Coffee
Coffee
GIC has been designing, installing, and servicing vertical form fill and seal packaging machines for four decades. UK-made to the highest standards, GIC’s machines can play an essential role in the efficient packing of coffee beans and ground coffee.
GIC machines are designed and manufactured in Gainsborough to exacting standards. We are a gold-level partner in the Rockwell Automation Partner Network™ programme, and all our component suppliers are selected for quality and reliability.
We back up our engineering excellence with operator training and comprehensive service and maintenance plans to ensure low cost of overall ownership.
Our vertical form fill and seal machines offer the optimum combination of effectiveness, reliability and low cost of ownership, backed by first-class technical and servicing support.
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Key Considerations
If you’re considering introducing a new VFFS machine to your line, there are several things to consider.
How the coffee is presented to the vertical form fill and seal machine will affect both speed and finished pack weight accuracy. For optimal speed and accuracy with ground coffee, an auger filler is recommended; for coffee beans, a weighing system is optimal.
Whole beans and ground coffee are polar opposites in terms of packing. Whole beans flow easily, while ground coffee can be less free-flowing.
Ground coffee can produce a fine dust, which, if your vertical form fill and seal machine is not designed for the environment, can contaminate seals and sensors. Installing a dust extraction system or air-blow cleaning at the forming tube and sealing jaws might be needed to achieve the most efficient and reliable operation.
Depending on the infeed system, coffee beans can produce shavings as they move through the packing line. If this is the case and the beans are to be vacuum-loaded, we can modify the loader to minimise the volume of shavings.
Harsh drops at conveyor junctions can damage beans. Cushioning their fall, either by using lined weighers or installing slopes, can reduce the chances of damage.
It is essential to use high-barrier laminates, such as PET/AL/PE, metallised film, or kraft with barrier coating, to minimise oxygen, moisture, and aroma loss.
In terms of the seal, the inner layer – PE or PP – must be compatible with the sealing system, and coffee packaging often requires a film robust enough to hold the finished pack form and ensure a high-quality finished pack.
Some packaging materials now come with built-in degassing valves, eliminating the need for a valve application system.
Both freshly roasted beans and ground coffee release CO2 for several days. While ground coffee releases the gas more quickly, if the gas cannot escape, finished packs can swell or burst. One-way degreasing valves allow the gas to escape but will prevent oxygen ingress.
If the coffee bags are to be opened or used shortly after packing, a small hole in the bag may be sufficient, and a valve application system is not required.
Gas flushing, also known as Modified Atmosphere packaging (MAP), may be needed to extend the finished pack shelf life.
Both ground coffee and coffee beans are sold in the most common pack formats, such as pillow, gusseted, block bottom, and quad. They are also often produced with a one-way valve for degassing.
In many industries, speed is vital, and producers are looking to work as quickly as possible. However, coffee – particularly ground coffee – is delicate and seal integrity and weight accuracy are often more important than throughput speed and packs per minute.
It is essential that the vertical form fill and seal machines can work with the infeed roasters, grinders, weighers, and end-of-line packaging machinery.
For Ground Coffee & Coffee Beans
GIC200
- Maximum pack size30 – 250mm
- Maximum speed60 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom, Euroslot, Carry Handle, Punch Hole
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Can be adapted for paper.
GIC400
- Maximum pack size400mm
- Maximum speed50 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom, Euroslot, Carry Handle, Punch Hole
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Can be adapted for paper.
GIC3100
- Maximum pack size400mm
- Maximum speed150 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom, Quad, Doy
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
GIC4100
- Maximum pack size400mm
- Maximum speed75 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing.
GIC8000 – Continuous Motion Variants
- Maximum pack size400mm
- Maximum speed100 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
GIC8100
- Maximum pack size400mm x 500mm
- Maximum speed160 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom, Quad, Doy
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
Free Site Appraisals
Irrespective of whether or not you currently rely on GIC vertical form fill and seal packaging machinery to keep your production line flowing efficiently, we offer free site appraisals.
Our experienced engineers will visit your facility and provide an accurate overview of the current condition of your packaging machinery, service and maintenance requirements, available software and hardware upgrades and opportunities to improve operating efficiency.
To request your free site appraisal, email us or call +44 (0) 1427 611885
Coffee Packaging Machines FAQs
Choosing the right coffee packaging machine involves a number of important considerations, from maintaining product freshness and achieving accurate dosing to selecting the right packaging materials, pack formats and production speeds. Our FAQs answer some of the most common questions about coffee packaging machinery and GIC’s vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) solutions for efficiently packing both ground coffee and whole coffee beans.
The best vertical form fill seal machine for coffee depends on whether you are packing whole coffee beans or ground coffee, the required pack size, desired bag format and target production speed.
GIC offers a range of VFFS packaging machines suitable for different coffee production requirements. These range from the compact GIC200 for smaller packs and moderate production volumes through to high-speed continuous-motion machines such as the GIC3100 and GIC8100. The GIC400 is also an ideal solution as this can easily be adapted for block bottom or quad seal packs.
The right solution should be selected around your coffee product, filling system, packaging material and wider production line rather than speed alone.
Contact GIC to discuss your coffee product, pack format and required production output with an experienced application specialist.
Yes. GIC vertical form fill seal machines can be configured to package both whole coffee beans and ground coffee.
The two products behave differently during dosing and filling. Whole coffee beans tend to flow relatively easily and are commonly handled using a suitable weighing system. Ground coffee can be less free-flowing and may create fine dust, so an auger filler, dust extraction system or air-blow cleaning around the forming tube and sealing jaws may be required.
The machine and filling system must therefore be specified together to maintain accurate pack weights, clean seals and reliable production.
Learn more about GIC’s specialist coffee packaging machines or explore the full range of vertical form fill seal machines.
Speak to GIC about automating your coffee bean or ground coffee packaging process.
GIC coffee packaging machines can produce several popular bag formats, depending on the model and machine configuration selected.
Available formats across the specialist coffee range include pillow bags, gusseted bags, block-bottom bags, quad-seal bags and Doy-style packs. This allows coffee producers to select packaging that suits their brand positioning, retail requirements, product weight and method of display.
For example, the GIC200 supports pillow, gusseted and block-bottom bags, while continuous-motion machines such as the GIC400, GIC3100 and GIC8100 can support additional formats, including quad and Doy-style packs. The GIC400, GIC3100 and GIC8100 can also run with an integrated valve applicator, this mechanism applies a valve to the film before the bag is formed. Each GIC VFFS packing machine can also be fitted with a label applicator
Browse GIC’s complete range of VFFS packaging machines to compare machine capabilities.
Have a specific coffee bag format in mind? Contact GIC for help selecting the most appropriate machine.
GIC coffee packaging machines can operate with a wide range of suitable heat-sealable materials, including polyethylene films and high-barrier laminates.
Coffee commonly requires packaging that helps minimise exposure to oxygen, moisture and aroma loss. Suitable options may include PET/AL/PE laminates, metallised film or kraft materials with a suitable barrier coating. The inner sealing layer must also be compatible with the machine’s sealing system.
Some GIC models can be configured for paper-based materials, while selected machines are available with optional impulse sealing. The correct specification will depend on your product, required shelf life, pack format, barrier requirements and chosen film.
Contact GIC to discuss whether your existing or proposed coffee packaging material is compatible with a GIC VFFS machine.
Coffee packaging speed depends on the machine, coffee product, pack dimensions, packaging material, filling system and required level of weight accuracy.
GIC offers both intermittent and continuous-motion VFFS machines, allowing coffee producers to select equipment that matches their required output. The GIC 200 and GIC 400 offer speeds of up to 50 packs per minute, depending on the application.
For higher-volume production, the GIC 3100 offers speeds of up to 150 packs per minute, while the GIC 8100 can achieve speeds of up to 160 packs per minute under suitable conditions.
However, seal integrity, dosing accuracy and product handling may be more important than achieving the highest possible speed.
Contact GIC with your target packs-per-minute requirement for a tailored machine recommendation.
An intermittent-motion VFFS machine stops the packaging film momentarily while the horizontal seal is created and the finished bag is cut. This type of machine provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for many small and medium-volume coffee packaging operations.
A continuous-motion VFFS machine keeps the packaging film moving during sealing and is generally better suited to applications requiring higher output.
Coffee-compatible intermittent-motion models include the GIC200, GIC2100, GIC400 and GIC4100. Continuous-motion options include the GIC3100 and GIC8100.
Machine selection should also consider bag size, filling equipment, packaging film and future growth.
Not sure which type is right for your operation? Speak to GIC for expert guidance.
A correctly specified VFFS packaging system can help protect coffee by producing consistently formed and securely sealed packs using suitable high-barrier materials.
Freshly roasted coffee beans and ground coffee release carbon dioxide after roasting. Without an appropriate way for this gas to escape, packs can expand or potentially burst. Coffee packaging may therefore require a one-way degassing valve that allows carbon dioxide to leave the pack while helping prevent oxygen from entering.
Gas flushing, also known as modified atmosphere packaging, may also be incorporated where a longer finished product shelf life is required.
The film, sealing system, valve arrangement and VFFS machine should all be considered as part of one complete solution.
Read more about VFFS machines for ground coffee and coffee beans.
Contact GIC to discuss the freshness, shelf-life and sealing requirements of your coffee products.
Yes. GIC VFFS machines can be integrated with suitable coffee dosing and weighing equipment as part of a complete packaging line.
The ideal filling system will depend on the product. Whole coffee beans can generally be handled using an appropriate weighing system, while ground coffee is commonly dosed using an auger filler to support accurate and consistent fill weights.
The VFFS machine may also need to connect with upstream equipment such as roasters, vacuum loaders, grinders and product conveyors, as well as downstream systems including checkweighers, metal detectors, labelling equipment, conveyors and case-packing machinery.
GIC can supply turnkey packaging solutions that bring the different elements of the production line together.
Contact GIC to discuss a new coffee packaging line or the integration of a VFFS machine with your existing equipment.
Yes. Depending on the selected model and machine configuration, a GIC VFFS machine can produce different bag lengths and pack sizes.
This can be particularly useful for coffee roasters and manufacturers that offer several product sizes, such as smaller retail coffee bags, subscription packs and larger catering or foodservice formats.
The GIC200 is suitable for narrower packs, while models such as the GIC400, GIC4100, GIC3100 and GIC8100 accommodate wider formats.
Changeovers may require adjustments or a different forming set, depending on the difference between the required bag widths and styles.
Send your smallest and largest required coffee bag dimensions to GIC through the contact page for a suitable machine recommendation.
GIC has been designing, manufacturing, installing and servicing vertical form fill seal packaging machines for over four decades.
Its machines are designed and manufactured in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, and the specialist coffee range covers everything from compact intermittent-motion machines to high-speed continuous-motion systems.
GIC can support coffee producers with machine specification, filling-system integration, turnkey line design, operator training, servicing, spare parts and ongoing technical assistance. This provides one point of contact throughout the working life of the machine.
You can learn more about the company on the About GIC page, explore its coffee packaging machinery or review the complete VFFS machine range.
Looking for a UK-manufactured coffee packaging machine? Contact GIC or call +44 (0) 1427 611885 to discuss your requirements.