Vertical form fill and seal: Delivering the sweet taste of success
When it comes to confectionery, the importance of packaging cannot be overstated. How a confectionery product is presented can have a real and significant influence on sales, so getting the packaging right is essential.
At GIC, we have a strong track record of supplying vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) packaging machines to confectionery manufacturers.
If you’re a growing confectionery supplier considering upgrading your packaging machinery or investing in your first automated line, there are several things to consider.
The Confectionery’s Characteristics
The first step in selecting the right VFFS packaging machine for confectionery is thoroughly understanding your product’s characteristics. Different types of confectionery, such as naked or wrapped chocolates, gums, boiled sweets, dolly mix or hard candy, have varying consistencies, shapes, sizes, and fragility. These factors will influence the VFFS machine and the pack material and packaging process you should employ. For example, delicate chocolates may require gentler handling than robust hard candies.
Packaging Material
Selecting the appropriate packaging material is essential for preserving the freshness and quality of your confectionery. VFFS machines can accommodate a variety of materials, including plastic films, laminates, and paper. When choosing the material, you and your packaging material supplier will need to consider various factors, including barrier properties, seal integrity, and aesthetics. Transparent films are often preferred for confectionery to showcase the product and entice consumers, while barrier films can protect against moisture and external contaminants.
Bag Style And Size
Confectionery products come in various shapes and sizes, and your bag style and size should align with your product’s dimensions and presentation preferences. Popular bag styles for confectionery include pillow bags, doy, quad, re-closable and resealable. Be sure to select a bag size that accommodates your product comfortably while leaving some room for branding and labelling.
Speed And Efficiency
VFFS machines vary in terms of their speed and efficiency. Your desired hourly throughput will influence the machine’s specifications. Faster machines may be necessary for high-volume production but may increase the chance of the product being damaged. Slower machines will reduce your throughput but should be more gentle on the confectionery. You also need to think about how easy it will be to change from one product to another and the ease of maintenance to reduce downtime.
Product Handling
Efficient product handling is crucial to prevent damage and ensure the consistency of your confectionery products. Some VFFS machines are equipped with gentle product handling systems to minimize product damage and maintain product integrity during packaging.
The way the confectionery is presented to the VFFS machine also needs to be considered, as multi-head weighers and linear weighers operate differently.
Sustainability
We can’t talk about packaging without considering the environment. Today, many consumers prefer recyclable packaging, and thankfully, GIC VFFS machines can run recyclable and biodegradable materials.
We work with a wide range of clients, including several confectionery manufacturers, some just starting to move towards automated packaging and others upgrading their machinery and knowing what they require. Irrespective of where you are on your journey, if you need help, advice or a quotation, please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing info@gic.uk.net, calling 01472 611 885 or filling in our contact form.
