he demand for packaged food has been growing steadily over the last decade and more. Need for convenience, hygiene considerations and influx of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook options, driven by changing lifestyles, growing incomes and increasing mobility are driving this demand. More and more consumers now prefer packaged edible oil, food grains, milk, snacks, mithai, etc. over the traditionally popular loose products. The pandemic has only added to the situation, causing the market to boom further. Today, supermarkets and restaurants too are opting for packaged staples, pre-packaged salads and cut vegetables, etc. Many food sellers are shifting to selling pre-made meals that are then frozen or packaged in film-covered trays.

1. FOOD PACKAGING: A GROWING TREND
The demand for packaged food has been growing steadily over the last decade and more. Need for
convenience, hygiene considerations and influx of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook options, driven by
changing lifestyles, growing incomes and increasing mobility are driving this demand. More and
more consumers now prefer packaged edible oil, food grains, milk, snacks, mithai, etc. over the
traditionally popular loose products.
The pandemic has only added to the situation, causing the market to boom further.
Today, supermarkets and restaurants too are opting for packaged staples, pre-packaged salads and
cut vegetables, etc. Many food sellers are shifting to selling pre-made meals that are then frozen or
packaged in film-covered trays.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FOOD PACKAGING MACHINE
Needless to say, you must go for the food packaging machine that suits your business requirement
the best, there are some basic criteria to consider.
Size and weight of the machine: The space you have for the machine and its operators plays an
important role when selecting your food packaging machine. Size and weight of the machine should
suit your facility.
Ease of operation: Keep in mind the skills and aptitude of your staff who are going to operate the
machine. Go for a food packaging machine that your operators can handle easily, or can be easily
trained to operate.
Cost of running & maintenance: Find out the average cost of running the machine you propose to
purchase. Regular use means it will require regular maintenance, so ask about annual maintenance
contracts. Sometimes, parts may need to be repaired or replaced. Be aware of such expenditures
when calculating investment cost and ROI.
Flexibility for growth/diverse products: While you will be buying the automated packaging machine
for a specific product, choose a machine that has the flexibility and versatility to package other
products too. With minimum adjustments and easy changeover. After all, you may expand your
product range in the near future, and your current packing machine should be capable of handling it.
Most Vertical Form Fill Seal Machines work flawlessly with various packaging products no matter
what the size, shape or content you put in the bags.

2. Reliability of the manufacturer: Be aware of the manufacturer's track record. You might even
contact other customers to find out their experience, and get first-hand information regarding
services and support.
LEADING FOOD PACKAGING SOLUTIONS INDIA
In India, Nichrome is a pioneer and leader in food packaging solutions. For over four decades,
Nichrome has designed and developed food packaging machines, filling systems and integrated
packaging solutions for packaging edible grains, pulses, powders, liquids, viscous and ready-to-eat
foods.
As top packaging machine manufacturer, Nichrome offers a range of machines and technologies for
practically every possible food application.
Main technologies offered by Nichrome:
• VFFS - high-speed, accurate vertical packaging machines for the widest range of liquids,
solids, powders & viscous
• HFFS - linear technology offering outstanding versatility for different products and diverse
pouch formats
• VFFS Multilane–sachet filling machines, generally used for smaller pouch sizes and sachet
packaging, popular in the hospitality & travel industries
• PFS (Pick-Fill-Seal) - Rotary technology, preferred for packing ready-to-eat foods in
innovative pouch formats
• Preformed Tray Sealing - Italian technology for packing ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook
foods in protective modified atmosphere (MAP)
• Tin Filling - PLC-controlled line for packing powders, sugar, rice, dry fruits, candies, pan
masala, etc. in a variety of tin sizes
Main food applications served by Nichrome:
• Milk and liquids - Nichrome's Filpack Servo 12K is India's fastest milk packaging machine
/liquid packaging machine
• Oil and viscous - Nichrome's Filpack Servo SMD offers innovative, high-speed packing in 3-
side seal pillow pouches
• Sugar - Nichrome offers multiple machines to sugar pack in quantities up to 10 Kgs
• Salt - Machines with anti-corrosive construction and minimum moving parts designed
specifically for salt packaging
• Snacks - A range of machines for different snacks. Wing 200 E-line is designed especially for
start-ups & SMEs
• Powders - Nichrome's Maxima 400 is the fastest powder packaging machine for ground
spices, soup mixes, pre-mix powders, dairy whitener, etc.
• Grains and pulses - Nichrome's Excel Plus series has a solution for practically every food
grain and pulse
• Tea & coffee - From small sachets to bulk packs, Nichrome's range of tea packaging and
coffee packaging machines can handle it all
• RTE/RTC - Nichrome's PFS, with special RTE fillers and rotary filling & sealing technology, is
the ideal RTE packaging machine for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods
CONCLUSION
Whether you are a large MNC with a range of food products or a snack producing startup; a dairy
looking to package the raw milk collected or a hotel introducing ready meals; a supermarket selling
cut vegetables & fruits or an edible oil factory – trust Nichrome to provide the most efficient and
cost-effective packaging solutions India.
Highly reputed amongst automatic filling machine manufacturers, Nichrome assures innovative
designs and customisation, high quality manufacturing, reliable spares & service support, and
dedicated partnering from concept to commissioning.