Retort Packaging Solutions
Waldner North America has managed and participated in various aspects of retort packaging lines for the food industry for over 25 years, including:
- Packaging materials
- Filling and sealing equipment with direct retort tray loading
- Automated handling systems of retort trays and baskets
- Retort packaging systems
- Package integrity inspection systems
The team of engineers at Waldner North America has a high level of expertise and knowledge in the packaging retort market working with cups, trays, pouches, and spouted pouches. The project experience for packaging materials ranges from aluminum containers to multi-layered pouches to high barrier plastics with long shelf life capability. The food products typically seen in the packaging retort market include:
- Seafood Products
- Soups
- Sauces
- Vegetables
- Meats
- Prepared Meals
- Baby Food
- Pet Food
- Dairy Products
- Other Protein Based Liquids
- Organic Products
- Specialty Foods
Product filling for retort applications can be handled through single or multiple filling stages. The latter allows the food producer to use fresher products that can be separately filled into the package, providing flexibility in product development and adapting recipes to different retort processes. Filling capabilities range from liquids with large particulates to IQF meats to fresh vegetables with a variety of filling technologies.
The sealing process for a retort package is the most critical step in the production line. The package is stressed through the pressure and temperature of the retort process, which means the seal has to be able to withstand this dynamic environment. High pressure, high temperature sealing stations or ultrasonic sealing stations are the proven technologies in the industry that produce the highest quality seal for cups, trays, and pouches.
Package handling is an important process throughout the entire production line. If the packages are being handled properly in the following areas, the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation will remain at a high level:
- Within the packaging machine
- From the packaging machine to the retort tray
- Stacking trays and loading these stacks or baskets into the retort
- Unloading the retort, destacking the trays, and removing packages from the trays
The retort process technology can vary based on the type of package and product characteristics. Contact us to discuss a variety of retort packaging technologies.
