Two developments of Bosch Packaging Technology have recently received prestigious packaging awards. The sensor-controlled product detection and adaptivity of the vertical form, fill and seal machine SVC 1820 BH has been honoured with the German Packaging Award 2017, and the first vertical form, fill and seal machine (VFFS) for producing dust-tight sealed paper packaging has won the Green Star Packaging Award 2017 the section „Save Food“.

The concept machine SVC 1820 BH convinced the jury with sensors inside the forming tube. The machine is designed to package food. The patented sensor-controlled product detection of the SVC 1820 BH is one of Bosch’s Industry 4.0 features, allowing to detect the product while it is falling and adjusting the sealing process automatically. Usually, if product is caught in between the sealing jaws, the machine stops and depending on product cleaning might be required, causing machine downtime. With sensor-controlled product detection, the sealing jaws only close when there is no product in between, resulting in an increased OEE. Moreover, it also reduces the risk of contamination, thereby complying with the ever-demanding food safety regulations. Additionally, the adaptivity of the machine contributes to a sustainable production by reducing waste of product, film and energy.

The also award-winning sealed paper packaging solution is a combination of mono-material Axello paper from BillerudKorsnäs and the ZAP-Module from Bosch. It enables the production of 100 percent dust-tight yet fully recyclable packaging for dry products such as sugar, grains and flour. The module allows coating with the sealing agent on a minimal surface area, enabling heat sealing while preserving the paper’s mono-material character. The solution is available on vertical form, fill and seal as well as mandrel wheel machines, providing an attractive alternative to traditional paper bags in this segment.