GEA
GEA showcased its PowerPak Speed thermoforming machine, which features ultrasonic sealing. Launched at IFFA last year, Birgit Christmann told GlobalMeatNews the high speed slicing and packaging line was capable of 22 cycles of 12 packs per minute. The machine features in a fully automated line, together with the two-drive GEA DualSlicer, the GEA ShingleLoader and the GEA PowerPick at the outfeed. The machine is suited to shallow bowl forms, to make it exceptionally fast with flat MAP tray or vacuum pack applications for shingled sliced products in self-service packages and hot dogs in single- or double layers, according to the firm. The firm was also demonstrating its newly developed four-lane high-speed interleaver for its high performance GigaSlicer, which it said is distinguished by extremely short interleaver film roll changing times. The slicer also has a large cutting cross-section of 640 x 210mm.