FRANK VON WIEDING
When evaluating a packaging line, simply looking at the investment costs is no longer sufficient. What matters is how efficient the line is in daily operation and what the actual cost per package is. The German manufacturer SEALPAC pursues an approach with its packaging machines that does not consider profitability in isolation, but rather understands it as the result of a meticulously coordinated overall system.
At Interpack 2026 from May 7th to 13th in Düsseldorf, under the motto "It's all about your costs", the packaging experts will demonstrate how their high-tech traysealers and thermoformers shift the focus from individual key performance indicators to a holistic view of processes, resources, and uptime. The core principle is understanding that sustainable cost reductions per package are only achievable when all relevant factors are combined. Energy consumption, material usage, changeover times, and process stability, even when using more challenging mono-materials, are directly interconnected. SEALPAC therefore develops its traysealers and thermoformers not as isolated machines, but as easily integrated systems that optimize their interaction.
Uptime as a key variable
Machine availability is of paramount importance. Every unplanned interruption, inefficient movement, or disruption in the process directly impacts production costs. Against this backdrop, the packaging machines from Oldenburg in Germany are consistently designed for stable, reproducible processes. SEALPAC therefore relies on robust construction, intelligent monitoring systems, and automated assistance functions that ensure flawless operation again and again. Built-in packaging assistants continuously analyse the machine condition, detect deviations early, and support maintenance processes. In this way, downtime can be reduced and processes stabilized in the long term, making a significant contribution to lowering overall costs.
Efficiency through intelligent control
Another key variable is the efficient use of resources. SEALPAC machines are designed to use energy and materials as sparingly as possible without compromising performance or quality. Intelligent control systems ensure that the latest generation of traysealers and thermoformers continuously adjust their output to the actual workload and always operate within their optimal range. This is complemented by design features that reduce compressed air consumption and prevent energy losses. Given rising energy prices, this aspect is becoming increasingly important. At the same time, packaging quality remains consistently high, even when using modern, resource-saving solutions such as ultralight trays or mono-material films. This is particularly crucial in sensitive sectors like meat, poultry, seafood, or dairy processing.
Sustainability and recycling
In the construction of any SEALPAC machine, there can be no compromise on quality. They must be able to adapt to new demands and run hundreds of millions of packs for decades, making them the most sustainable packaging machines out in the market. The company also has a strong focus on recycling, ever since it was founded. This applies to parts used on the machines, but also to the ability to reliably handle fully recyclable materials and paper-based concepts with minimal consumption. On the majority of its installed base, this can be done without requiring a new machine. That is sustainability at the lowest possible cost, and without headaches.
Flexibility as an economic factor
The demands on the flexibility of packaging machines have also increased. Smaller batch sizes, frequent product changes, and diverse packaging concepts are increasingly shaping everyday production. SEALPAC addresses this development with machines that enable rapid tool changes and efficient changeovers. This allows for new requirements to be implemented economically without bringing additional complexity into production. Furthermore, SEALPAC sees itself as a system partner. Integration into existing lines, adaptation to different materials, and customization to individual production environments are obvious parts of its approach. This results in technically compelling solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing processes.
“The benefits are clearly measurable, namely lower costs per package and a rapid return on investment for the technology used. Ultimately, what counts is the result a machine delivers in everyday operation. Our customers should be confident that their investment will pay off in the long term and function reliably in daily use,” emphasizes Marcel Veenstra, Marketing & Communications Manager at SEALPAC.