PFM Packaging Machinery Ltd's fastest vertical form fill and seal machine, capable of 180 bags a minute, will be unveiled in the UK for the first time at this year's PPMA show. The new PFM Comet operates in continuous motion and incorporates a long dwell rotary sealing system to provide hermetic seals as well as a short drop height to suit fragile products. Draw down of the packaging medium is via vacuum or friction belts, to suit the application, while gas flushing for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) can be carried out at full machine speed.

PFM's sales director Chris Bolton said: "The Comet is a compact, yet fast and versatile machine that marks PFM's arrival in the high speed bagging market. Coupled with a PFM multihead weigher it provides a cost effective solution, particularly for the snack food and confectionery industries."

Also shown by PFM is the MBP C2 14-head multihead weigher, sealed to IP 65 standards for wash down in the food industry, and the Scirocco flow-wrapper, a servo driven machine for high speed MAP applications.

A team of highly skilled engineers will be available at the PPMA show to demonstrate the equipment and give further guidance on their applications. Italian owned PFM has over 40 years experience as specialists in the design and manufacture of horizontal and vertical form fill seal machinery. PFM UK has been established for over 20 years and provides full after sales service including spare parts on next day delivery from its Leeds - based site.

Background Information:

PFM Packaging Machinery Ltd is part of the PFM Group with facilities in Leeds, Italy, Germany, Canada and Russia. These operations together with a network of complementary distributors, enables the group to supply companies based in 75 countries.

The company manufactures an extensive range of packaging machinery comprising around 40 models.

These are divided into flowrap and form fill seal packaging machines, various automatic feed systems, an infinite range of accessories for specific operations and for customisation of machines and lines as well as a complete series of linear and multi-head weighing machines.

A wide range of companies are already successfully using PFM equipment for a variety of packaging applications. These include bakeries, fresh produce growers, cheese makers, ready meal suppliers, meat and poultry wholesalers, wet tissue manufacturers, medical and pharmaceutical, household product makers and numerous other producers.