Sustainable food packages
MAP, vacuum and skin packages are greatly contributing to ensuring food safety and prolonging shelf life. To protect the environment with sustainable solutions, we at GEA are committed to reducing the use of plastic in food packaging. One example of a smart solution: The cardboard-based GEA FoodTray now uses this renewable and recyclable resource as a carrier for a comparatively thin bottom film. During the thermoforming process, both are combined to create a stiff and yet sustainable tray which is then sealed to make a high-quality food package. It enables manufacturers to be more sustainable while still ensuring food safety and reducing waste.
Main Applications
The resource-saving GEA FoodTray is a high-quality MAP food package produced in a form-fill-seal process to preserve food products, such as meat, meat substitutes, fish and seafood, dairy or bakery products, safely.
Key benefits
Sustainable and resource-saving alternative to MAP or vacuum packs made of plastic only
- Saves up to 80% of plastic material compared with conventional food packaging
- Can completely be made of recycled and recyclable materials (paper and film)
- Easy separation of paper and plastic parts
- Fully recyclable and sustainable
Eye-catching design opportunities
- Cardboard allows all kinds of printing options to make a product more attractive, and make space for additional printed information, even in small batches
- To be used with the GEA PowerPak and PowerPak PLUS thermoformers
Sustainable food packaging with the GEA PowerPak PLUS thermoformer and GEA FoodTray
Specifications
GEA FoodTray components and applicationThe GEA FoodTray consists of a pre-made cardboard tray, a thin film inlay and a thin top film made out of mono-materials. The thermoformer just needs the addition of a module for tray denesting and tray loading into the thermoforming packaging machine.
GEA FoodTray in-line production process
The GEA FoodTray can be assembled easily and automatically in a form-fill-seal system such as the GEA PowerPak or PowerPak PLUS in 4 steps:
- Denesting
A denesting and loading unit automatically transfers single units from the stacks of pre-manufactured cardboard trays to the forming station of the thermoformer. - Forming
In the forming system a thin flexible bottom film is formed into the trays by vacuum and compressed air. The film is then spot sealed to the upper rim of the cardboard trays using heatable plugs. - Loading
The trays are filled with the designated products, either automatically or by hand. - Sealing
In the sealing station, the FoodTrays are covered with the top film, which is then sealed to the bottom film.
Technical Data
| Outer Material | Cardboard printable with up to 6 colors + laquer finish |
| Inlay | Flexible thermoforming film with special, low shrinking technology |
| Top film | Thermoforming film or paper compound printable with up to 11 colors + laquer finish |
| Sizes | Height 20- 60mm |
| Processing capacity | 45 – 90 packages/minute |
Unsure, whether your products can be packaged using GEA FoodTray? Contact us to talk about your options!
Line adaptions
GEA PowerPak and PowerPak PLUS form-fill-seal systems
The sustainable, innovative GEA FoodTray is perfectly adapted to the extremely flexible and user-friendly GEA PowerPak and PowerPak PLUS thermoforming packaging machines. They provide high-quality horizontal packaging of food products such as meat and processed meat products such as sausages and cold cuts, cheese or dairy products, fish and seafood, vegetarian or vegan products, fruits and vegetables as well as pastries, and other baked goods.
The GEA FoodTray with the GEA PowerPak PLUS thermoformer
Related Products
Premium thermoforming
The premium GEA PowerPak PLUS thermoforming packaging machine provides maximum control over the form-fill-seal processes for better package quality, higher production capacity, simple access and easier handling for users. This robust construction ensures better hygiene and reduces operating costs with high availably and flexibility.
GEA Powerpak | Modular thermoformer
The reliable GEA PowerPak modular thermoforming packaging machine ensures fast, safe and high adaptable horizontal packaging of food products in vacuum and MAP packs of any kind in high-quality and with maximum flexibility.
Service Products
GEA First Aid Kits
In the food packaging industry, performance is paramount. High-speed slicing and packaging systems must function flawlessly to maximise productivity. Any unscheduled downtime is unacceptable, so it’s essential that you keep your equipment healthy.
GEA RemotePartner
GEA RemotePartner combines digital machine access and remote support to help you swiftly identify the root cause of any equipment issue and get instant assistance from GEA experts. The result: faster issue diagnostics and resolution, enhanced machine performance, greater efficiency and minimal downtime.
GEA InsightPartner
By providing instant access to real-time equipment data, InsightPartner helps food processors manage their production better. Our cloud-based solution provides advanced analytics and comprehensive insights based on continuous data monitoring.
