“We have repackaged ourselves for you” is the slogan on the shelves of several well-known retailers, which invite consumers to enjoy delicious desserts based on Italian recipes from the DELLA MAMMA brand. Their fresh, new look was created with the help of packaging expert SEALPAC. An innovative, high-tech A6max traysealer now packs the sweet treats not only more efficiently and attractively, but also in a resource-saving manner using the SealCup® packaging solution. With almost 90 employees, Dolce GmbH, located in Ulm in southern Germany, is known for its handmade Italian desserts made from natural ingredients. The confectionery and patisserie specialist produces top-quality products, which are prepared according to unchanged, traditional family recipes, but also according to recipes developed individually for its customers. In addition to the gastronomy, hotel industry, and catering segment, Dolce GmbH also supplies its fresh desserts to numerous food retailers under the DELLA MAMMA brand name.
Comprehensive advice: the optimal packaging solution
When Dolce GmbH started looking for a new packaging solution for its products with a home-made look, in order to enrich the product portfolio of well-known retailers, the company relied on SEALPAC, the leading manufacturer of high-tech traysealers and thermoformers. This packaging expert provided comprehensive advice, ranging from application technology and process flows to material selection. Jointly, the companies came up with the optimal solution for the new DELLA MAMMA packaging. The desserts are now filled in contemporary packaging, which uses less plastic, and which is sealed on a traysealer from SEALPAC’s reliable and particularly efficient Amax-series.
Sustainable: trays made of mono-PP
Those responsible at Dolce GmbH chose a modified atmosphere packaging system that is suitable for both hot and cold filling. During the sealing process on the A6max traysealer, SEALPAC’s special SealCup® system is used, which ensures extremely low residual oxygen values of 1% or less. This significantly extends the shelf life of the oxygen-sensitive desserts and retains their colour. At the same time, the plastic content of the packaging has been significantly reduced. Instead of using a lid and cardboard sleeve, Dolce GmbH now only uses a peelable top film that is labelled after reliably sealing the trays. The trays were designed by one of SEALPAC’s partners as a contemporary, mono-material solution made of PP. As such, they can be easily and completely recycled in the existing waste disposal streams.
State of the art: SEALPAC A6max traysealer
Dolce GmbH decided on a fully automatic process based on the SEALPAC Amax-series, which has set standards in the packaging industry. These intuitively operated traysealers are up to 50% faster than previous generations, depending on the application. They are characterized by a particularly low-wear and low-maintenance design and are driven by high-quality servo motors, which ensure smooth operation that has never been achieved on the market. The integrated EnergyManager module ensures an extremely economical use of energy.
The family business in Ulm selected a stand-alone SEALPAC A6max traysealer with manual filling station. The single-lane machine, equipped with a 6-impression tool, transports the filled trays towards the sealing station in an indexed manner. SEALPAC’s unique SmartCord collection system, which works without stoppers, ensures controlled guidance and gentle positioning of the trays through all process steps. The A6max hermetically seals the trays with the top film. By applying the proven InsideCut sealing system, a SEALPAC invention, the top film is sealed to perfection within the edges of the tray, resulting in an outstanding presentation.
Improved packaging: increased attractiveness
Dolce GmbH is extremely satisfied with this successful step into automated packaging of its fine Italian desserts, As Massimo Forgione, the company’s Managing Director, emphasizes: “The new packaging solution combines tradition and modern development. It allows us to stay true to our roots and produce our desserts with natural ingredients according to traditional family recipes. At the same time, we are now able to optimally fulfil the wishes of our retail customers through larger quantities and extended shelf lives, thus making our products even more attractive for consumers.”
