Propak Africa, Print Expo, Pro-Plas Expo, Pro-Label Africa and FoodPro Engineering News 19 February 2013 1,714 words – to use in full, or part thereof, as you require FINAL Packaging, food processing, printing, plastics, and labelling on show Thousands of local and international visitors are expected to attend Propak Africa to view the latest the industry has to offer in new equipment, machinery, products and services. Propak Africa, together with co-located shows FoodPro, Pro-Plas Africa, Print Expo and Pro-Label Africa, is taking place at the Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg, from 12-15 March. “Propak Africa and co-located shows together make up the largest and most successful packaging, food processing, plastics, printing and labelling exhibition on the African continent,” says Gary Corin, Managing Director at Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, organisers of the show. “Over 525 exhibitors across Halls 5, 6 and 7 will be using the exhibition as a platform to introduce the latest machinery, equipment, products and services,” says Corin. “Visitors will be able to interact with the most progressive local and international companies across these sectors of industry.” This year’s international representation has increased substantially over the previous show in 2009, demonstrating the confidence the international market has in South Africa. In addition to the Turkey, French, Italian and Taiwan Pavilions, exhibitors are from the UK, USA, India, China, Argentina, Mexico, Korea, Australia, Spain, Belgium, German, Switzerland and individual companies from Turkey, France Italy and Taiwan. “With the wide range of products on show and many live demonstrations, dynamic displays and technical experts on hand for questions, visitors will have the opportunity to source suppliers, collect ideas and obtain solutions, as well as find out about available business ventures,” says Corin. As the premier packaging exhibition in Southern Africa, Propak Africa is showcasing a wide spectrum of exhibits. Mpact has launched a new packaging solution for meat and poultry retail which will be on display at Propak Africa. The food industry can look forward to a healthier, more efficient way in which raw meat and poultry is packaged. Mpact’s new Ultrazorb foam tray draws more than double the amount of excess liquid away from packaged meat and poultry products. Most importantly, the new formulation of the tray, which is produced by Mpact’s Versapak operation in Paarl, improves the appearance of products as well as reduces the spillage associated with excess blood. “We are always focused on developing innovative products for our customers, thereby also contributing to a better shopping experience for consumers,” says JD Burnett, head of Mpact Versapak. “Current absorption methods where liquids such as excess blood are drained through absorption pads on trays are less effective.” The new Ultrazorb tray has been formulated with a special additive which enhances the absorption capability of the product and this, together with some processing changes that were implemented, has contributed to effectively removing excess liquids from the surface. Accompanying these benefits, the foam weighs less than conventional sheeting, which also reduces transport costs. “Our ultimate goal is to produce the best possible packaging that improves the product it contains, and the consumer experience as a result,” continues Burnett. “We are certain that the Ultrazorb packaging is an attractive solution for all parties – and we are proud of that.” OaktreeSA, owned by Idan Meir, is making its Propak début, demonstrating its ground breaking Bake-In Tray ovenable food packaging designs. Relatively new to the South African market, the concept is already tried and tested in many European countries. Bake-In Tray is making quite an impression by challenging the norms in retail food packaging. The product is manufactured locally and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback since its launch last year. It is now in full production, offering five generic tray sizes printed in various designs, as well as offering customer branding on the trays. Bake-In Tray ultimately eliminates the expense of excessive food packaging. Its versatility ranges from baking in, up to 220c, to microwave and freezer use, up to -40C, cold and hot desserts, pastas and more. Besides the existing Bake-In Tray designs, OaktreeSA will be launching a range of ovenable take-away containers at this year’s show. ‘Bake-In Tray’s exceptional aesthetic and functional qualities, combined with consistent performance, make it the benchmark for ovenable packaging applications. Automation is the key theme of the Ishida stand. At Propak Africa, Ishida will demonstrate two distinct solutions that help to automate food production and packing lines, showcasing some of its latest innovations in multihead weighers, checkweighers and associated equipment. The new Ishida CCW-SE-214 is from Ishida’s range of entry-level multihead weighers, ideal for dry food applications such as snacks, confectionery, biscuits and pasta, with a top speed of up to 90 packs per minute for the 14 head model. The weigher offers excellent accuracy and reliability along with simple set-up and operation via the intuitive, simple-operation remote control unit. Easy to remove and interchangeable hoppers minimise downtime for cleaning. A choice of contact parts is available according to product requirements and the machine can be further tailored via a number of options such as inlet chute, timing hoppers and count priority software. The iTPS™ - Ishida Total Packaging System – is the world’s fastest and most accurate complete snack food packing system, with all the major elements coming from one supplier. Shown with Ishida’s advanced Atlas high speed, high-efficiency snack food bagmaker, Ishida multihead weigher and DACS-W checkweigher and available with throat metal detector, printer and seal tester, the fully integrated system delivers near-zero product giveaway at speeds of up to 250 bpm, excellent handling properties (thanks to its twin rotary jaw system), and variable seal time and seal pressure, all of which contribute to maximum packing line efficiency, minimum waste and highest pack quality. The iTPS’s compact design also delivers optimum return on factory space. Go Go Packaging is recognised as an all-round packaging manufacturer and distributor, and manufactures a wide range of packaging material locally. On show at their stand at Propak Africa will be the latest addition to the family - Winbond Protective Bags - which are envelopes with the added protection of bubble wrap. Integrated Packaging Systems (IPS) is the exclusive representative of LoeschPack, who offers a product range that includes packaging machines for the food and non-food sectors, particularly specialising in the packaging of chewing gum, chocolates and dry baked goods. On show at Propak is the fourth generation of its redesigned LTM-DUO fold wrapping machine for chocolate tablets. “We’ve made several improvements to our bestseller, including optimizing the LTM-DUO for the use of biopolymer packaging film,” says LoeschPack CEO Andreas Graf. This level of innovation is the company’s latest step forward in its intensive efforts towards sustainability. “We are seeing increased interest in two-station machines that can process organic film,” says Graf. The two-stage, high performance LTM-DUO fold wrapping machine is not only setting new standards with its compact and hygienic design, ergonomics and flexibility, but is also optimised for the use of biopolymer film.” IPS is also the exclusive representative of the Cavanna Packaging Group, a company based in Italy manufacturing integrated flowpack packaging systems with its main activities oriented to food industry (90%), including fresh products, and the remaining part referring to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sector. Marshall Hinds will be displaying the full range of Tyvek sustainable packaging solutions at Propak. With superior strength-to weight ratio, this packaging has several advantages such as being light weight, less energy to produce, less CO2 emissions through transportation, and less waste. It has no detrimental chemicals, no Bisphenol-A (BPA), no heavy metals, and no phthalates/plasticisers. It comes in both hard (rigid) and soft (drapable) grades resulting in endless packaging and covering solutions and provides an excellent media for packaging labels, particularly where there is a need for wet and dry strength combined with durability and printability. The breathability and vapour permeability of the heat sealable grades of Tyvek allow for optimal absorption and non-contamination of foods and pharmaceuticals. As a result of its UV resistance, water resistance and vapour permeability, it is also suitable for outdoor covers and can be made to fit machines, vehicles and farming equipment. Pyrotec, a South African company that specialises in providing on-pack product identification solutions - including self-adhesive labels systems and coding and labelling equipment - is excited to be showing off its brand new Sirius Lite Labelling system at Propak Africa. The system boasts a Modularised Transmission System which allows for complete synchronisation across all driven modules, as well as an enhanced control system for increased labelling accuracy. Pyrotec’s PackMark brand will also be showcasing other innovations in coding and labelling equipment. Also on display is Pyrotec PackMedia’s popular Do-It range of Display Strips