer shelf life of components. Optional features include the Spout-Pak system, lighting in bottom forming and under table areas, as well as ESL options such as HEPA filtration and self-contained clean-in-place, according to the company.
319-399-3200; www.pactivevergreen.com/filling-equipment
SHELF-STABLE FOOD STERILIZATION
ALLPAX and STOCK America, two of ProMach’s handling and sterilization brands, showcased their latest productivity, product quality and sustainability solutions for low-acid food sterilization processing applications. ImmersaFlow is a batch retort process patented by STOCK. ImmersaFlow retorts heat densely packed retort baskets by channeling the flow of hot water through the basket from top to bottom. The ImmersaFlow process focuses on heated water within the basket for a more uniform heating profile, versus any other type of process currently available, according to the company. Target temperature is acquired faster, based on an engineered directional flow design. Shorter processing time improves quality for a like-fresh sensory experience and results in lower overall energy consumption. Cooling, like heating, is reduced by the focused flow of water, which means overall cycle time reductions for improved asset utilization. ImmersaFlow offers lab research personnel a tool for entirely new avenues of processing capabilities in terms of achieving superb product quality results, the company says.
985-893-9277; www.promachbuilt.com; www.allpax.com
HIGH-PERFORMING SOLUTIONS
ProMach's product brands offer high-performing solutions that benefit dairy producers. Statco-DSI's sanitary processing reduces system complexity while offering milk processing lines product-to-product regeneration with significantly lower energy usage. Fogg's rotary fillers offer ESL technology for transporting dairy-based products over longer distances and achieving a longer consumable life span. For dairy packaging, P.E. Labellers' Simpl-Cut roll-fed rotary labeling systems provide hot melt or pre-glued wraparound labels. And Modern's precision filling and sealing systems for cups in trays comply with USDA, UL, CE, and 3-A Dairy Sanitary Standards, the company says.
513-831-8778; www.promachbuilt.com/solutions/market-solutions
INTEGRATED PACKING EFFICIENCY
Designed to handle up to 34 cases per minute during a single cycle, SOMIC Packaging’s 434 automated packaging system is capable of packing flat sachets, stand-up flexible pouches, and a wide array of cans, cups, trays, jars, bottles, tubes ,and blister-packs. Offering single and multi-row grouping and multi-layer stacking, format adjustments are 70% faster than previous systems. The unit features a compact footprint, and a standard 434 has a base carton or case packing section that incorporates custom infeed and collation. The decentralized servo technology is particularly suitable for the machine’s modular design, and functional units can be individually adapted for any customer requirements and future applications.
615-419-6050; www.somic-packaging.com/en/
CONTINUOUS STERILIZER
Surdry’s Continuous Sterilizer machines are used to sterilize various products, including ready-to-drink beverages that contain milk, a process that is crucial to make these products shelf-stable. The company’s technology saves up to 50% of energy used in the food and beverage sterilization process when compared to batch retorts, and it can process different types of containers. Further, the Continuous Sterilizer technology offers steam consumption savings of up to 50% compared to batch retorts, promoting cost savings and more sustainable operations. With patents secured in Europe and the U.S., the company says this solution can simultaneously process diverse package types and sizes, including cans, jars, pouches, and more. Each station maintains a constant temperature, with complete insulation to prevent temperature transfer between them, according to the company.
PROCESSING UNIT FOR ULTRA-HIGH TEMPERATURES
Tetra Pak’s Direct UHT unit is a processing unit for highly efficient, continuous ultra-high temperature treatment of a wide variety of products. The direct heating solutions are based on direct contact with clean steam, either via injection or infusion. The units offer state-of-the-art continuous aseptic processing for heat-sensitive products like milk, enriched milk, cream, and formulated dairy products. They can also be used for plant-based beverages and smooth products like soups, sauces, ice cream mix, dairy dessert,s and ESL products. Tetra Pak Direct UHT unit is available as a stand-alone unit or as part of a complete line solution, the company says. Highlights include: rapid heating and cooling; minimum heat load on product; minimized product losses thanks to low-loss balance tank function; premium product quality; possible to run with a wide range of products; and efficient operation with full production overview and control of the heating unit from the operator interface.
RECYCLABLE PAPER-BASED LINERS
TekniPlex Consumer Products has a wide range of solutions and materials to help customers s transition to more sustainability-minded substrates without sacrificing performance and functionality. Called the company’s “Sustainability AND” approach, the mindset has led to successful sustainability initiatives in several sectors, including dairy, protein, eggs, and shelf-stable products. The company introduced a paper-based liner that is recyclable wherever paper recycling streams are available, and compatible with conventional induction heat-sealing equipment. The company’s ProTecSeals Recyclable IHS Liners are suitable for a wide range of bottles and jars, making them ideal for non-reactive, non-acidic dry products. The liners are recyclable in the mixed paper recycling stream, proven by passing a reputable third-party testing protocol for re-pulpability and recyclability, while providing the same protective properties as conventional liners, the company says. ProTecSeals Recyclable IHS Liners have moisture and oxygen barrier, leak resistance, contaminant prevention, and shelf-life extension equal to a standard IHS liner. Printed recycling instructions on the liner can be supplemented or replaced with brand messaging. In October, the company announced the opening of a 200,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the molded fiber solutions sector in northwest Ohio.
908-720-5391; www.tekni-plex.com/consumer
ADVANCED DOSING SYSTEM FOR BEVERAGE APPLICATIONS
Vacuum Barrier Corp. designs, engineers ,and fabricates liquid nitrogen dosing and piping systems. The company offers its newest high-speed liquid nitrogen dosing system, the Nitrodose G3 Servodoser, with differentiators that include adjusting the flow rate during discrete and continuous dispensing without changing nozzles. It is an advanced dosing system designed for fast, precise delivery of low-pressure liquid nitrogen in beverage applications, and the unit enables manufacturers to adapt to their production needs without downtime. The seamlessly integrated system can handle up to 2,000 containers per minute (CPM) while offering ideal dosing control, the company says. The Nitrodose system is used for non-carbonated beverages in plastic bottles or aluminum cans, where it adds rigidity to enhance structural integrity and durability. The unit is equipped with a seven-inch color touchscreen for intuitive operation, and can deliver dosing durations as brief as 4 milliseconds, providing an accuracy of approximately +/-1% of dose weight.
781-933-3570; www.vacuumbarrier.com
DATA COLLECTION SOFTWARE
Wintress Controls Group announced advanced features in its ShopFloorConnect OEE and Data Collection Software.The latest functionality in ShopFloorConnect gives packaging and processing professionals efficient and easy-to-use software for increased productivity and reduced machine downtime, including when remote monitoring is required, the company reports. The software can increase manufacturing capacity and profitability by identifying and quantifying excessive production losses and bottlenecks. Advanced ShopFloorConnect OEE and Data Collection Software collects downtime and production efficiency data from every machine in a variety of industries including packaging, food, beverage and more. Data are displayed real-time, and indispensable manufacturing reports are produced, including detailed OEE reports in a variety of formats. Additionally, it showcased its ShopFloorConnect Maintenance Tracker which enables users to track important machine-preventative maintenance (PM) items by run-hours, calendar days or machine cycles, issue targeted alerts when an item requires PM, and track the maintenance work history for all machines.
800-586-8324; www.wintress.com
MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEM
Yoran Imaging debuted a system for inline moisture control and process optimization. The company’s Process Analytical Monitoring (PAM) Moisture Control solution uses thermal imaging technology to provide 100% moisture monitoring, and continuously oversees the overall process to maintain defined moisture level boundaries. The system is a robust step up from two common methods of moisture control, the company says. For food brand owners utilizing moisture control inspection via sampling, the inline, 100% monitoring system yields immediate and substantial upgrades to both inspection comprehensiveness and, by eliminating the need for inspection-related line slowdowns and stoppages, production output. For companies already using inline inspection via spectroscopy, PAM Moisture Control provides a significantly simpler system for operators, as well as enhanced process control that can virtually eliminate unscheduled line downtime.
