Liquid
Liquids
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 liquid products.
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 soups, sauces, marinades or liquid based chemicals 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 ensurehassle-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
When packing liquids with a vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) machine, several factors need to be considered to ensure efficient and effective packaging.
We need to understand the product and its characteristics, including the required temperature at the point of packing, the size of the particulates within the liquid and its viscosity.
The speed of the transport cycle may have to match the pump dosing to avoid contamination of the following seal area. The viscosity of the liquid can vary a lot, with some flowing more quickly than others impacting the speed of the dosing.
Ensuring the pump operates in synergy with the bag forming is crucial. The liquid can splash onto the side of the pack if the pump is too fast. If the pump is too slow, valuable time will be lost, possibly leading to seal contamination. We are experienced in working with pump manufacturers to ensure the optimum design and seamless integration with our vertical form fill and seal machines.
Our experience tells us there is no ‘off the shelf’ solution for packing liquids. Every project needs a bespoke solution.
GIC work closely our Customers to find the correct film specifications. Several factors must be considered when deciding which type of film is best for the application, including sealability, puncture resistance, the ability to take the product’s weight when running a hot fill, and light infiltration.
Most liquids are packaged in a laminate film, with nylon, PET or OPP on the outside and polyethylene on the inside. GIC are also working with various film manufacturers to provide solutions on our machinery for recyclable, biodegradable and other sustainable films.
Most liquids are packed in pillow packs, but at GIC, we can also configure our machine type to pack into a piping bag, which makes releasing the liquid incredibly easy and accurate – you just cut one corner off the trapezoidal pack and squeeze.
As most companies working with liquids tend to do lots of short runs, of around two to three hours, they are changing the forming set regularly and will require several forming sets, one for each pack width. The ease and speed at which the forming set can be removed and installed is particularly important, as is the availability of stainless steel forming sets for hygiene, which can be removed without using tools.
GIC 200
- Maximum pack size250mm
- 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. Optional impulse sealing
GIC 400
- 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. Optional impulse sealing
GIC 2100
- Maximum pack size250mm & 400mm
- Maximum speed70 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom
- Packaging materialsAll suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylenes. Optional impulse sealing
GIC 4100
- Maximum pack size250mm & 400mm
- Maximum speed70 packs per minute
- Pack formatsPillow, Gusset, Block Bottom
- 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 liquid packaging machine is essential for ensuring accurate filling, preventing leaks and maintaining product quality throughout the packaging process. Whether you’re packaging sauces, oils, dressings, detergents or other liquid products, understanding the available machinery, packaging formats and filling systems can help you select the most suitable solution. Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about liquid packaging machines, including how GIC’s vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) solutions can support efficient, hygienic and reliable packaging, reduce product waste and deliver consistent results across a wide range of liquid packaging applications.
The best vertical form fill seal machine for liquids depends on the characteristics of the product being packed, including its viscosity, temperature, particulate content, required pack size and target production speed.
GIC offers several VFFS packaging machines suitable for liquid applications, including the GIC200, GIC400, GIC2100 and GIC4100. These provide different maximum pack widths and production capabilities to suit a variety of liquid products and pack sizes.
Unlike many dry products, there is rarely an ‘off-the-shelf’ solution for packing liquids. The VFFS machine, pump dosing system, forming set, packaging film and sealing system all need to work together as one complete solution.
Contact GIC to discuss your liquid product, required pack format and production output with an experienced application specialist.
GIC vertical form fill seal machines can be configured to package a wide variety of liquid products, including soups, sauces, marinades and liquid-based chemicals.
The system can also accommodate suitable liquids containing suspended products or particulates, although the size and characteristics of those particulates need to be considered when specifying the filling and packaging equipment.
Machines such as the GIC200, GIC400, GIC2100 and GIC4100 can be configured around different liquid applications, pack sizes and production requirements.
The viscosity and required packing temperature of the product are particularly important because these influence the filling system, machine cycle and overall production speed.
Speak to GIC about the liquid you need to package and the team can recommend an appropriate machine and filling-system configuration.
Liquid viscosity can have a significant effect on the filling and packaging process. Thin, free-flowing liquids behave differently from thicker sauces, soups and marinades, so the filling system and machine cycle need to be configured accordingly.
The speed of the transport cycle needs to work in conjunction with the pump dosing system. If the pump operates too quickly, the liquid may splash onto the inside of the pack or contaminate the sealing area. If it operates too slowly, unnecessary time can be added to each packaging cycle.
This means the pump and VFFS machine need to operate in synergy to achieve accurate filling, clean seals and efficient production.
GIC has experience working with pump manufacturers to develop integrated liquid packaging systems around individual product characteristics.
Contact GIC with details of your product and its viscosity to discuss the most appropriate packaging solution.
Preventing contamination of the seal area is an important consideration when packaging liquids using a vertical form fill seal machine.
The timing of the liquid dosing system needs to be carefully coordinated with the machine cycle. If liquid enters the bag too quickly, splashing can contaminate the area where the horizontal seal needs to be created. If dosing takes too long, it can unnecessarily reduce production speed.
The characteristics of the liquid, including viscosity and the presence of particulates, also need to be considered when configuring the filling system.
GIC works with pump manufacturers to ensure the dosing system and VFFS machine operate together, helping to achieve clean, reliable seals while maintaining efficient production.
Speak to GIC about your liquid product, pump system and required output for advice on the most appropriate configuration.
GIC VFFS machines can be configured for suitable hot-fill liquid applications, but the temperature of the product at the point of packing needs to be considered during the machine specification process.
The packaging film must be capable of handling the product temperature and weight without compromising the integrity of the finished pack. The sealing system, filling equipment and machine cycle also need to be specified around the application.
Machines including the GIC200, GIC400, GIC2100 and GIC4100 provide options for different liquid pack sizes and production requirements.
Because hot-fill requirements can vary significantly between products, GIC recommends assessing the liquid, temperature, packaging film and filling system as part of one complete solution.
Contact GIC with your required filling temperature and pack specification for advice on the most appropriate machine configuration.
GIC liquid packaging machines can operate with suitable heat-sealable materials, including laminates and polyethylene films.
Liquid products are commonly packaged using laminate films with materials such as nylon, PET or OPP on the outside and polyethylene on the inside. However, the correct film specification depends on the individual application.
Important considerations include sealability, puncture resistance, the weight of the liquid, hot-fill requirements and whether the product needs protection from light infiltration.
GIC is also working with film manufacturers to provide solutions for recyclable, biodegradable and other more sustainable packaging materials.
The GIC200, GIC400, GIC2100 and GIC4100 can all work with suitable heat-sealable materials and can be specified with optional impulse sealing.
Contact GIC to discuss whether your existing or proposed liquid packaging film is compatible with your chosen VFFS machine.
Most liquid products packaged using a GIC VFFS machine are packed into pillow bags, although alternative formats can be produced depending on the application and selected machine.
GIC can also configure its liquid packaging machinery to produce a piping-style bag. This creates a trapezoidal pack where one corner can be cut off, allowing the contents to be squeezed or dispensed accurately.
This can be particularly useful for sauces and other liquid products where controlled dispensing is important to the end user.
The GIC200, GIC400, GIC2100 and GIC4100 provide different pack widths and configurations to suit a variety of liquid packaging requirements.
Speak to GIC about your required bag dimensions, liquid product and method of dispensing for advice on the most appropriate pack format.
GIC offers liquid packaging machines covering different maximum pack widths, allowing the equipment to be selected around the volume of liquid, finished pack dimensions and production requirements.
The GIC200 provides a maximum pack width of 250mm, while the GIC400 accommodates wider packs up to 400mm.
The GIC2100 and GIC4100 provide additional options for liquid packaging applications, with configurations available for pack widths of up to 250mm and 400mm depending on the machine specification.
Pack width is only one consideration when packaging liquids. The finished pack weight, liquid viscosity, filling temperature, film strength and filling-system capability should all be considered when selecting the equipment.
Send GIC details of your smallest and largest required liquid packs for a suitable machine recommendation.
Yes. Integration between the pump dosing system and VFFS machine is one of the most important considerations when designing an automated liquid packaging line.
The pump needs to deliver the correct volume of product at the appropriate point in the machine cycle. The filling speed needs to be controlled carefully to avoid splashing, unnecessary production delays and contamination of the sealing area.
The correct solution depends on factors including product viscosity, filling temperature, required dose, pack size and whether the liquid contains suspended solids or particulates.
The GIC200, GIC400, GIC2100 and GIC4100 can be configured as part of bespoke liquid packaging systems using suitable dosing equipment.
GIC has experience working with pump manufacturers to ensure the filling and packaging systems operate together effectively.
Contact GIC to discuss integrating a new VFFS machine with your existing or proposed liquid dosing system.
Yes. Depending on the selected machine and configuration, a GIC VFFS machine can produce different bag sizes for liquid products.
This can be particularly important for manufacturers producing multiple product sizes or carrying out shorter production runs. Changing between different bag widths generally requires a different forming set.
GIC notes that companies packing liquids often carry out relatively short runs of around two to three hours, meaning forming sets may need to be changed regularly.
The ease and speed with which the forming set can be removed and installed is therefore an important consideration. Stainless steel forming sets can also be provided for hygiene-sensitive applications and can be designed for tool-free removal.
Machines including the GIC200, GIC400, GIC2100 and GIC4100 provide options for different liquid pack widths and production requirements.
Send GIC details of the different liquid pack sizes you need to produce for advice on the most appropriate machine configuration.
GIC has been designing, installing and servicing vertical form fill seal packaging machines for four decades, with its UK-manufactured equipment used by some of the country’s largest suppliers of liquid products.
GIC’s liquid packaging range includes the GIC200, GIC400, GIC2100 and GIC4100, providing options for different pack sizes and production requirements.
Rather than offering a standard off-the-shelf solution, GIC can configure the packaging system around the individual liquid, including its viscosity, temperature, particulate content, required packaging film and pump dosing system.
Machines are designed and built in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, and GIC can also provide operator training alongside ongoing servicing and maintenance support.
This provides one point of contact from initial machine specification and pump integration through to installation and ongoing technical support.
Looking for a UK-manufactured liquid packaging machine? Contact GIC or call +44 (0) 1427 611885 to discuss your requirements.