“Marti Engineering has given a great support to our company. Many contracts have been signed thanks to them. It’s really important have customers who trust agents in this very competitive market and this is what happens with Marti Engineering. As we can see from the market trend Turkey is becoming a country really important in the field of food, any kind of and also in non food one so I guess we can be strongly competitive with our technologies to supply customers needs in many different sectors.”
Silvia Vezzani
Sales and Social Media Manager at Altopack Group Spa
Italy’s pasta packaging technology leader Altopack, which has been designing, manufacturing and marketing automatic packaging machines since 1999, builds its growth on innovation and high technology. Its expertise in food packaging has enabled the brand to become a leader in the sector and allows it to effectively transfer its deep-rooted know-how to various industrial sectors. “We have always firmly believed that expertly executed packaging elevates a product’s quality to perfection; we are committed to ongoing process enhancement and the development of new processes to maintain a close connection with customers in all aspects,” says Silvia Vezzani, Sales and Social Media Manager at Altopack Group Spa, adding that their primary goal is to offer their customers both technologically advanced and safe products. Silvia Vezzani’s answers to BBM Magazine’s questions are as follows:
Could you share with us the work that Altopack has been engaged in for over 20 years in a rapidly evolving industry?
Altopack collects a long tradition made of technology and innovation conquering the leadership in the solution for primary packaging; in 2018 opened a local unit in the heart of packaging valley in Borgo Panigale and in 2019 bought Gammapack extending its offer in the field of secondary packaging; in 2021 the group expanded launching Cyborg Line, the team dedicated to the humanoid robot development with applications in the packaging field.
If we were to ask you to describe packaging in the context of the food sector, what kind of overview would you provide?
We can consider that while paper packaging may be more environmentally friendly and visually appealing plastic packaging is more durable and cost-effective. It is essential to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of each material when making a decision about which packaging material to use. Altopack packaging machines can manage any kind of material following customer’s requests and needs.
What factors played a crucial role in establishing your authority in the food industry’s packaging, particularly in bakery products?
Bags are really important in bakery market, we pay attention during packaging process at the sealing (hot and cold) and also speed is extremely relevant due to the product broken possibility. We work doing many tests on our packaging machines avoiding all product breakages
For companies investing in sectors such as pasta, flour, biscuits, and snacks, what key considerations should they keep in mind regarding packaging investments?
One of the most important point is that packaging machines need to be really versatile considering that for example we have two packaging machines that can manage many different kind of products: PQ80 and PQ100 (this one can manage 26 different kind of bags), it means that if we invest in research and development we can achieve important goals, as market growth fast companies should do the same.
Can you provide insights into the machines used for packaging pasta and flour?
During the years we have developed high technologies in the field of pasta packaging, our machines are equipped with all the latest generation devices (zero air device, camera system for fragment detection, print check camera system, easy open application group, stripping device)
Considering Turkey’s significant role as a global player in pasta production and export, how does Altopack view the Turkish market? What significance does the Turkish market hold for your company?
In turkey we have many customers and the major of the country; Turkiye’s economy grew by 5,6% in 2022 from 11,4% the previous year, as export investment and manufacturing. Food grow annually by 15,36% increasing largest segment in confectionary and snacks so with our technologies we are able to cover all market: pasta, snacks, cereals, sweets, bakery, legumes, pet food with primary and secondary packaging too. Turkey remains our primary market.
What are the upcoming investment plans and objectives for the Altopack Group?
We strongly believe in research and innovation, it’s not possible to stay in the market if not investing in new technologies and also in people who can give support and knowledge so our mission and purpose is to develop every year new products to be always competitive.
In the constantly evolving food sector, where hygiene is increasingly scrutinized, what innovations are unfolding in the packaging industry?
Key purpose of every packaging is to protect the packed products, it is needed against oxygen, dirt, mold, bacteria so while machines are running operator should pay attention and for this reason for example our electrical panels are all on the top of the machines to avoid any kind of risk.
How does the integration of robots in the packaging sector impact business operations?
Our view in integrated robots in the packaging sector born to give an answer felt all over the packaging world: eliminate those low movements but with high frequency, related to the activity of procurement of consumable heavily wearing for the operator and time consuming. Combining the advantages of robotic to industrial automation.
In addition to technological advancements, even top-performing packaging machines require regular servicing and updates. How does your company address this need?
One of the most important service companies can give is the after sale service, we constantly give support to our customers all around the world avoiding problems they could have with spare parts, post testing machines connecting by remote assistance.
What do you foresee as the future trends in food packaging?
Future of packaging industry will be developed with advanced materials, artificial intelligence (AI) and also robotics. We really have to think about recyclable packaging, biodegradable materials, compostable plastics, plant – based alternatives and discover how reduce environmental impact to promote a circular economy.
In an era where environmental awareness is rising, and natural events are more prevalent due to climate change, what steps is the packaging industry, and specifically Altopack, taking?
There’s no doubt that factories have majorly contributed to the damage caused to the environment – air pollution, toxic waste, and water contamination while it’s true that factories are not the only contributors to the damage that continues to ruin our planet at a rapid apce but they are on of the major contributors. In Altopack we evaluate to see if there is anything that can be reuse not just in the manufacturing process but also for the use of the whole facility, also our employees are educate to differentiate waste and in the new factory where we are moving solar panels will be installed.
What are your thoughts on edible and renewable packaging?
A very important matter to talk about; rice wafer is another great option for edible packaging. It is frequently used to wrap various types of candy and chocolates and can be eaten along with the candies. Rice paper is safe because it keeps toxins out of the candy while eliminating waste that occurs with plastic or wax paper wrappers. Thinking about ecofriendly we do not have to forget which could be the risk: contamination: materials used in eco friendly packaging can easily breakdown. There is a risk of cross contamination with packaging when it is in customers homes and when they arrive at recycling facilities.
As of 2023, you are continuing your way with a new distributor in Turkey, what kind of a year was 2023 with Martı Engineering and what would you like to say about the pasta market in Turkey for future?
Marti Engineering has given a great support to our company. Many contracts have been signed thanks to them; it’s a team able to work together finding the best way to support customers needs and in Turkey they are well known from many companies.
It’s really important have customers who trust agents in this very competitive market and this is what happens with Marti Engineering.
As we can see from the market trend Turkey is becoming a country really important in the field of food, any kind of and also in non food one so I guess we can be strongly competitive with our technologies to supply customers needs in many different sectors.