Taunton, Massachusetts-based Harpak-ULMA announced the availability of a thermoforming solution that offers more sustainable packaging for fresh food products.
The TFS 216 is designed to package fresh products in vacuum skin packs on a flat cardboard base. It uses cardboard roll stock to produce the flat, non-thermoformed base of the packaging – eliminating the need for a plastic tray while generating zero cardboard waste. The cardboard base material can be printed on both sides with product or marketing information and is registered.
The use of transport chains, a design common in most conventional thermoformers, requires that part of the original reel width be discarded as scrap. In contrast, the TFS 216 is equipped with an innovative bottom film traction system without chain, so the LeafSkin packaging produced retains all of the base material, regardless of its width. LeafSkin is one of ULMA’s sustainable packaging solutions, incorporating both an “easy open” corner to remove the lid and a “recycling” corner to separate the different materials and make the recycling process easier.
This TFS 216 is part of the ULMAweCare range of solutions, which target more sustainable packaging with a smaller environmental impact. Ken Forziati, Harpak-ULMA’s thermoformer product manager, expects the TFS 216 to enjoy rapid market uptake once the product is available in early 2023.
“It really delivers on two key customer concerns,” Forziati said. “First, it’s cost-effective. This approach saves up to 48 percent in base material costs compared to precut plastic trays. Given the lack of base cardboard scrap, it also saves up to 11 percent in scrap compared to other conventional thermoformers that employ chain transport systems. Second, it’s a big step forward in sustainability – reducing both plastic and food waste.
“The TFS 216 uses 100 percent recyclable cardboard, resulting in up to 80 percent less plastic compared to traditional skin packaging. It results in a longer shelf life, as well as in a smaller carbon footprint associated both with the transportation of packaging material and waste management.”
For more information about the TFS 216, visit harpak-ulma.com/equipment/tfs-216.
Harpak-ULMA will be at PackExpo 2022 Oct. 23-26 in Chicago at booth No. 3448 for live smart, connected machine demonstrations.
Harpak-ULMA provides smart, connected packaging systems utilizing Rockwell Automation’s controls and information platforms to deliver more efficiency, uptime and throughput, as well as better package quality and reduced waste. In addition to offering ULMA primary packaging systems and comprehensive automation solutions, Harpak-ULMA is the North American distributor of G. Mondini tray sealers. Harpak-ULMA joined the Rockwell Automation Partner Network in 2018 as part of its initiative to build and deploy smart, connected packaging solutions.
