The dairy industry is relentlessly high demand and high volume. To match the unique requirements of dairy production environments, and similar bottling plants, dairy packaging machines are designed with unique qualities. These systems deliver on durability, reliability, safety and hygiene, to keep working hard over the long term.
In this blog, we explain what makes dairy packaging machines different, why stainless steel construction and IP65-rated packaging equipment are essential, and how these features benefit modern dairy operations.
Why Standard Packaging Systems Struggle in Dairy Environments
Dairy production environments place far greater demands on packaging machinery than many other food sectors.
The heavy weight of milk containers demands particularly heavy-duty, robust packaging machinery.
Frequent washdowns, constant exposure to moisture, and the corrosive nature of milk mean that stainless steel systems are necessary, as other metals simply don’t cut it.
In addition, hygiene compliance requirements within dairy facilities are stringent. Specific standards take the Regulatory Hygiene Framework as far as it can go. This includes principles for the design of facilities – equipment must be built to avoid contamination, with ease of cleaning and resistance to corrosion being fundamental.
This is why specialist dairy packaging solutions are required.
The Key Features That Set Dairy Packaging Systems Apart
So, what’s so different about these systems? Key features of the best available dairy packaging solutions include:
Stainless steel construction: this is a must and ensures that the equipment is corrosion-resistant, even in damp environments, preventing unhygienic rust and remaining solid and robust even over long term use. It’s worth noting that milk is corrosive to mild steel, so no dairy packaging system should consist of this.
Simple design with smooth surfaces: a design that is easy to clean reduces contamination risk and remains hygienic. Features such as a low maintenance sealing jaw also contribute to maintaining a hygienic system.
IP65-rated electrics: low voltage, waterproof electrics allow safe, easy washdowns, without risk.
Heavy duty sealing jaw: heavy bottles and large collations require a heavy-duty sealing arrangement to deliver a strong seal every time.
Seal cooling system: this feature creates a stronger seal in a faster time, so that packs can be handled straight away, delivering a faster offload of finished products, with reduced risk of pack damage in handling.
Minimal change parts: to provide fast changeovers between different products and collations.
The Advantages for Dairy Operations of Well-Designed Packaging Machinery
Dairy operations benefit from the unique design of dairy packaging machinery in a number of ways:
Speed: Fast throughput is achieved with no compromise on packing quality. The YPS systems can achieve throughput of up to 200 bottles per minute.
Flexibility: Multiple products and collations, including both trayed and trayless combinations, can be packed using the same packaging machinery, with fast and simple changeovers.
Health & Safety: Plant hygiene and operational safety are maintained, courtesy of the stainless-steel finish and low-voltage IP-65 rated electrics
Durability: Machine durability and reliability are assured, maintaining equipment uptime and delivering a long-term solution
Simple upkeep: Cleaning and maintenance routines are simplified for fastest and easiest ongoing upkeep
Assured compliance: Compliance with food safety regulations is never compromised by the equipment in use
High-strength packs: Strong seals are created ready for onward despatch of product, even with heavy packs
How YPS can help with packaging machinery for dairies
The dairy industry has been a core part of YPS’ business throughout our almost 50-year history, during which we’ve supplied nearly every dairy within the UK & Ireland. This experience has led to extensive expertise and understanding of the unique requirements of dairy and bottling plants.
Our dairy packaging systems are designed specifically to withstand washdown environments while delivering consistent high-speed performance and long-term reliability.
Our team can review your requirements with you and source the ideal dairy packaging system for you, tailored to your product and production facility, whilst delivering on the benefits that we’ve described here.
Our own team of engineers lead pre-purchase tests, installation, training and ongoing maintenance programmes, to support dairy customers throughout their use of their packaging machinery.
Discover more about packaging machinery for dairies
To find out how some of our customers have benefited from investment in packaging equipment for their dairy operations, take a look at the following case studies:
Little Town Dairy adds shrink wrapper to their big renovation project
Rodda’s Chooses YPS for Premium Packaging Equipment
Chew Valley Dairy Triple Production Output With YPS
New YPS Milk Wrapper For Leading Dairy
Ensure your dairy operation runs safely and efficiently with specialised packaging systems from YPS – contact us today.
Robust and reliable shrink wrap machines catering to harsh dairy environments, with heavy-duty build quality. Trayless packs can be wrapped at high speeds.
- Single lane specifications achieving 140 wrapped bottles per minute
- Twin lane specifications achieving 200 wrapped bottles per minute
- Low voltage IP65 rated electrics
- Hygienic stainless steel construction
- Integration with up and downstream equipment
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONs
Find out more about stainless steel dairy packaging solutions by reading the Frequently Asked Questions we’ve compiled.
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