FDBusiness.com

ACMA, a company of Coesia group, has developed a new range of solutions suitable to cover specific needs for the secondary packaging of tea bags. Different options are available: from pre-glued or flat blanks to pouches, from Bag-in-bags to micro-box with 10 units with overwrapping. Regardless of the choice, the product keeps its freshness and has an extended shelf life.

Freshness of teabag: advanced options for Secondary Packaging

For more than ninety years, ACMA has been a flagship company in the design, construction and marketing of fast-moving consumer goods packaging solutions. In the specific sector of tea, the company inherited a unique expertise in the primary packaging, thanks to the acquisition of the Tecnomeccanica brand, which allowed ACMA to reach quickly a leading role in the field. In the last years, the company’s R&D department developed a series of solutions to expand the portfolio, focusing on secondary packaging. Efficiency, sustainability and cost reduction were the main drivers, which moved the design and development of such solutions. Today, ACMA can support its clients with a complete range of “green” and cost effective machines, which – thanks to integrated auxiliary groups – can also cover all the processes following the tea bag packaging phase.

Dedicated sealed envelope for filter bags

Available on all machine models, the sealed envelope ensures product freshness providing a hermetic barrier for the filter. The feature may include gas flushing for additional protection and prolonged shelf life. The sealed outer envelope group is “foldseal-cut”, where the envelope is folded around the bag, then sealed and finally cut. In comparison to systems that cut the envelope and seal it around the bag, ACMA solution has the advantage to avoid envelope misalignment and the use of expensive packaging material, ensuring both an ecologic and economic benefit for customers.

Bag in bag multipack solution

Available on TM 320, but extendable on TD 300, this feature provides the sealed envelope of 2-3-4-5 filters at a time providing a reduction of outer envelope packaging material. This solution allows the purchase of a small envelope containing few tea bags, thus facilitating the selling of bags at kiosks in small units.

Teabag pouch of 20/25/50/100/150 bags

Available on TE 500, but extendable on TD 300 and TM 320, the pouch packing provides the sealing entire of rows of teabags, with counts from 20 to 150 bags, allowing both the reduction of outer envelope packaging material and of cardboard box costs. In addition, compared especially to single boxes, the pouching solution permits a dramatic reduction of shipping costs. This package is ideal for Horeca, where freshness and high rotation of single serve are predominant.

Primary Packaging: a thorough portfolio that meets all production needs

ACMA, also keep updating its portfolio of stand-alone machines for the primary packaging, which is based on four types of solutions. TD 300 is the company’s latest addition to create double chamber bags with string and double knot tag, capable of reaching 300 bags/minute, made without using glue and staples. TE 500 is the highperforming machine (500 bpm) for heat sealed double chamber with string and tag, while TM 320 – a true “best-seller” on the market – is dedicated to high-speed packaging of heat-sealed bags with string and tag, capable of working with a wider size range than any other machine on the field. Lastly, TL 180 processes whole tea leaves with single chamber with string and tags at low speed (180 bpm). ACMA machines that produce heat-sealed bags can operate recyclable and biodegradable materials, such as PLA, in order to guarantee a product with a low environmental impact. Another strength of the ACMA portfolio is the capacity of ensuring the perfect type of processing based on the different types of tea and herbal tea blend – including those with high sugar content, thanks to the dosing units designed by the company.

The value of innovation

Finally, the company is also investing in the study of new shapes of tea bags, leveraging on the support of its corporate. In fact, being part of Coesia Group, ACMA R&D department benefits from a wide knowledge in packaging machineries as well as in industrial process solutions from different industries (Food, Personal & Home Care, Beverages and Tobacco). The Group represents a great advantage in terms of new product development, where tea customer and ACMA can build a successful business case together.