Packaging is one of the materials that come into direct contact with food and can isolate air, extend shelf life, and ensure that food is not contaminated by external factors. And these functions usually require a sound aseptic packaging process. With the increasing awareness of food safety among consumers, aseptic packaging machines will become one of the essential equipment in food production.
There are many advantages of sterile packaging technology
Sterile packaging was born in the 1940s, and after more than half a century of development, the technology is very mature. At present, aseptic packaging accounts for over 65% of liquid food packaging in developed countries abroad, with an annual growth rate of over 5%. The aseptic packaging technology in China started in the 1970s and rapidly developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. From the initial introduction of complete sets of aseptic equipment production lines and packaging consumables from abroad to independent research and development, China's aseptic packaging technology has gone through a process of growing from scratch and gradually moving towards maturity.
Sterile packaging technology has many advantages. Firstly, it can ensure the complete preservation of the nutritional components of food; Secondly, composite packaging materials and vacuum state can prevent products from being invaded by light, gas, odors, and microorganisms, eliminating the need for preservatives in food and refrigeration during transportation and storage; Thirdly, the appearance of aseptic packaging products is generally brick shaped, and the raw materials are paper. The product has high space utilization and light weight, so the cost is not high. The cost for soft packaging of beverages is only one fourth of that of metal cans, and 97% of the total weight after filling is beverages; Fourthly, the packaging conforms to the trend of environmentally friendly packaging.
Due to the above advantages of sterile packaging, this technology has been applied in the packaging of food, beverages, dairy products, edible oils, as well as products such as brewing, seasoning, medicine, cosmetics, etc. Nowadays, the vast majority of milk and over half of fruit juice in developed countries are packaged in sterile packaging. This packaging process is being promoted in China and widely favored by industry insiders.
Aseptic packaging technology attracts attention
In recent years, the application of new aseptic packaging technologies has been remarkable. New shapes, new materials, and related technologies with new injection ports are all practical. This is the result of the packaging industry's efforts to adapt to the requirements of dairy and soft drink production companies in reforming packaging.
Tega Parker Company is a globally renowned giant in packaging design, processing and production, often introducing refreshing packaging product design ideas and forms in the global packaging industry. The Canadian branch of the company has also launched an lL capacity eight stable sterile prism shaped packaging box, which not only has a unique design but also a unique lid system.
70% of the packaging containers designed and produced by Tega Parker Company are made of cardboard, which has good rigidity and can effectively isolate light. A layer of polyethylene film is tightly adhered to the inner and outer walls of the cardboard box, mainly to prevent leakage and repeated pollution. Due to the use of "aseptic" treatment on the box wall, even without the use of a refrigerator or the addition of preservatives, the juice has a longer shelf life.
There is great potential for the development of sterile packaging in China
China's packaging industry has developed rapidly in recent years, becoming the world's third largest packaging country. But overall, the domestic food aseptic packaging industry is not ideal enough. Compared with developed countries, the main problems in China's sterile packaging industry are: single variety and unreasonable product structure; Small production scale and low output; Low degree of mechanization. But it also means that China's aseptic packaging industry still has great development prospects.
With the continuous improvement of people's living standards and the general strengthening of consumer awareness, as well as the transformation of consumer attitudes, China's aseptic packaging industry will usher in new development opportunities. Sterile packaging technology not only has great development potential in the dairy industry, but also has made significant progress in other industries. The technical equipment of a large number of large enterprises in China's beverage industry has approached or reached international advanced levels. The future beverage industry will have a great demand for packaging equipment, especially for filling equipment for non aerated beverages such as tea and fruit juice.
In order for Chinese packaging enterprises to establish a solid foothold and climb upwards domestically and even internationally, they also need to put in efforts in terms of quality and reliability. Enterprises should develop in a larger direction in production and sales, seize opportunities, seize the market, and fully leverage their own advantages and characteristics in technology. They do not seek to be comprehensive, but strive for excellence, truly achieving impeccable equipment performance and quality. With the intensification of domestic competition, enterprises must also improve product quality and performance, and gradually break the long-term dominance of imported equipment in the high-end market through their own development. Domestic sterile packaging technology is bound to step out of the country and enter the world.