EMA Pack Blog
Practical guides, technical insights and updates on industrial food packaging technologies.
How a vacuum chamber machine works
Complete guide to vacuum chamber packaging machines: suction cycle, sealing, types and selection criteria for industrial use.
MAP Packaging: the complete guide to modified atmosphere
MAP packaging explained: gases used (CO₂, N₂, O₂), shelf life results by product, and when to choose MAP over vacuum. Technical guide.
Vacuum Skin Packaging: complete technical guide
What is Vacuum Skin Packaging, how it works, which products it suits and what advantages it offers over traditional vacuum and MAP packaging.
How an industrial thermoformer works
Technical guide to thermoforming machines for food packaging: work stations, film forming, cutting, vacuum and MAP. For medium-high volumes.
Tray sealing: technical guide to tray sealers
How food tray sealing works: cover film, sealing parameters, vacuum, MAP and machine selection criteria.
Shrink tunnel: applications and technical parameters
How a heat shrink tunnel works, which films it uses, applications in meat and cold cut packaging, and how it integrates with vacuum chambers and automatic lines.
Automatic packaging lines: how to integrate them in your plant
How to design and integrate an automatic food packaging line: layout, machines, control, hygiene and criteria for justifying the investment.
Fresh fish packaging: techniques, machines and shelf life
How to package fresh fish to extend shelf life: vacuum, MAP, VSP, machine selection and hygienic regulations for the fish sector.
Vacuum meat packaging: complete guide for butchers and industry
Everything about vacuum meat packaging: shelf life, machine types, difference between vacuum and MAP, materials and HACCP regulations.
Cold cuts and sliced meat packaging: industrial solutions
How to package whole, sliced and portioned cold cuts: vacuum chamber, shrink wrapping, MAP tray sealer. Shelf life, machines and regulations.
Cheese packaging: vacuum, MAP or skin packaging?
How to choose the packaging technology for fresh, semi-aged and aged cheeses: vacuum, MAP, VSP, shelf life and recommended machines.
Ready meals and fourth range packaging: industrial solutions
How to package ready meals and fresh-cut produce: MAP tray sealer, thermoformer, skin packaging. Shelf life, regulations and machines for food service and retail.
Industrial pet food packaging: machines and solutions
Packaging solutions for wet and dry pet food: tray sealer, thermoformer, MAP and vacuum. Regulations, materials and shelf life for animal food.
Frozen seafood packaging: technical guide
How to package frozen fish and seafood: vacuum, thermoformer, cryo-resistant materials, regulations and shelf life at -18°C.
Food shelf life: how packaging extends it
How packaging technologies (vacuum, MAP, VSP) extend food shelf life: mechanisms, comparative data for meat, fish, cheese and ready meals.
Meat shelf life: vacuum vs MAP, data and comparison
Real data comparison on fresh and processed meat shelf life with vacuum vs MAP packaging: timelines, colour, costs and which technology to choose.
MAP packaging gases: CO₂, N₂, O₂ and mixtures for every food
Guide to gases used in MAP packaging: function of CO₂, N₂ and O₂, standard mixtures for meat, fish, cheese, bakery and fresh-cut produce.
How to choose a professional vacuum sealer
Practical guide to choosing an industrial vacuum packaging machine: volumes, product format, vacuum level, materials, service and budget.
Single, double or automatic chamber: comparison guide
Differences between single, double and automatic belt vacuum chambers: productivity, costs, pros and cons. Practical guide to choosing the right type.
Thermoformer vs tray sealer: which to choose for your line?
Practical comparison between thermoformer and tray sealer: productivity, costs, flexibility, format change and when each technology is better.
ROI of an automatic packaging line: how to calculate it
Step-by-step ROI calculation for an automatic packaging line: labour savings, waste reduction, capacity increase and real break-even examples.
Stainless steel in food machines: AISI grades and regulations
Differences between AISI 304 and 316L stainless steel in food machines: corrosion resistance, hygiene regulations, applications and when 316L is mandatory.
HACCP and food packaging: obligations and best practice
How to apply HACCP in food packaging: critical control points, temperature, pack integrity, documentation and audits.
CE regulations for packaging machines: what changes in 2025
2025 regulatory update for food packaging machines: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, new Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 and practical implications.
EHEDG hygienic design in packaging machines
How EHEDG principles apply to food packaging machines: surfaces, joints, CIP cleaning and why hygienic design reduces HACCP risks.
Format change in packaging machines: what to evaluate
How to evaluate format change flexibility in packaging machines: times, tooling, costs and impact on productivity.
Preventive maintenance of packaging machines
How to implement a preventive maintenance plan for packaging machines: intervals, critical components, costs and benefits vs reactive maintenance.
Made in Italy in industrial packaging: engineering and quality
Why Made in Italy packaging machines are recognised worldwide: mechanical engineering, customisation, technical service and long-term value.
Packaging automation: 2025-2026 trends
2025-2026 trends in food packaging automation: collaborative robots, Industry 4.0, OPC-UA connectivity, sustainability and new materials.
Sustainable packaging: materials, waste reduction and regulations
How to make food packaging more sustainable: recyclable films, material reduction, food waste and the impact of the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR).
Industrial vacuum packaging machine price: guide and price ranges
How much does an industrial vacuum packaging machine cost? Price ranges for single, double and automatic chambers, with hidden costs to consider before buying.
Thermoformer prices: investment ranges and selection guide
How much does a food industry thermoformer cost? Price ranges, semi-automatic and automatic models, recurring costs and when the investment is worthwhile.
Industry 5.0 and packaging machines: how to access the tax credit in Italy
How to access Industry 5.0 incentives for food packaging machines in Italy: tax credit, technical requirements, documentation and practical process.
New or used packaging machine: cost, risk and when each makes sense
Is it better to buy a used or new vacuum packaging machine? Comparison of price, warranties, service, CE compliance and long-term hidden costs.
Leasing and financing packaging machines: practical guide
How to finance the purchase of packaging machines: financial leasing, operational rental, Italian Sabatini grant and bank loan. Pros and cons comparison.
How to choose a packaging machine supplier: 10 key questions
Practical guide to choosing the right packaging machine supplier: service, spare parts, training, references and documentation. The 10 questions to ask before signing.
Which packaging machine for a small food business: models and budget
Which packaging machine to choose for a small food business? Guide for butchers, artisan cured meat producers, dairies and labs with 3,000-25,000 euro budget.
Tray sealer: buying guide, prices and model comparison
How to choose a tray sealer for food packaging: semi-automatic and automatic prices, MAP/VSP/skin technologies, tray costs and when it beats chamber machines.
Technical service for packaging machines: what to evaluate before buying
What to evaluate about after-sales technical service before buying a packaging machine: SLA, spare parts, remote assistance, contracts and hidden costs.
How a packaging machine quote works: what to expect
What a packaging machine quote includes: configuration, accessories, installation, training, warranty and how to compare different offers.
Fresh pasta MAP packaging: complete technical guide
How to package fresh pasta in modified atmosphere: CO₂/N₂/O₂ gas mixtures, 30-60 day shelf life, thermoformer and tray sealer machines. Updated technical guide.
MAP packaging for bread, pizza and bakery products
How to package bread in MAP: N₂/CO₂ gas, 30-90 day shelf life, flow wrappers and thermoformers for industrial bakeries. Updated guide 2026.
7 common vacuum packaging mistakes (and how to avoid them)
The 7 most frequent mistakes in industrial vacuum packaging: from wrong vacuum levels to seal failures. How to recognise and correct them.
Food packaging film: selection guide
How to choose the right film for vacuum and MAP packaging: PA/PE, EVOH, PP, OTR and WVTR barrier, thicknesses, food certifications. Complete technical guide.
Packaging line OEE: how to measure and improve efficiency
How to calculate OEE for a food packaging line: availability, performance, quality. Typical values for chambers, tray sealers, thermoformers and how to improve them.
Industry 4.0 and packaging: connectivity, data and predictive maintenance
How Industry 4.0 is transforming food packaging lines: OPC-UA, MES, IoT sensors, predictive maintenance and remote access. Practical guide 2026.
Integrated line vs stand-alone machines: when integration pays
When does it make sense to invest in an integrated packaging line instead of stand-alone machines? Cost-benefit analysis, volumes, flexibility and ROI. Guide for purchasing managers.
Skin packaging for fish: VSP technical guide
How to package fish with skin packaging (VSP): advantages for shelf life, presentation, drip reduction. Trays, skin film and machines for fillets, salmon, sea bass.
How to write a technical specification for a packaging machine
How to write a technical specification for industrial packaging machine purchase: product specs, performance, safety, hygiene, acceptance testing. Downloadable template.
Sustainable packaging 2026: recyclable films and packaging regulation
How food packaging changes with EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025: recyclable mono-material films, PCR content, design for recycling. Practical guide.
Italy Transition 5.0 Tax Credit for Packaging Machines: 2024–2025 Guide
Italian government tax incentive (Transizione 5.0) for Industry 4.0 packaging machines with energy savings. Rates, requirements and GSE procedure 2024–2025.
Nuova Sabatini: Italian Subsidised Financing for Packaging Machinery
Italian Nuova Sabatini incentive for SMEs investing in packaging machinery: subsidised interest contribution, eligible equipment and MIMIT procedure. Italy-specific.
Industry 5.0 vs Industry 4.0 in Food Packaging: Differences and Italian Incentives
How Industry 5.0 differs from 4.0 in food packaging: sustainability requirements, human-centricity and Italy's Transizione 5.0 tax credit for eligible machinery.