ROVEMA UK has successfully delivered an advanced sugar packaging solution for British Sugar. Helping to modernise their production with a flexible, high-performance, brick pack system capable of handling a multitude of product formats, all while overcoming installation challenges along the way.
Every new packaging project presents its own unique requirements, and for British Sugar, the objective was very clear: Introduce a highly flexible packaging solution that can produce a variety of retail sugar formats, whilst also maintaining exceptional pack quality, efficiency and long-term reliability.
Working closely with the team at British Sugar, ROVEMA UK supplied and installed both its SBS Single Tube and SBS Twin Tube brick pack systems, creating a versatile production solution capable of packing sugar products ranging from 500g through to 2kg into fully recyclable, shelf-ready brick packs.
Engineering Beyond the Machine
This project clearly demonstrated that successful installations rely on much more than supplying world-class machinery. One of the biggest challenges came before the production had even begun.
With the packaging equipment destined for a second-floor production area, the standard and conventional installation methods were not feasible due to restricted access. Rather than allowing the building constraints to dictate the project, ROVEMA engineers redesigned the machines so they could be transported into the location in two sections, carefully hoisted into position before being reassembled and commissioned on-site.
ROVEMA firmly believes that customers should never have to adapt their vision to suit the equipment. This customer-focused approach enabled the installation to proceed without compromising the machine's performance or design, demonstrating ROVEMA’s commitment to delivering innovative engineering solutions while fully meeting British Sugar's installation requirements.
Flexible Packaging for Multiple Formats
Located within British Sugar’s packing facility, the SBS Single and SBS Twin Tube systems provide the flexibility needed to package a broad range of sugar products on the same production line.
The ROVEMA SBS system combines Vertical Form Fill and Seal (VFFS) technology with specialist downstream modules to create compact, stackable brick packs in one continuous process.
While widely recognised for powder applications, the SBS platform has a record proven of versatility across the food and non-food sectors, with more than 350 installations operating today worldwide.
Its modular design optimises every stage of the packaging process, from bag forming and accurate filling through to sealing and final pack shaping, ensuring consistent quality regardless of the product format.
The SBS Twin Tube system itself is delivering impressive outputs of up to 100 bags per minute on the British Sugar application, with the wider SBS platform currently operating at speeds of up to 160 bags per minute depending on the product and pack formats.
Working alongside the twin-tube system, the SBS Single Tube machine provides additional production flexibility while maintaining identical levels of precision, pack quality and reliability before transferring finished packs directly to the downstream palletising system.
Precision Filling for Consistent Performance
Positioned above each packaging machine is a ROVEMA SDH Servo Auger Doser, designed to deliver accurate filling performance while maintaining high production speeds.
Using servo-controlled auger technology, the system precisely controls exactly how much product enters every pack.
Continuous product mixing within the hopper ensures an even product flow, while the gentle filling minimises any dust generation, helping maintain clean seals, consistent weights, and reliable packaging performance all throughout production.
Building Long-Term Partnerships
Since commissioning the systems, British Sugar has achieved production outputs that have exceeded expectations on selected pack formats, demonstrating the benefits of combining advanced packaging technology with collaborative project management.
For ROVEMA, this project reflects the company's philosophy that every installation is different and should be tailored to the customer's operational requirements.
Whether overcoming complex installation constraints, integrating specialist dosing technology, or delivering flexible packaging solutions capable of supporting future production demands, the focus remains the same: helping customers achieve reliable, efficient and long-term packaging performance.
Alex Spain, Marketing Manager at ROVEMA UK, commented:
"Every customer has different production requirements, and that's why collaboration is such an important part of every project we undertake. This installation demonstrates that our job is so much more than simply supplying a packaging machine. We need to understand each application, overcome any engineering challenges, and deliver a tailored solution that continues to perform for many years. We're delighted to have supported British Sugar with this project and look forward to continuing our strong partnership."
For manufacturers looking to improve packaging efficiency, increase flexibility or modernise existing production lines, ROVEMA UK provides complete packaging solutions, from product trials and system design through to installation, commissioning and ongoing lifecycle support.