Mespack, Menshen adapt existing heat seal technology on HFFS machines for new production method of LoTUS monomaterial spouted pouches; technology avoids low-melting additive in the spout, avoids slowing down of the machine, increases quality of sealing

Mespack and Menshen, the partners who work together innovating for sustainable solutions for the flexible packaging world

The LoTUS spout from Menshen is perfectly adapted to mono-material pouches thanks to the Mespack’s HFFS technology

Mespack, a leading manufacturer of innovative and sustainable flexible packaging solutions, and Menshen, leading manufacturer of closures and fitments, have been working together innovating for new sustainable solutions.

One of the current most challenging topics of the packaging industry today is the production of mono-material spouted pouches on horizontal form, fill and seal machines (HFFS). machines. Why is this a challenge? The original HFFS machines and spouts were designed to work with multi-material laminate structures, but now, when mono-material spouted pouch is required by the market, the old concepts no longer fit. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill, which can provide a solution, but the collaboration between machine, laminate and spout manufacturer can make it possible.

As a first step towards the perfect mono-material spouted pouch, the machine supplier Mespack and the weldspout specialist Menshen have already introduced the pre-heating technology in combination with the spout, low melting version. This solution is available on the market and works very well.

However, the companies have decided to continue to further improve this technology and try to achieve the following goals:

• Avoid, low-melting additive in the spout, which brings additional costs to the end customer.
• Avoid the slowing down of the machine, when using a mono-material laminate.
• Increase the quality of sealing.

As a solution, Menshen introduced a new spout design – MENSHEN-LoTUS™, which is a game changer, when it comes to adapting existing standard heat seal technology on HFFS machines to monomaterial structures. The biggest benefit of the new spout design is the ability to apply very high temperatures to the monolaminate, making the whole process much less dependent on heat resistance of the laminate.

Mespack has successfully integrated this solution into a machine, located in their Innovation Center. The initial goals were achieved and as with any good invention, several other positive outcomes were found:

• Line speed increased by 5 pouches per minute.
• Significant reduction of the amount of energy required for the preheating station.
• While some laminates, even the preheating station could be removed.

About Mespack: www.mespack.com

Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, Mespack is an international manufacturer of flexible packaging machinery, offering horizontal (roll-stock, pre-made, and hybrid), vertical form-fill-seal equipment for the production of to produce sachets, stick packs, film-based packaging (including stand-up pouches), water soluble pods, and end-of-line equipment (wrap around and American box). Mespack engineers and builds premium quality machinery for the world’s leading consumer packaged goods companies. Recognized as a highly innovative brand, and strongly committed to developing machinery to produce sustainable packaging solutions, Mespack has the largest product portfolio of the industry. Founded in 1994, and with more than 2,200 machines in service worldwide, Mespack has a sales network in over 90 countries as well as regional service centers, which provide expedited access to parts and services. Mespack serves the food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and pet food industries, among others. Mespack has more than 17.700m2 divided into three manufacturing plants: one in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda (Barcelona, Spain), another in Vadodara (India), and a third one in Des Plaines (Chicago, USA). Furthermore, Mespack has commercial offices in France, China, Malaysia, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala. It has recently opened Mespack Innovation Centre (MIC), a facility focused on developing innovative projects with the most state-of-the-art equipment that is prepared to test recyclable materials. Following the principles of open innovation, the company collaborates with key partners of the flexible packaging sector to co-create challenging and customized projects for its customers. Since 2015, Mespack has been part of Duravant, a global automation equipment company with a premium portfolio of products, services and integrated solutions.

About Menshen: www.menshen.com

Menshen is a leading manufacturer of closures and fitments, operating worldwide with 14 locations in 11 countries. Following the motto “Sustainable Innovator”, the closure specialist develops innovative product concepts with a focus on quality, product safety and sustainability. From a one-man operation to a globally operating company with around 1,400 employees worldwide – that is MENSHEN today. The history of the company and its founder Arnold Menshen is somewhat reminiscent of the “American Dream”: from a young man who collected scrap metal with a wheelbarrow to a company founder who turned a group of companies into a world market leader.