The reduction and avoidance of (plastic) packaging has become a major issue in the trade. Sustainable alternatives are being sought everywhere and more and more often, banderoles are finding their way into the food retail trade. Whether used for zucchini, celery or bananas - banderoles have come to stay. This is also noticeable at ATS-Tanner Banding Systems AG from Switzerland.
Guiseppe Diglio at his stand at Fruit Logistica 2019
"Banderoles are gentle on the product, and sustainable," says Thomas Weber. "Banderoles can be used in many ways. They hold products together or serve to seal plastic trays. In the case of printed banderoles, the branding can be executed via these entirely and this can be supplemented with additional information (EAN, expiry date, etc.) by means of just-in-time printing. The applications of banding technology are almost unlimited." This type of packaging also makes it possible to convincingly discern the freshness of food at the point of sale.
A 20 - 100 mm wide tape as a complete packaging
"Banding technology is becoming increasingly widespread in the food sector. The band can be printed in high quality up to 8 colours and gives the product its identity in a simple way. This allows marketing measures to be prominently displayed at the point of sale and design specifications to be easily complied with."
Many users today work with pre-printed ribbons that only sport images, Weber explains. Any important marketing information is added online to the pre-printed information during the packaging process. "We use our banding machines with integrated thermal transfer printers for this purpose. Ingredients, ingredients, nutritional values, weight, expiry date and other variable information can thus be declared just-in-time, which gives us enormous time flexibility". Even the handling of barcodes is solved with this multi-talent among the packaging types. If desired, the back of the banderole can also be used as a campaign area - for example for recipes and serving suggestions.
From pineapple to zucchini
The range of application is virtually unlimited. For fresh fruit and vegetables, everything from pineapple to zucchini can be banded. Other foods are workable as well, however.
Ideal technology for heat-sensitive food products
According to the company, the ATS ultrasonic cold welding of the band is unique in the industry. "It protects the packaged goods and does not generate any heat during the packaging process. By the way, the banderoles are available in paper, polypropylene, polyethylene or bioplastics, so that full flexibility is guaranteed with regard to choice of material, tear resistance, etc. The idea of sustainability is a big issue in our company and as far as packaging is concerned we definitely offer our customers one of the most efficient options".
With the ATS systems, the bond strength is also infinitely adjustable, which is a decisive advantage for such diverse products as spring onions. "The application spectrum of ATS ranges from the single-place banding machine to the integration of digitally controlled fully automatic machines in customers' production lines."
Get to know ATS-Tanner Banding Systems AG personally at Fruit Logistica in Berlin: Hall 9 - D-02.
For more information:
Thomas Weber
ATS-Tanner Banding Systems AG
Poststrasse 30 
CH-6300 Zug
Tel.: +41 56 676 67 14
https://www.ats-tanner.com/en
t.weber@ats-tanner.ch