Heilbronn and Düsseldorf, May 5, 2017 – At his year's Interpack, Düsseldorf, May 4 – 10, ILLIG; the systems provider for thermoforming solutions, will be presenting for the first time its new „Pactivity“ business sector for packaging development. Pactivity is a combination of Packaging and Activity. The machine manufacturer will demonstrate its expertise in this sector with latest packaging systems. At the stand the Heilbronn experts will demonstrate the great versatility of In-Mold Labeling in thermoforming (IML-T) in combination with clean and hygienic filling and packing of food. From the initial product ideas through to realization of the corresponding mold and production system, numerous requirements must be met. ILLIG shows the great potential of thermoforming to the customers and offers development services for thermoformed packs. Everything from one source.
From the packaging idea to the pack and to the production system
For many decades ILLIG has been engaged in packaging development and the support of customers for successful market launch of packs. In principle, each project is an individual project, whether confidential or not, since every pack is unique. From the customer’s initial idea through to an excellent pack which meets all recent requirements. There are numerous development stages in between and many technical questions that have to be answered. There is, for example, a great variety of packs for fresh fruit and vegetables. Packs have to ensure visibility of their contents while also protecting it from outside influences, and they have to be suitable for transport and logistics processes. The ILLIG packaging experts develop different variants for ventilation (hole punching or closure knobs with spacing for hinged trays) and closures (hinged lids, separate lids, without lid). Product, packaging material, volume and feasibility, all those have to be analyzed. Design variants, mold design as well as line concept have to be determined, since thermoforming offers different methods of pack production. Which thermoforming method will be employed depends to a large extent on the properties of the pack. Design, material and output are essential elements. Once the initial criteria have been successfully determined in the packaging development stage, an extensive testing phase follows that begins with the production of samples. This is followed by a number of required product tests and finally ends with the customer approval. Subsequently, the realization of the production system can be started. ILLIG can meet these requirements thanks to its expertise in mold making and machine manufacturing and its knowledge of the markets – worldwide.
Thermoformed liquid-tight container with lid
A current example is the development of a thermoformed „take away container“ which can be tightly closed for the Asian market. In Asia, hot soups and meals are filled in containers to go by restaurants and mobile snack booths. Previously, such a cost-effective and safe transport solution did not exist. The liquid-tight container with lid is manufactured on an automatic pressure forming machine, type IC-RDK 80, with a 12-up container mold out of transparent PP. The ILLIG packaging specialists designed and realized all stages of the pack development from the initial idea, the material selection, through to the mold production. This also included own application tests with respect to tightness and stackability (top load).
ILLIG is a leading global supplier of high-performance thermoforming machines and molds, as well as solutions for the packaging industry. The company's product and services portfolio includes the development, design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of complex production lines and components. With branches and sales agencies in over 80 countries, ILLIG is locally present in all markets around the globe. For nearly 70 years, the owner-operated enterprise has been serving its customers across the globe as a reliable partner for the cost-effective manufacturing of complex precision thermoplastic parts with innovative technology of unsurpassed quality and comprehensive worldwide after-sales support.
