COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE

Century-wise SYNTEGON

SYNTEGON TECHNOLOGY IS EXPANDING ITS PORTFOLIO WITH A NEW INNOVATIVE COFFEE PACKAGING MACHINE THAT MEETS MANUFACTURER’S FLEXIBILITY NEEDS FOR DIFFERENT PRODUCTS AND FORMATS, AND SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS THANKS TO SYNTEGON’S CENTURY OF PACKAGING EXPERTISE

German coffee packaging technology supplier Syntegon Technology has been providing reliable solutions and innovative ideas to customers around the world for more than 100 years.

Now, Product Manager Christina Holm says the company’s latest packaging innovation, the PMX packaging machine, will provide a truly flexible coffee packaging solution to its customer base.

“The PMX maximises the production time of the packaging line and gives customers the flexibility to adapt easily to changing production specifications and market requirements,” says Holm.

“Coffee is a popular product with quality that must be protected. Our goal was to develop an efficient packaging machine that offers manufacturers enough flexibility for future demand and format changes as well as meeting sustainability requirements.”

To cater for the growing demand for adaptable and sustainable packaging solutions, Holm says Syntegon’s PMX offers a wide range of specialised features designed to process recyclable packaging materials, such as monomaterial barrier films or recyclable inside and outside degassing valves.

“The PMX is composed of individual modules which make dosing and closing stations as well as the machine design individually configurable,” she says.

“Thanks to the modular structure, specific customer requirements can be realised while also achieving efficient output, as the PMX packs up to 65 packages of 500 grams of whole coffee beans per minute.”

To reach an output of up to 100 packages per minute, the machine is available as a double tube version.

Holm says the PMX machine’s flexibility provides The PMX is composed of individual modules which make dosing and a crucial advantage for coffee manufacturers. closing stations as well as the machine design individually configurable.

“Three-dimensional format changes on the closing unit can be achieved automatically at the push of a button. If the bag cross-section adhesive tape. format is changed, the machine will be ready for use again after just 30 minutes. It is therefore “If required, manufacturers can request an suitable for small, medium, and large packaging formats, and can combine various bag formats innovative spout closure through which the and closing elements,” she says. coffee beans are emptied out at the packaging

The PMX can produce coffee bags with package weights between 200 and 1200 grams, side,” says Holm, noting the convenient both with upright and downfolded top parts. The bags are re-closable via tin tie, labels, or feature is suited to end users.

The PMX is suitable for small, medium and large packaging formats. Different bag variants and closure elements can be combined.

Additionally, the neutrafill process, in which the coffee is gas-flushed before and during the packaging process, ensures aroma protection.

The PMX platform also offers two sealing options, full-corner and longitudinal sealing, to create optimal product presentation.

“The full-corner sealing module can be retrofitted to existing PMX machines at any time, to adapt them flexibly in case of design or format changes,” says Holm.

By avoiding seams on the back of the packaging, the full-corner sealing allows manufacturers to print attractive designs all around the packaging.

“This type of sealing not only makes the packaging look attractive on the shelf, but also pays off in terms of sustainability. By positioning the full-corner-sealing module in the front area of the forming tube, the packaging materials can be retracted within just a few cycles, which reduces the loss of material significantly,” Holm says.

“This also maximises the productive time of a packaging line. Thanks to fast format changes and full corner sealing, it can be used to package both ground coffee and whole beans in different packaging formats.”

By lowering the height of the machine, Syntegon was also able to reduce the cycle time for higher packaging speeds. This results in a lower drop height for the coffee beans, which reduces the breakage rate and rejects significantly and leads to better ergonomics for format changes.

“Manufacturers can therefore plan for the long term with the machine, even in case of design or format changes,” says Holm.

The PMX presents the latest sensor technology that digitally monitors resource consumption of inert gas and packaging material.

“Machine data is collected in real time and clearly displayed on dashboards. Its digital condition monitoring supports manufacturers to meet growing sustainability goals, such as minimising packaging material, energy, and gas consumption,” says Holm.

“The PMX is designed for sustainability by processing all relevant recyclable materials into high-quality packages. Manufacturers can ensure unique packaging and meet growing sustainability demands from their customers.

“Offering a sustainably packaged product also gives them a way to differentiate their brand from competitors and sell their products for a higher price.”

All stations are designed to process recyclable packaging materials and valves made of mono-materials like polypropylene or polyethylene.

With more than a century of experience, Holm says Syntegon is a leader in the development of sustainable packaging solutions, thanks to processing eco-friendly and recyclable materials on its machines and pursuing ambitious goals to lower its emissions.

“The PMX embodies these goals, fulfilling modern requirements with respect to sustainability and digitalisation, processing recyclable mono-materials and reducing energy and material usage through condition monitoring,” she says.

“Syntegon presents an entire coffee packaging platform, not only a single machine. Customers have the choice to decide what machine module is the best fit for them: They can select different dosing and weighing options, multiple sealing systems and top closure elements as well as pick from a broad portfolio of valves and applicators.”

Holm says another reason why consumers choose to work with Syntegon is because the company provides a hands-on approach.

“Firstly, Syntegon includes their customers in the development process of their machinery. Our coffee lab, for instance, gives our customers the possibility to test new materials at our site and we can support them to find the right recyclable materials for their packaging. In my experience, customers are always very happy to be involved in the development phase of their project, as they’re able to provide their feedback to Syntegon,” she says.

“Secondly, Syntegon goes above and beyond in the service it offers. Our relationship with the customer doesn’t end with the purchase of a machine. Syntegon offers a broad service portfolio, such as after sales services, modernisations, training operators on how to use the machine, or spare parts services. We continue to support the manufacturers after the purchase of their machine.”

Holm says providing customers with the best solution is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

“We always want to ensure our customers can rely on our expertise and engineering competence for their economic success,” she says.

“With 1100 service experts and a comprehensive service portfolio throughout the entire machine lifecycle from spare parts management to digital line optimisation, Syntegon lays the foundation for smooth production processes. In everything we do, our more than 30 sites in almost 20 countries keep a firm eye on our impact on the environment and society.” GCR

For more information, visit www.syntegon.com/coffee-packaging-solutions

A size solution

WHEN YOU TAKE THE BEST PARTS OF THE WORDS QUALITY AND BEST PERFORMANCE AND MERGE THEM TOGETHER, YOU GET EGRO’S NEW QUBE FULLY AUTOMATIC COFFEE MACHINE FOR THE HOSPITALITY AND OFFICE COFFEE SERVICE SECTOR.

Anticipation is a heightened state of emotion when awaiting the release of a new iPhone, expecting new music to drop from a favourite artist, or the unveiling of a new Netflix series.

Rancilio Group Export Sales Director Andrea Lucchini says this is the same feeling partners the world over shared while waiting for the release of Egro’s new fully automatic coffee machine.

“QuBe is something the market has been demanding. Our partners have been continuously asking when it would be in production after viewing it at Host Milano 2021. They see it as a solution to market needs, so we have made a really big effort to have it ready by June 2022, which is a short twoand-a-half-year turnaround,” Lucchini says.

“The conditions during the pandemic were extremely tough, but we wanted to keep going and keep developing this product for the Ho.Re.Ca industry, one of the most impacted sectors during the pandemic.”

The new Egro QuBe is a fully automatic coffee machine designed to offer customers the best milk and coffee experience within a compact unit. It is best suited to offices, coffee corners, and establishments that cater for an average consumption of 80 to 120 cups of coffee per day, and require a varied coffee menu.

“QuBe completes the Egro range. It’s much more compact compared to other fully automatic machines in our range, but more and more, we can see that consumers have an expectation for increasingly good quality coffee anytime, anywhere,” Lucchini says.

“QuBe is the answer to this need, allowing business operators with limited space, such as small restaurants, bakeries, pastry or ice cream shops, and convenience outlets where coffee is not the main focus, to still assure customers a high standard of coffee quality.”

While Egro already has a range of top-end machines suited to high volume espresso and milk-based coffee consumption, such as the Egro Next, Lucchini says it was important that Egro also address the growing needs of venues with lower consumption without risking the quality of coffee output.

“Egro always invests in quality and top-of-the-range products. But the key with QuBe was to reduce the size capacity of the machine and thereby price point, and provide a machine with flexibility. In this way, we can give the user different options according to their needs, keeping in mind that quality drives choice,” Lucchini says.

As such, QuBe is available in three versions – Pure Coffee, Quick Milk, and Pro Milk – and a total amount of seven configurations. Pure Coffee is suited to volumes of 80 cups per day, Quick Milk to

QuBe Pro Milk with two coffee grinders, one built-in powder hopper and optional external fridge. 100 cups per day, and Pro Milk to 120 cups per day. With the Pro Milk version, users can select milk temperature and texture for every dose, Lucchini’s favourite feature, he says.

QuBe features up to two coffee grinders, up to two built-in powder hoppers for chocolate or powder milk, and an optional external fridge for fresh milk.

Egro QuBe’s adjustable brewing chamber from nine- to 16-gram capacity allows users to customise each coffee recipe during programming.

The seven-inch touchscreen makes it easy to navigate and select the drink to be dispensed. Through the interface users can program up to 27 drinks, adjust the dosage and temperature, and set more than three water doses.

Rancilio Group Marketing and Communication Manager Simona Sordelli says one of the challenges in developing QuBe was how to adapt Egro’s milk system technology from its high-end machines into a small, compact model that gives very similar results.

“Lower volume production and a smaller machine does not mean lower quality. Egro has been part of Rancilio Group for almost 15 years and as a company, we’ve shared the same philosophy for quality since 1927,” Sordelli says.

The machine boiler, thermoblock, water tank and waste basket all fit into the compact space, which is 58.5 centimetres tall. With carefully placed internal components and up to two built-in bean or powder hoppers, the QuBe’s compact size is ideal for fitting in most commercial kitchens or under kitchen cupboards with minimal workspace required.

Just as QuBe is a size solution, it’s also a solution for venues without an experienced barista with minimal training required.

“During COVID, for example, Egro implemented online training and scheduled webinars to keep our customers informed and connected without travelling,” says Sordelli.

“We even ran digital tutorials for our technicians to better understand the machine. We will continue offering our training services online and in-person to accommodate everyone’s needs.”

During installation, customers can choose to have the machine connected directly to a

Andrea Lucchini is the Export Sales Director at Rancilio Group. Simona Sordelli is Rancilio Group Marketing & Communication Manager.

mains water supply, or can simply use the optional four-litre water tank inside the machine.

The QuBe interface is designed with three different menus depending on the operational role as a manager, barista/operator or technician. In the tech menu, all the different parameters can be set. In manager mode, users can modify menu recipes, and in barista/operator view is the list of products to be selected.

“When we develop a machine, we really think about everyone in the chain – our technicians, engineers, designers, customers and operators – to see how we can develop a solution that is really accessible, easy to maintain, and makes an overall improvement for our users,” Lucchini says.

The QuBe also connects to Rancilio Group’s Connect telemetry system. As a powerful IoT solution, Sordelli says the Connect system helps customers gather and easily analyse valuerelevant data and key performance parameters.

“Users can track and measure consumption of the machine, its performance at various stores within a group, and be notified should an element not be working and is need of attention, further preventing lost downtime and anticipating the need of spare parts if required,” Sordelli says.

The arrangement of QuBe’s internal components, assembled in modules, is designed to speed up maintenance and cleaning operations.

The front panel of the machine allows easy access to QuBe’s internal components, including group head and circuits, for maintenance, while intuitive, easy-step instructions guide users to clean the machine properly with pre-dosed cleaning detergent for the brewing unit and 10-gram tablets for the milk system. Once the cycle is complete, all the user needs to do is empty the container of waste and refill with fresh water.

Sordelli says the QuBe is testament to Egro’s commitment to excellence. In October 2021, the company presented a new logo with a fresh, dynamic look, and is passionate about communicating its commitment to excellence with every machine it delivers.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved during the past two years and the QuBe is a big part of our effort in order to be close to the people who are working and using our range of machines, both domestically and professionally,” Sordelli says.

“We will never stop investing, we will never stop developing, and we will never stop talking with our customers and partners all over the world to understand what they need and how we can provide solutions.” GCR

For more information, visit www.ranciliogroup.com/egro/qube