Ipack-Ima PEOPLE, an overview on technologies

Overview of the technologies that will be enlivening the upcoming edition of IPACK-IMA and Pharmintech. Innovation – in terms of progress on sustainability and digitalisation – is reliant on consistent research into new materials, machines and components that can work together intelligently to raise the bar with regard to productivity. This is the main conclusion that transpires from what we heard straight from the mouths of exhibitors, a summary of which is offered here.

Edited by ItaliaImballagglio in cooperation with Ipack-Ima

ERCOPAC

Manuel Grassi

Chief Commercial Officer & founder

Pav. 6, stand G01 - H02

With 20 years of experience in the automation and packaging industry and located in Scandiano, Reggio Emilia, at the heart of Emilia's 'Packaging Valley', Ercopac leverages flexibility, innovation, and sustainability to drive its business growth. “Although our brand is now consolidated, we are constantly working to increase its recognition through participation in international fairs such as Ipack-Ima. In terms of solutions, one new development is particularly interesting: the integration of delta robots into our palletising systems, specifically for layer preparation, enables us to handle loads of up to 50 kg with exceptional performance and efficiency. At Ipack-Ima we will also be presenting the new patents with which we aim to improve the efficiency of our customers' lines, not only at the end of the line but also upstream of the production process. These centre on ensuring real-time monitoring of the wrapped pallet's stability, addressing both financial and environmental considerations. With a view to reducing consumption and materials, we have developed solutions that optimise the distribution of the film on the product and reduce the number of wrapping turns, with an immediate 20-30% savings in side film compared to competitors. Ipack Ima will also serve as an opportunity to showcase the evolution of our intralogistics solutions, a sector we are targeting with a range of new products being unveiled.”

ETIPACK

Marco Parretti

CEO

Pav. 4, stand A39 - B40

Etipack designs, manufactures and sells hi-tech labelling and coding systems, Friction Feeder and Pick & Place designed to meet the needs of customers in the most advanced market segments (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, chemicals and paper products). Since 2019 it has been part of the PID-Possehl Identification Solutions division of the German group Possehl. “We are constantly in search of new technologies and products capable of fitting in with the group’s synergic vision and are developing cross-selling projects together with the other companies in the PID-Possehl Identification Solutions division. Over the next few months we will be introducing a new range of Print & Apply systems for use on various types of packaging which will integrate with the Print Engine Modules in the product ranges of the other companies in our division, particularly Novexx. As part of our commitment to innovation, we are continuing to concentrate on Industry 4.0 and above all on HMI (Human Machine Interface) solutions. A stronger focus on graphics and usability means that our systems are more user-friendly and our labelling heads are easily able to connect and dialogue with the overall production system. Another aspect we are concentrating on is the development of electric applicators. This is a development area we will continue to explore and may be one of the innovations we launch at IPACK-IMA 2025. Last but not least Pharma Flexi, the technology we presented at the last edition of IPACK-IMA, a flagship product which we are continuing to roll out across the European and international markets. This innovative and versatile machine is capable of labelling vials, bottles, carpules and syringes with throughput rates of up to 400 pieces per minute.

LAMINATI CAVANNA

Anna Paola Cavanna

Chairman

Pav. 5, stand B58

Since 1969 we have been laminating and coating film for flexible packaging for food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, technical, electrical and industrial sectors. “Given the success of the 2022 show, expectations for Ipack-Ima this year are high. Ipack-Ima is the ideal event for networking. I would like to make Stand 2025 a space for conferences and debates on the issues that are important to us, perhaps working in association with the show organisers. Since we do not produce machinery and are not directly on the market with our products, I would like our stand to become a place to meet up with visitors, almost as if they were coming to our home, to exchange ideas and opinions, and discuss needs. Ipack-Ima is certainly a key event for our segment, especially now that everyone is aware of how important it is to meet up and discuss ideas, and this fair is the perfect opportunity for this. Our company is growing along the lines established by the founder, my father, but it is also innovating in synch with market dynamics to provide fast and effective responses.”

QWARZO

Emiliano Caradonna

CEO

Pav. 5, stand C68

Qwarzo is an innovative SME with headquarters in the Brescia area. Its technology harnesses 20 years of knowledge and research in the field of inorganic chemistry, in particular its flagship product today is Qwarzo® coating, a patented invisible mineral-based coating. The silica-based technology, can be used to replace plastic and plastic films on paper, fabric, metal and other substrates, giving the material to which it is applied new functional characteristics, new identity and high performance. With Qwarzo® solutions, companies can respond to new demands for circularity, aligning themselves with a trend that embraces recycling and requires all manufacturers to innovate in the direction of single-materials and sustainability. In order to understand the packaging market in the best possible way, Qwarzo promotes a constant dialogue with all the players in the packaging ecosystem, as demonstrated by its participation in trade fairs such as Ipack-Ima, the ideal place for networking”.

SABA AUTOMATION

Alessandro Pollini

Chief Commercial Officer

Pav. 6, stand D37 - E38

Founded in Modena's ceramic district in 2005, Saba Automation S.r.l. soon expanded its horizons to include all the main target markets, from food to chemicals, to paper and tissue, turning its attention to the consumer world in general. The company has long been exporting full bespoke lines worldwide, all of which are designed internally, working closely with the customer, and offer a great plus, namely a proprietary software designed and built for end-of-line solutions. “At Ipack-Ima we will be showcasing our systems linked to industry 4.0/5.0, an area in which we have accrued over ten years of experience in machine integration and interfacing with the most recent ERP systems. One of our distinctive signs is the incorporation of in-line robotics. We’ve built projects as a system integrator first for Comau and now for KUKA, with official dealer status, using anthropomorphic robots.” “Saba Automation's most distinctive offering is customisation and tailor-made systems, where we move beyond standardised systems to focus on the unique needs of the customer. At the fair, a large video wall will display our most successful case histories, alongside demos of the software featured in our lines and our full automated work stations and those featuring 3-axis robots, setting us apart in the competitive landscape”.

XNEXT

Bruno Garavelli - CEO & founder

Pav. 7, stand C59

XNEXT produces X-ray vision systems compliant with non-destructive inspection systems for the food, pharmaceutical, and recycling industries and testing techniques commonly applied in the aerospace industry. Developed from an original idea, XNEXT now supplies XSpectra®, a solution that is unique worldwide and is currently installed in 50 locations in Europe, more specifically in France, Slovakia, and Italy, with market developments expected in the United States. “We have created with XSpectra® the most advanced inspection solution in the world for detection of foreign matter deep inside a product. The quality of our technology is clear in terms of performance in all areas of food processing such as dairy, stuffed pasta, processed meat, ready-made sauces, and spreads but also in packaging, such as cans, bags for biscuits or lettuce, and bottles. The machine comprises a multi-energy x-ray detector providing up to 1024 energy levels and software based entirely on artificial intelligence that exploits all the machine's characteristics when processing the result of the x-ray photon counting. The next markets that XNEXT will be targeting will undoubtedly include the pharmaceuticals industry, where we are working on a technical development that will allow detection of smaller quantities than in the food industry."

LUGAIA

Michael Schweizer

Chief Commercial Officer

Pav. 2, stand A54

Lugaia offers a wide range of customized single-use containment solutions for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life science industries where are required the highest levels of precision, safety, and innovation. “One notable trend in the pharmaceutical industry is the development of increasingly potent active ingredients. This advancement necessitates higher containment levels to ensure safety and prevent contamination. Whether it’s flexible packaging, complex isolator systems, or innovative transfer solutions, Lugaia’s products are engineered to provide optimal protection for both products and personnel. The use of Lugaia's continuous liner systems have proven to be one of the most effective means for protecting staff and products. To ensure effective sealing and separation, the continuous liner utilizes Lugaia's patented SafeSeal Closure System. At Pharmintech we will present our last innovation: the new high containment single-use charge bag that aims to improve the handling of hazardous materials, offering a faster, easier and safer solution for the industry”.

MG2

Sergio Cicognani

Chief Innovation Officer

Pav. 2, stand B60

MG2, which has been based in Pianoro since the 1960s, has long been renowned as a leading manufacturer of encapsulation machines and a pioneer in pharmaceutical packaging. “We see Pharmintech as a platform for dialogue with the market and an opportunity to showcase our range to the international audience. We therefore expect great things in terms of the potential for networking it has always shown. That is why we will be offering an absolute preview for Italy in Milan this year unveiling the two encapsulation machines from our new E series, Essentia and Electa, which feature a production capacity of 200,000 capsules/hour. In recent times, we have experienced growing interest in encapsulation, which has broadened market horizons for us. That is why in 2025 we will be expanding our range of metering units, which can be progressively retrofitted into existing machines according to evolving production needs thanks to the modularity of our designs. Changeovers from units for powder to units for liquids, tablets, and micro-tablets will be quick and easy.Further development is also planned for the E series, with a new model due to be introduced during the year to enhance the range.”

OMAG

Giovanni Nocita

Head of Sales and Marketing

Pav. 2, stand B59  Pav. 5, stand B44

Since 1973 Omag designs and manufactures packaging machines and complete packaging lines for various goods sectors (pharma generates 60% of the turnover) with three production plants. The continuous investments in research and development have led OMAG to achieve a leading position in the Italian and international markets. “As in the previous edition, we will be exhibiting at both Pharmintech and Ipack Ima. At Pharmintech, our stand will feature both stick pack technology, the vertical four-seal pouch machine, and the intermittent plate sealing machines. Both solutions can be equipped with any type of metering system, for powders, granules, liquids, pastes, or individual items. Greater configuration flexibility is also offered, with special metered dispenses for pharmaceutical ingredients. As for the new line dedicated to secondary packaging, we plan to showcase an end-of-line solution for either top-loading or pre-glued packs. With over 150 employees, Omag builds the majority of the components in its own facilities. The company also has an extensive test area, a laboratory equipped with pilot machines available at all times, an engineering department and an automation department.

SEA VISION

Maria Grazia Preda

Marketing Director

Pav. 2, stand B18

With over 30 years of experience developing technology for the pharmaceuticals market, SEA Vision is a long-standing partner to the market that provides solutions for industrial vision, traceability systems and automation processes. “At Pharmintech we will be presenting significant innovations that combine sustainability and digitalisation, focussing specially on our AI powered solution for automated line clearance, "a-eye clearance", the revolutionary new technology that uses artificial intelligence to increase efficiency and safety during line clearance process. The aim of this innovation is to ensure machines are perfectly clean and that there are no residues from previous batches, to minimise the risk of errors and improve overall production quality. We will also launch our new Harleblister Neurale, an innovative version of the first inspection system for solids in blister packs that SEA Vision presented on the market exactly 30 years ago. The system has now been enhanced through the introduction of AI algorithms to improve inspection performance. Currently we are focusing on three main areas - track and trace, RFID and centralised palletisation – with pioneering project that will drive to a radically innovation in the production processes of the sector”.

TAIM 

Domenico Melchiorre

Managing Director

Pav. 2, stand B35

Taim is a family business specialising in processing plants for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food markets. In over 35 years of activity, Taim has developed expertise in design and manufacture of machinery for the pharmaceutical industry ranging from powder formulation and synthesis to granulation, coating, liquid and sterile dose production and turnkey solutions to equip entire plants. The goal is to exhibit our vast technological expertise through an innovative project that introduces novelties on products that are already well established in the market. Our short and medium term vision is definitely aimed at responding to increasingly high-tech requests which require continuous research capable of anticipating future standards. Prominent among the drivers of innovation are digitalisation, for which Taim has equipped itself with a business sector dedicated entirely to hardware and software engineering, to respond -in particular- to the need for the integration of automatic machines into MES systems.

VEGA ITALIA

Daniele Romano

Chief Commercial Officer

Pav. 2, stand B107

As a world leader that has been operating in level and pressure measurement instruments for over 60 years, VEGA employs over 2,600 people worldwide. VEGA’s portfolio includes, among other things, level sensors and pressure sensors for chemical and pharmaceutical plants, the food industry as well as drinking water supply systems, metal extraction, sewage treatment plants and power generation stations. “The future of instrumentation lies not only in the inclusion of high-precision reliable sensors but also in interconnection. VEGA has been offering digitalisation-ready solutions for some time now; all sensors feature Bluetooth technology for calibration and diagnostics as standard. One key aspect of increasing digitalisation is ensuring effective protection against cyber-attacks. To tackle this issue, we have adopted the latest cyber security standard, IEC 62443-4-2. Specifically, our VEGAPULS 6X radar sensor meets the highest cyber security standards currently available for the process industries”.