GEA Launches New Thermoforming Packaging Machine - PowerPak 1000 Thermoformer

Under the motto RE:THINK PACKAGING, GEA will showcase its latest machine and control technologies for the food industry at Fachpack in Nuremberg, Germany, from September 24 to 26 (Hall 7A/Stand 563). The spotlight will be on the new PowerPak 1000 thermoformer, designed for packaging meat, meat substitutes, poultry, and cheese. This entry-level thermoforming machine offers advanced features typically found in higher-end models.

"We're excited to introduce the PowerPak 1000 to a broader audience. This machine enables smaller companies to enhance their packaging efficiency and output, backed by our extensive expertise and flexible service," says Stefan Runkel, Product Manager Thermoforming at GEA Food Application Solutions. For businesses transitioning from traditional vacuum chamber machines or traysealers to more versatile and efficient systems, the GEA solution offers additional benefits like adjustable pack sizes and reduced plastic usage.

The PowerPak 1000 is capable of producing vacuum, MAP, or skin packs, catering to various product and packaging needs, and allowing quick adaptation to changing consumer demands. Customers can experience and test this new packaging machine live at the GEA Technology and Application Center XLAB in Biedenkopf-Wallau, Germany.

Another highlight is the SmartPacker CX400, a vertical pillow bag packaging machine. It can produce four different types of pouches for a variety of products, including frozen and fresh fruits, vegetables, potatoes, and protein foods. Designed for high capacity and maximum productivity, this form-fill-seal model handles bag widths from 55 mm to 400 mm and can produce up to 120 bags per minute.

Key advantages of the CX400 include quick changeovers between bag formats and film types in under five minutes, and precise detection of product in the seal. The machine features hand-crafted forming shoulders with a high-tech composite surface, ensuring smooth film transport even in humid or wet conditions. The CX400's Smart Sealing System can seal up to one million bags before the sealing strips need replacement, which can be done quickly and without significant downtime, thanks to the click-and-go device.