VFFS Machinery for Frozen Food
Frozen Foods
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 play an essential role in some of the country’s largest suppliers of frozen foods. GIC machines are designed and built in Gainsborough to exacting standards.
We are a gold-level partner in the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork™ programme, and all our component suppliers are hand-picked for quality and reliability.
Irrespective of whether you are packing proteins, frozen vegetables, chips or ice lollies, we can design a machine customised to your requirements. We back up our engineering excellence with operator training and comprehensive service and maintenance plans to ensure hassle-free 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 five key things to consider.
Packaging frozen foods presents a unique range of operational and engineering challenges. Equipment installed in these facilities must be carefully designed. It must be reliable and efficient yet easy to maintain and operate while withstanding low temperatures and complying with strict hygiene standards.
VFFS packaging machines operating in frozen food factories often require specially designed forming sets. When developing your machine, our team will consider the type of product, piece weight and size. IQF products can sometimes present problems where the wrapping material needs to be protected during the machine packaging cycle. Similar issues must also be addressed when specifying the product feed system, including a simple linear type weigher, servo volumetric filler, and multi-head weighers.
Not all packaging materials are suitable for use in a frozen food factory. Our machines are ideally suited to handle the frozen food sector’s packaging materials of choice: recyclable LDPE (polyethylene) materials, which offers high puncture resistance during distribution and in-store display, and high-performance laminate materials often used for premium product applications. Our VFFS machines can be specified with dual sealing systems to handle either type of material.
All GIC machines can be fully interfaced to a range of secondary packaging machinery, including cardboard box erectors, filling machinery, and plastic reusable crate systems. This end-of-line plant will also include check weighers, metal detection machinery and pallet loading equipment.
For the vertical seal, we can off er the TOSS HAS system continuous motion machines. This non-contact, low-maintenance system is ideally suited to working at high speeds in frozen food factories and is compatible with LDPE fi lm and other similar films.
For Frozen Foods
GIC 2100
- Maximum pack size250mm x 400mm
- Maximum speed90 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom, Euroslot, Quad
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
GIC 3000 – Continuous Motion Variants
- Maximum pack size250mm
- Maximum speed100 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
GIC 3100
- Maximum pack size250mm x 400mm
- Maximum speed160 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom, Euroslot, Quad
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
GIC 4100
- Maximum pack size400mm x 500mm
- Maximum speed60 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom, Euroslot, Quad
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
GIC 5100
- Maximum pack size500mm
- Maximum speed25 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
GIC 8000 – Continuous Motion Variants
- Maximum pack size400mm
- Maximum speed100 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
GIC 8100
- 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
Choosing the right frozen food packaging machine is essential for maintaining product quality, protecting against moisture and contamination, and ensuring efficient, reliable production. Whether you’re packaging frozen vegetables, fruit, meat, seafood or ready meals, understanding the available machinery, packaging formats and automation options can help you select the most suitable solution. Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about frozen food packaging machines, including how GIC’s vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) solutions can improve packaging efficiency, reduce downtime and deliver consistent, high-quality packaging for the frozen food industry.
The best vertical form fill seal machine for frozen foods depends on the type of product being packed, required pack size, target production speed, packaging material and the filling or weighing system being used.
GIC offers a range of VFFS packaging machines suitable for frozen food applications. These include intermittent-motion machines such as the GIC2100, GIC4100 and GIC5100, through to high-speed continuous-motion machines including the GIC3000, GIC3100, GIC8000 and GIC8100.
The correct machine should be selected around the frozen product, pack dimensions, required output, packaging film and wider production line rather than speed alone.
Contact GIC to discuss your frozen food product, pack format and required production output with an experienced application specialist.
GIC vertical form fill seal machines can be configured to package a wide variety of frozen foods, including frozen vegetables, fish, chips, proteins, ice lollies and other individually quick frozen (IQF) products.
Different frozen products can present different packaging challenges. Product size, shape, piece weight and surface characteristics can all affect the way the product needs to be weighed, fed and transferred into the bag.
GIC can design the machine, forming set and product feed system around the characteristics of the frozen product to help achieve reliable filling and consistent packaging.
Machines including the GIC2100, GIC3000, GIC3100, GIC4100, GIC5100, GIC8000 and GIC8100 are suitable for frozen food applications.
Speak to GIC about the frozen products you need to package and the team can recommend an appropriate machine and line configuration.
Frozen food packaging presents a number of specific operational and engineering challenges. Machinery needs to operate reliably in low-temperature environments while also meeting the hygiene requirements associated with food production.
Product handling is another important consideration. IQF products can require specially designed forming sets to protect both the product and packaging material during the packaging cycle.
The product type, individual piece size and weight, packaging film, filling system and required production speed should therefore all be considered when specifying a frozen food packaging machine.
GIC machines can be configured specifically for frozen food environments, with appropriate construction, sealing technology and integration with weighing and feeding equipment.
Contact GIC to discuss the specific requirements of your frozen food production environment.
GIC frozen food packaging machines can operate with suitable heat-sealable packaging materials including polyethylene films and high-performance laminates.
Recyclable LDPE polyethylene is commonly used within frozen food applications because of its puncture resistance during production, distribution and retail display. High-performance laminate materials can also be used where the product or pack specification requires them.
GIC VFFS machines can be specified with appropriate sealing systems to accommodate different packaging materials, while models such as the GIC2100, GIC3000, GIC3100, GIC4100, GIC5100, GIC8000 and GIC8100 are available with optional impulse sealing.
GIC’s continuous motion VFFS (Vertical Form Fill Seal) bagging machines offer the option of non-contact vertical sealing technology, allowing the use of thinner packaging films while maintaining consistent seal quality and pack integrity. Available on the GIC3000, GIC3100, GIC8000 and GIC8100, this optional feature can help reduce packaging material usage, lower film costs and support more sustainable packaging. Combining continuous motion technology with flexible machine configurations, GIC provides high-performance bagging machine solutions tailored to your product and production requirements.
The packaging material and sealing system should be specified together to achieve reliable seals within the frozen food production environment.
Contact GIC to discuss whether your existing or proposed frozen food packaging material is suitable for your chosen VFFS machine.
GIC offers frozen food packaging machines covering a range of pack widths and formats, allowing equipment to be selected around both the product and required finished pack.
The GIC2100, GIC3000 and GIC3100 are suitable for applications requiring packs up to 250mm wide, while the GIC4100, GIC8000 and GIC8100 provide solutions for wider packs of up to 400mm.
For applications requiring particularly large packs, the GIC5100 provides capacity for packs up to 500mm wide.
Machine selection should take account of both the smallest and largest packs you intend to produce, together with the required bag format, product weight and production speed.
Send GIC details of your required frozen food pack dimensions for advice on the most appropriate machine.
Frozen food packaging speed depends on several factors, including the machine model, frozen product, pack dimensions, packaging material, filling system and how consistently the product can be presented to the machine.
For medium-output applications, intermittent-motion machines such as the GIC2100 provide a flexible solution. Larger intermittent-motion machines such as the GIC4100 and GIC5100 are available where greater bag widths are required.
For higher-volume frozen food production, continuous-motion machines such as the GIC3000, GIC3100, GIC8000 and GIC8100 can provide increased throughput.
The GIC3100 and GIC8100, for example, can achieve speeds of up to 160 packs per minute under suitable conditions.
Maximum machine speed should not be considered in isolation. Product feeding, weighing accuracy, film performance, seal integrity and downstream equipment can all influence the overall output of the packaging line.
Contact GIC with your required packs-per-minute output for a tailored machine recommendation.
An intermittent-motion VFFS machine temporarily stops the packaging film while the horizontal seal is formed and the finished bag is cut.
Frozen-food-compatible intermittent-motion models include the GIC2100, GIC4100 and GIC5100. These machines provide different maximum bag widths and production capabilities to suit a range of frozen food applications.
A continuous-motion VFFS machine keeps the film moving through the sealing process and is generally better suited to applications requiring higher production speeds.
GIC’s continuous-motion frozen food options include the GIC3000, GIC3100, GIC8000 and GIC8100.
The right choice will depend on the required pack size, production output, product characteristics, filling system and packaging material.
Not sure whether intermittent or continuous motion is right for your frozen food operation? Speak to GIC for expert guidance.
Yes. GIC VFFS machines can be integrated with a variety of product feeding and weighing systems to create a complete frozen food packaging line.
The correct filling system depends on the frozen product, individual piece size and weight, required pack weight and production output. Depending on the application, solutions can include linear weighers, servo volumetric fillers and multi-head weighers.
The GIC2100, for example, can integrate with multi-head weighers, linear weighers, volumetric fillers and bucket elevators, allowing the packaging machine and product feeding system to operate as one coordinated line.
GIC can also integrate its packaging machines with upstream and downstream production equipment.
Contact GIC to discuss the integration of a new frozen food packaging machine with your existing weighing or feeding equipment.
Yes. GIC machines can be integrated with secondary and end-of-line equipment to create a complete automated frozen food packaging solution.
Depending on the production line, this can include cardboard box erectors, filling machinery, reusable plastic crate systems, checkweighers, metal detection equipment and pallet-loading systems.
Machines such as the GIC3000, GIC3100, GIC8000 and GIC8100 can form part of higher-output automated lines where reliable communication between the VFFS machine and surrounding equipment is particularly important.
Considering the complete line at the machine specification stage can help improve overall production efficiency and reduce potential bottlenecks.
Speak to GIC about integrating a VFFS machine with your existing or planned frozen food packaging line.
GIC has been designing, manufacturing, installing and servicing vertical form fill seal packaging machines for four decades, with its UK-manufactured equipment used within frozen food production environments.
GIC’s specialist frozen food range includes the GIC2100, GIC3000, GIC3100, GIC4100, GIC5100, GIC8000 and GIC8100, providing a choice of intermittent and continuous-motion machines for different pack sizes and production requirements.
Machines can be customised around the frozen product, packaging material, filling system, pack format and required output. GIC can also support producers with line integration, operator training, servicing and ongoing maintenance.
This provides frozen food manufacturers with one point of contact from initial machine specification through to installation and ongoing technical support.
Looking for a UK-manufactured frozen food packaging machine? Contact GIC or call +44 (0) 1427 611885 to discuss your requirements.