ACMA has been active for almost a hundred years, has always been at the top in terms of technological innovation and strategies for approaching the market. (video: ACMA)
ACMA will take part in the Chicago show as part of Coesia, a group specializing in innovative industrial and packaging solutions. On this occasion, Coesia will present machines and products designed to increase the reliability and efficiency of production processes in three areas dedicated to Food & Beverage, Pharma & Personal Care, Cross Industry Automation. Coesia will also launch the Re-commerce project, proposing itself as a solid interlocutor for those companies looking for automatic solutions for the management of orders from online channels.
Sustainability and technology: one hundred years of experience serving the North American market
Few companies can boast an array of machines installed in the world as broad as that of ACMA. The Italian company, which has been active for almost a hundred years, has always been at the top in terms of technological innovation and strategies for approaching the market. ACMA considers the North America area to be key as the Confectionery sector, one of the company’s core businesses, is particularly developed. It is a thriving market with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% in the 2020-2025 period, a year in which it is expected to reach $ 1.944 billion in value(*).
For this reason, over the years, new solutions have been developed that can cover the needs of the sector at 360° from low to high speed in various technologies, from fold wrapping to flowpacking, from tray & sleeve packing to cartoning & box filling. Features common to all the machines engineered by the Bolognese company are great flexibility, a high level of automation and extreme ease of use.
CW 800 and OptiMate: advanced and easy-to-use technology
In Chicago, the CW 800, a machine for the wrapping of spherical chocolate pralines, will be shown in the version dedicated to the double twist style. A particular feature of the machine on display at Pack Expo will be OptiMate, a Coesia proprietary PLC solution (both software and hardware). OptiMate makes it easier to change format and maintain the machine, thanks to the intuitive interface and guided procedures. The version on show in Chicago will be set up in premium mode and will be featuring further advanced characteristics compared to the standard version, including the ability to perform a production analysis through detailed reporting and advanced diagnostics for predictive maintenance.
In practice, OptiMate is a fundamental asset not only for controlling the machine in a simple and intuitive way, knowing every detail during operation, but also for optimizing production and, consequently, the consumption of material and energy.
The Sustainability Lab: how to be green in a concrete way
For years, one of the areas in which ACMA concentrated its efforts has been the search for sustainable solutions. All this has led to tangible results, including the creation of the Sustainability Lab, a laboratory where it is possible to test the behavior and machinability of new sustainable materials, attracting the interest of material producers and industry players. This is possible for both flowpacking and twist wrapping technologies. The goal of the Sustainability Lab is to understand the structural limits of the different materials and to ensure the best possible performance during operation in the machine, sustainability and technology. At the same time, the focus is on maintaining excellent wrapping quality and production speed, real distinctive features of ACMA machinery.
Studies carried out within the Sustainability Lab led to the inauguration of the Material Gate in early 2021, a patented system for carrying out tests on twisted wrapping materials, including the double staple for CW 800. This unit is an effective way to quickly evaluate the performance of a new material without the need to purchase a new machine or replace an existing one, effectively supporting the market in the transition to new sustainable materials.
Green packages: the ACMA family of sustainable products designed for Confectionery (and more)
In the Confectionery field, on the one hand packs must be easy to open and close while ensuring a long shelf life and adequate strength. On the other hand, they must convey the brand image, typically in the flashy and colorful style of the sector. ACMA’s response to these needs are various paper-based solutions, present at the fair within the Coesia Shelf.
Ecoshell is a family of award-winning packs, characterized by an innovative design that allows, through an aesthetically refined solution, to enjoy an optimal dosage of the product and a great ease of use. Ecoshell is scalable in size and proportions and is suitable for different commercial purposes, depending on the type of product to be packaged. For example, it can be used for gummy candies and chewing gums, but also for cotton buds or supplements, extending their use to areas such as cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.
An interesting variant is the series of Zip top, Flip top and Slide pop, packages that have front opening systems or front or side product dispensing systems.
Finally, it will be possible to view the Tamper evident carton boxes designed with the three main characteristics typical of plastic boxes: resistance to leaks, accidental opening and, optionally, with child safety lock.
The new technologies developed by ACMA for the forming and filling of the packages, therefore, make it possible to obtain shapes that are not commonly feasible with efficiency and sustainability, guaranteeing great flexibility in terms of customization in terms of dimensions and shapes.
ACMA will be present at Pack Expo Chicago, from 23 to 26 October 2022 within the Coesia stand 2501 (South Hall).
(*) Source: Market Study Report.
