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Pet Food

The right packaging solutions are a game changer for the future. Pack smart with these future-proof tips.

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Pet food packaging is an issue

A package that exudes trust, is user-friendly, and perfectly conveys the brand values is often decisive in the choice of a pet food brand. The right design and packaging choices offer a competitive advantage that should not be underestimated.

With the increasing demand for high-quality pet food, packaging is becoming increasingly important for the success of your product. While food quality and ingredients have become more crucial, freshness has also become a key point of concern. Properly sealed and user-friendly packaging is essential.

Everything must align with the brand image. Manufacturers are also expected to respond to new requirements regarding health and sustainability. For example, consumers are more frequently choosing organic or grain-free food, often accompanied by a demand for recyclable or biodegradable packaging.

Globally, we are seeing an increase in pet ownership, and consumers are becoming more critical of what they buy for their pets. Manufacturers must differentiate themselves to remain competitive. Packaging offers a perfect opportunity here. The right look and feel can strengthen your brand, while smart, user-friendly packaging helps ensure the food reaches the customer safely and fresh.

Supermarkt schap met dierenvoeding

Whether you want to make your brand stand out with distinctive design, guarantee product quality with innovative closures, or optimize the transportation process: the right packaging solutions make all the difference.

Read on to discover how you can turn challenges in the pet food packaging process into strong selling points. Stay ahead of the competition with a few practical tips!

Challenges and tips

Pet food, an innovative business

The choice of pet food is increasingly driven by emotional considerations. Consumers not only look at the direct benefits for their pets but also care about their overall well-being in the long term. An innovative packaging process that results in attractive and informative packaging, along with a brand that tells the right story, influences the purchasing decision.

Below is an overview of the key issues in the pet food industry and some advice on how to respond to them wisely.

Ensure Intact Feed Pellets

Pet food pellets are fragile and can easily lose their texture during packaging and transportation due to shocks. With the rise of online shopping, packaging must withstand long distances and various handling processes to prevent breakage or crumbling.

Therefore, choose strong packaging and use reinforced materials to help minimize damage and product loss.

Keep Your Pet Food Fresh

Exposure to moisture, such as rain or high humidity, as well as air or fluctuating temperatures, promotes the growth of mold and bacteria. This causes spoilage and/or loss of essential nutrients. In addition to shortening the shelf life of the pellets, their nutritional value also decreases, negatively impacting the brand quality.

Avoid moisture contact by using moisture-resistant packaging materials and ensuring a controlled and dry storage environment. Use Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) systems, where the air in the packaging is replaced with a gas mixture to extend the shelf life of food products. Finally, ensure a securely sealed package by using high-quality sealing techniques and closures. All of this will prevent moisture infiltration and promote freshness.

Choose a Hygienic Design

Cross-contamination and dirt are common problems when packaging and storing pet food. The loss from unsafe food not only causes economic damage but also presents health risks, meaning manufacturers no longer meet food safety standards.

Invest in machines with a smooth and simple design, without unnecessary corners, seams, or grooves where dirt and residues can accumulate. Use machine parts that can be easily removed for cleaning, such as detachable lids and plates. This ensures all surfaces are easily accessible for cleaning and disinfection. Stainless steel and other non-porous materials are best suited for regular cleaning, as they do not absorb moisture and are easy to maintain.

Packaging solutions that prevent different production or processing steps from overlapping can help avoid cross-contamination. For example, place physical barriers or partitions to prevent contamination between different product streams.

Different Portion Sizes and Packaging Materials

To meet the various needs and preferences of consumers and distributors, manufacturers must offer pet food in a wide range of portion sizes and packaging materials. It goes without saying that small 500-gram plastic bags have different packaging and distribution requirements than large bulk packages of 25 kilograms or more in paper.

Opt for flexible packaging systems that can meet changing requirements. Think of packaging systems that can quickly switch between different sizes and materials without significant time or quality loss. Adjustable machine settings and automatic adjustments make it possible to handle different types of bags and sealing methods, ranging from resealable bags for small portions to robust bulk packaging.

 

Supermarkt schap met dierenvoeding

Supply and dosing

The ideal packaging line for pet food

Your pellets packed from A to Z.

Feeding and Weighing Pet Food Pellets

Filling dry pet food requires a high degree of flexibility and accuracy so that different portion sizes can be packaged quickly and hygienically. Maxpac offers systems that are suitable for various packaging requirements: from smaller plastic bags for daily consumer use to large paper bulk packages for large-scale distribution. These machines are designed to maximize efficiency, regardless of capacity or packaging type.

Such flexibility can be found in Concetti’s range, offering various options. The best choice is always determined after a thorough analysis that maps all requirements. Here are a few options:

 

Multihead Weighing System

A multihead weigher is essential for accurately and quickly weighing small quantities of pet food. The technology works by using multiple weighing bins, each weighing small amounts of the product. A computer calculates the optimal combination of weights to approximate the desired portion as closely as possible. This weighing solution is known for its flexibility and high speed.

 

Net Weighing System with Belt Feed

A weighing solution well-suited for medium-flow products, which is why it is commonly found in the pet food industry. The belt feed ensures controlled and consistent product flow to the weighing unit. The feed automatically stops when the pre-set weight is reached.

This flexible system handles different product types. Weighing parameters can be pre-stored in the system, allowing for quick switches between products. Ideal for packaging lines that need to support multiple products.

 

Filling Pellets

For private labeling where cost is a critical factor, the flat film bag-filling machine is often chosen. This affordable yet simple machine supports only a limited number of bag sizes.

At the other end of the spectrum are the IPF, IGF, and IMF systems. The best choice here again depends on product requirements, packaging sizes, and desired capacity. Below, we explain the main features of each of these systems. Finally, we introduce the latest pet food innovation: the IMF ālĕs packaging machine.

 

IPF Bagging System

The IPF packaging system offers an impressive production speed of up to 2,000 bags per hour, with a range of bag sizes from 100 grams to 5 kg. This system is equipped with automatic switching in just 60 seconds, two bag fillers, and a high-capacity empty bag magazine. A great solution for packing small bags at a fast pace.

The height-adjustable sealing bars and easy cleaning contribute to efficiency and user-friendliness. The system is compatible with various bag materials, including PE, PET, coated paper, and recyclable mono-materials. Different bag types are supported, such as side-gusseted bags, bags with handles, quad-seal, or stand-up pouches.

 

 

IGF Bagging System

The IGF packaging system is ideal for larger packages ranging from 2 kg to 50 kg. With an impressive production speed of up to 1,200 bags per hour, the system offers optimal performance for packing larger quantities.

The solution features a precise weighing system, automatic switching in 60 seconds, and a spacious empty bag magazine. In addition, the bag holder is automatically adjustable, and the system is easy to clean. It can handle various bag materials such as PE, coated paper, and recyclable mono-materials. Multiple finishes are possible, including side-gusseted, handled, and stand-up bags.

 

IMF Bagging System

The IMF system is a fully automatic packaging solution that is highly versatile. It processes small to large bag sizes, from 1 kg to 20 kg, for folded and flat bags made of materials such as coated paper and PE. Innovative bags with carrying handles or stand-up pouches with quadro sealing are also possible, all at a speed of up to 1,800 bags per hour.

Given the high flexibility, Concetti recently developed the IMF ālĕs, a special edition of the IMF machine with a specific focus on pet food packaging.

 

IMF ālĕs Bagging System

This new automatic packaging machine for pet food can process up to 2,000 bags per hour in volumes ranging from 3 to 20 kg.

It offers automatic 1-minute bag switching without manual intervention. The sealing technology protects the flavor and shelf life of the food pellets. There are numerous options for customization and integration of devices, including systems for coding and printing empty bags and packaging in a protective atmosphere.

Both traditional and eco-friendly, recyclable packaging can be sealed. The use of energy-efficient brushless motors reduces the ecological footprint, while precise and careful processing is maintained.

Additionally, the IMF ālĕs features a revolutionary design that offers operators excellent visibility during the production cycle. The internal compartments are easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance, minimizing downtime.

This new packaging machine can be equipped with an automatic palletizer, making it ideal when you want to meet various customer needs.

Transport and storage

Stacking, securing and protecting pet food packaging

Maxpac provides various machines that ensure safe transport and storage of your packaged pet food.

There are several ways to stack. Both the four-column fully automatic robotic palletizer and the Lampo palletizer offer significant advantages for the pet food industry. Their high flexibility in handling various bag sizes and types, as well as their impressive throughput speeds, will boost productivity while ensuring stable and well-formed pallets. Additionally, both systems allow for automatic settings and program changes, minimizing downtime and improving production efficiency.

There are also several options to secure and protect pallets. Stretch hood machines offer high capacity and ensure completely waterproof packaging with fewer wear-sensitive parts, though they tend to be more expensive.
Stretch wrappers are a cheaper alternative that also guarantees excellent protection and waterproofing during transport, but pallet wrappers require two rolls of film for the same waterproof result.

Open-Mouth Bagging Machine

Open-Mouth Bagging Machine

Concetti

Filling machines with a capacity of up to 2,400 bags per hour and weighing ranges from 100 gr to 50kg. Options available for weighing, sealing and ventilation.

Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine (VFFS)

Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine (VFFS)

VAI

Form, fill, and seal machines for flat film. Capable of handling up to 1,500 bags per hour and offering a wide weighing range from 100 grams to 50 kilograms.

Consult with our experts

Our packaging specialists are ready to assist you with the design, installation, startup, maintenance, and optimization of your packaging line.

Consult with our experts today, free of obligation. And see how you can achieve more reliability, efficiency, and return from your packaging line as soon as tomorrow.

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Sales Manager

Alex Govaert