Sustainable Laminates

Research, Analysis & Tests

Our machines have undergone rigorous testing with thousands of sustainable film laminates, following these steps:

1. Preliminary analysis of the laminate, focusing on its key characteristics in relation to our packaging technology.
2. Laminate machinability testing, allowing for parameter adjustments to achieve optimal results.
3. Analysis of the outcomes obtained.
4. Final evaluation involving laminate suppliers to ensure thorough inspection before endorsement.

Universal Pack machines and production lines can accommodate various sustainable laminates, including:

• PP – Polypropylene
• PLA – Polyactic Acid
• PA – Paper
• Bio-PE – Bio-based Polyethylene

Successful Applications

Universal Pack machines are renowned worldwide for their reliability and are chosen by the greatest multinational companies when it comes to testing and launching innovative materials. The current global need for more eco-friendly laminates that are either more easily disposable (e.g. monomaterial, recyclable) or that come with a reduced carbon footprint (e.g. compostable, recycled) calls for constant support, good communication and feedbacks from the side of machines producers. Universal Pack plays a central role in the research and development of this kind of solutions. This is the reason why major global companies keep on choosing us as their single supplier for primary and secondary packaging machines able to process sustainable laminates. Our work with both film suppliers and major multinational companies is something we take pride in and we nourish. 

Some of the latest applications from Universal Pack in this field include high-barrier compostable stick packs containing nutraceutical powders. More on it here. Other applications that are worth mentioning include:

• Recycle ready sachets for the pharmaceutical industry
• Paper-based laminate for the food industry

For these specific applications, Universal Pack has developed an innovative and optimized sealing technology allowing to work with laminates that are more sensitive such as compostable films.

The Technology

Our journey towards more sustainable packaging solutions began over 15 years ago when we introduced the first packaging machines capable of seamlessly processing recyclable laminating films. Since then, we have made significant progress, involving numerous research efforts, studies, analyses, and tests, all aimed at refining our technology.

When it comes to working with sustainable laminates (compostable, recyclable, and recycled), it is crucial to avoid subjecting the film to excessive stress factors like heat, tension, and pressure, as eco-friendly films tend to be more sensitive to these influences. Simultaneously, maintaining high production rates is vital in today’s fast-paced industry. One notable achievement resulting from these efforts is the development of our innovative sealing technology, which we employ today to ensure precise temperature control across the entire sealing bar, with an extremely low temperature difference between the heating elements and the actual sealing bars.