by N. S.
From matcha to fruit gummies with exotic notes, major players are investing heavily in research and development to delight a global audience eager for novel, refined experiences. Meanwhile, health consciousness is rising: natural ingredients, reduced sugars and added nutritional functionality now feature prominently on retail shelves. In parallel, the appetite for artisanal, high‑end creations encourages more mindful consumption, where the quality and design of secondary packaging become true differentiators.
Demand for sustainable packs produced on highly flexible machinery
These trends affect not only the product itself but also the secondary packaging that must satisfy diverse international requirements for materials, formats, sustainability and production agility.
In this context, innovation in secondary packaging for confectionery becomes a strategic asset for meeting varied requests and the fast‑moving global market.
We discussed the topic with Cristian Sala, Sales Executive Manager at Cama Group, a leader in designing advanced solutions for packaging. Together we explored how technological innovation, deep market insight and hands‑on experience are driving ever‑more‑performant, tailor‑made packaging lines for the confectionery and snack industries.
What are the main trends Cama is seeing in the global confectionery and snack markets regarding secondary packaging?
“In recent years we have witnessed a sharp fragmentation of customer requests, matching the evolution of consumer tastes. Markets are demanding greater variety—not only in the products but also in pack formats, materials and configurations. Each geographic area has its own preferences: in Asia, compact and highly functional solutions are often favoured, whereas in North America there is more openness to multipack formats or packs with higher added value. Secondary packaging thus becomes a strategic lever for conveying brand identity while providing the flexibility required to meet these different needs.”
How has Cama addressed this demand for variety and innovation in its systems?
“Continuous innovation is part of our DNA. Cama Group lines are engineered to be modular, flexible and easy to reconfigure. That approach lets us deliver highly customised yet readily scalable solutions. For the confectionery and snack sector, for instance, we have developed machines capable of handling a wide array of formats—from single‑portion packs to complex multipacks—while maintaining high efficiency and minimising change‑over times. The goal is to give customers a truly flexible machine so they can keep pace with market evolution.”
How important are sustainability and alternative materials in secondary packaging today?
“They have become crucial. Brands increasingly ask us for solutions compatible with sustainable materials such as recyclable board or compostable options. Although cartonboard has always been central to our mechanised platforms, we have invested heavily in adapting our technology to these new materials and in replacing plastic packs with board‑based alternatives. Regulatory pressure is also pushing for plastic reduction and eco‑friendly options. We support that transition with machinery that maintains top performance even when running more delicate or innovative packaging materials.”
Flexibility, modularity and artificial intelligence: how secondary packaging is evolving
The augmented reality in packaging. (video: Cama)
During our discussion with Cristian Sala it became clear that modern secondary‑packaging lines must cope with an ever‑wider mix of formats and keep pace with continuously changing production schedules. Flexibility, he stresses, is now indispensable:
“Our customers need lines that can run one format today and another tomorrow, with fast machine re‑settings. That means designing systems able to change configuration quickly—sometimes even autonomously—thanks to Cama’s automatic format‑change solution.”
A tangible example is the packaging Cama Group modular architecture, which lets machines be combined according to the available footprint, the required throughput and the factory layout. Sala explains:
“Modularity is strategic not only for technical reasons but also for economic ones: reducing footprint, adapting the line to a customer’s existing space and enabling step‑by‑step growth optimise investment. We design bespoke systems, always following a scalable logic.”
The evolution of automation in packaging: from project phase to line maintenance
On many projects, Cama Group delivers complete, integrated lines that cover the entire flow—from primary packaging through secondary packaging for confectionery to end‑of‑line—ensuring maximum efficiency and compatibility between stages. he real game‑changer now is advanced automation and artificial intelligence. Sala outlines several concrete gains:
AI‑driven design validation:
“With AI we can check, as early as the design phase, the compatibility between packaging materials, system components and the product itself, preventing issues that might otherwise surface only during production.”
Predictive maintenance:
“Cama systems incorporate smart monitoring that triggers spare‑part alerts before a stoppage occurs, boosting uptime”.
Digital Twin simulation:
“A virtual replica of each machine lets engineers test every configuration before hardware is built, accelerating time‑to‑market and mitigating risk. Digital simulation lets us pre‑validate performance and train operators in virtual environments, so productivity is high from day one.”
Thanks to these innovations, secondary packaging is becoming not only more efficient but also smarter—anticipating customer needs and delivering tailor‑made solutions for every geography.
Total control, in‑house testing and guaranteed performance: the value of a full FAT
Beyond advanced design and the integration of AI and Digital Twin technology, Cama Group now relies on a strategic asset of the highest value: a brand‑new, large‑scale production space conceived precisely to manage the growing complexity of modern lines.
“We have created a fully equipped area that lets us assemble the entire packaging line— from primary through secondary packaging right up to end‑of‑line—directly on our premises. This space enables us to carry out complete, realistic FATs (Factory Acceptance Tests) in‑house, putting every function through its paces before shipment,” notes Cristian Sala.
For customers, especially on complex, integrated projects, this represents a decisive competitive advantage: “Clients can verify on site that everything works as expected: logistics flows, module interaction, pack quality, software management and operator interface. When the line arrives at the final production site, it is ready to go, with shorter start‑up times and guaranteed reliability.”
The new facility also accelerates validation and reduces operational risk for the client.
“The Cama Group approach,” Sala adds, “increasingly revolves around technological partnership: we take charge of the entire process—from design to commissioning and after‑sales support. It is not just about selling a machine; it is about delivering a complete system that resolves every customer need. To achieve that you need space, expertise, technology and, above all, an integrated vision of packaging.”
Integrated sustainability: less waste, lower energy use and a reduced footprint
Machine assistance: from the automatic changeover to the maintenance and the monitoring in real time. (video: Cama)
Sustainability sits at the centre of Cama’s development roadmap, combining production efficiency, environmental stewardship and compliance with ever‑stricter regulations. This commitment translates into targeted technological choices.
Material efficiency and waste reduction
“Cama Group solutions are engineered to optimise the use of packaging materials, minimising scrap during format changes or production cycles. We are also responding to the rising demand for replacing plastic with board‑based or fully recyclable alternatives—even in secondary packaging for confectionery. Together with our customers we design lighter, more compact, eco‑friendly packs that still protect the product and uphold premium shelf appeal,” says Sala.
Energy‑saving machine design
Sustainability is not only about materials. Cama lines consume less energy thanks to low‑draw components and optimised mechanical motion. “A key design decision was integrating electrical cabinets directly on‑board each machine. This reduces installation time and complexity at the customer site, rationalises cabling and simplifies the electrical layout, with clear benefits for efficiency, maintenance and space.”
Compact, low‑footprint architecture
“Smaller lines mean less energy for climate control and internal logistics, easier integration in existing plants and lower operating costs—all reinforcing the company’s sustainable model.
“Being sustainable today is not optional; it is non‑negotiable. We have believed in this for years and continue to innovate in that direction, offering our customers solutions ready for tomorrow’s challenges.”
Cama will be at the Ipack Ima fair (Milan, Italy, from 27th to 30th May 2025): Hall 5, booth A17-B18.
