Packaging machine extends shelf life of soup

The BencoPack aseptic form-fill-seal machine has been used to extend the shelf life of packaged soup for Korean food company, Pulmuone.

Benco Pack SpA of Italy was chosen by Pulmuone to supply an aseptic form-fill-seal machine for its range of microwaveable thermoformed soup cups (ready meals) that will contain soups with meat and vegetables.

Benco Pack custom designed a solution for the unique requirements of Pulmuone which culminated in a fully aseptic packaging line that is highly automated and offers increased efficiency, ease of operation and reduced packaging costs.

The horizontal aseptic machine uses a three-step packaging and filling process. Containers are thermoformed starting from a roll of multilayer barrier plastic film (PS/EVO/PE or similar), filled with the soup product, closed by a thermo-sealed peelable lid and then cut to the desired configuration. The machine produces 6000 polypropylene 250/500 g soup cups/hour.

The machine is pre-sterilised and maintained in sterile conditions by steam and hydrogen-peroxide sprays. The packaging materials are sterilised and the process occurs inside a tunnel with an overpressure of sterile air.

Due to the aseptic packaging technology, the cups do not need to be distributed via a cold chain. The technology has now extended the shelf life of the soup products to 60 days, while stored and distributed at an ambient temperature.

Benco Pack has form-fill-seal systems for mini portions, single and thermoformed cups, in hygienic, ultra-clean and aseptic versions.