PET Food Processing - December 2018 - 68

PACKAGING

"Sample packs, which are commonly produced
on form-fill-seal equipment, allow brand owners
to offer a low-cost entry point."
Weijia Zhang, Peel Plastic Products
number of pet-owning households over the past decade. But the humanization of pets and the subsequent
premiumization of pet food are two key factors driving
growth," observes Todd Addison, vice president, business development for Transcontinental (TC) Packaging,
a Montreal-headquartered company that specializes in
extrusion, lamination, printing and converting.
Given the competitiveness and increasing importance
of package type and design, processors are seeking packaging materials and systems that are versatile and efficient. "Flexible is taking off, and it's in a lot of different
shapes for pet food - it's not only pillow packs. You can
have a gusseted four-sided seal, flat bottom or premade
pouches," Duncan says. "Even soft pet food is being put
in flexible packaging."
"Usually, dry pet food products are mainly packed in a
small or medium-size stand-up pouch or flat sachet pouch.
Big formats are not so common in this type of pet food, but
they are possible," Alberich adds.
Pet food processors require FFS systems to offer
an increasing range of bag
formats including pillow,
gusseted, block bottom,
quad 4-corner seal , doy
and 3-side seal bags.
BW Packaging Systems

A better fit
FFS systems are increasingly used in pet treat processing. "FFS equipment is often a better fit for the snacks,
treats and specialty segments of the pet food industry," reports Braden Beam, bag filling leader at BW
Packaging Systems. The company offers both vertical
and horizontal FFS flexible packaging equipment to

handle a variety of bag types and products, he says.
Another area for FFS applications is in soft pet food.
"Wet/fresh pet food is usually packed into stand-up pouch
formats of all sizes. In this case, the product differentiation
through the packaging plays a big role in the design, especially in small formats," notes Alberich.
Weijia Zhang, business development manager for Peel
Plastic Products, Brampton, Ontario, points to other
types of pet food products packaged using FFS machines.
"Where we do see more form-fill-seal requirements are
for smaller formats and sample packs. Sample packs,
which are commonly produced on form-fill-seal equipment, allow brand owners to offer a low-cost entry point
for pets to consume and pet owners to evaluate the product," he remarks. Peel Plastic offers rollstock film that
complements premade offerings, including soft touch
matte films, metallized barrier films and renewable bioPE (biopolyethylene) that let brand owners maintain consistency in the brand regardless of format and size.
At TC Packaging, Addison says demand for flexible
packaging in the pet industry has given rise to the use of
a broader array of materials. "We offer a variety of flexible plastic and paper packaging including rollstock, bags
and pouches, shrink films and chub films for fresh pet
food, dry food, and snacks and treats," he reports.
While there is more variety in pet food packages
available today, flexible packaging made possible with
FFS systems dovetails into consumer demand for sustainability. "People are looking at less packaging for less
waste overall," Duncan points out.

Flexibility meets flexible
As processors get busier with more products to package,
what's required from FFS machines? "They want versatility," Duncan declares, noting that many processors
offer several different sizes in each product line, which
requires more options and quick turnover. She cites FFS
systems such as the company's Matrix machines that
are installed in pet food facilities and ProMach machines for large lines. In addition, she says the company
is working closely with Umbra, which offers different
types of top seals.
Duncan also points to the success of many smaller,
start-up brands in the pet food market, that are looking
for efficiency as well as versatility. "The smaller companies

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PET Food Processing - December 2018

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