Among the key areas of interest that emerged most strongly following interpack 2026, vacuum packaging played a central role. Not as a generic solution, but as a technical response to very specific needs: protecting the product, reducing residual air, creating more compact bags, improving pallet stability, and making the behavior of the packaging more predictable during logistics.
For VAI, the topic of vacuum packaging is directly linked to industrial vertical packaging and the handling of actual products: dry foods, granular products, powders, dried fruits, legumes, rice, grains, and materials that require control over bag shape, sealing, film, and final stability.
After the trade show, the vacuum packaging should be evaluated on the actual product
Following interpack 2026, vacuum packaging emerged as one of the most sought-after topics because it addresses practical challenges: residual air, oxidation, unstable bags, deformation, excessive volume, and palletizing difficulties. However, a proper assessment must start with the actual product, as density, particle size, moisture content, fragility, and behavior under compression all affect the final result.
The point isn’t simply to ask whether a production line can vacuum-pack. The more useful question is: what level of vacuum is actually needed to produce a stable, properly sealed bag that is compatible with the customer’s logistics?
Granular products, flours, grains, and dried fruits do not all react the same way to the removal of air. Some materials compact easily, others trap air between their particles, and still others are prone to deformation or changes in volume after sealing.
For this reason, in the VAI method, vacuum is not treated as an isolated function of the machine. It is a process variable that must interact with feeding, dosing, film, bag size, sealing, and logistical objectives.
Why vacuum packaging is so important: protection, shape, and logistics
Feedback received after the trade show confirms a clear need: many companies are not just looking for a “more attractive” bag, but for packaging that is more stable, easier to manage, and better suited to the product’s transportation, storage, and shelf life.
Vacuum packing can be particularly helpful when the goal is:
- reduce the residual air in the bag, especially with products that tend to trap oxygen or have internal voids;
- limit oxidation in sensitive dry foods, such as dried fruits, legumes, grains, or products containing oils;
- create a more compact bale, which improves stability, handling, and palletizing;
- improve the uniformity of the format by reducing bulges, lateral distortions, and instability between layers;
- Optimize logistics space when volume, stackability, and transportation affect the overall cost of the line.
In this sense, VAI packaging solutions never separate the machine from the final result. An effective vacuum bag must be evaluated based on what happens after filling: seal integrity, shape, stability, handling, and performance on the pallet.
Technical factors to consider before choosing a vacuum solution
Vacuum packaging is effective only if it is designed to accommodate the product’s characteristics. The same technology can yield different results depending on bulk density, particle size, flowability, product shape, film type, and residual pressure.
There are four main issues to address after a trade show.
Product behavior. Some materials settle well under vacuum, while others tend to collapse unevenly or trap air between the particles. Testing with the actual product is crucial to prevent bag deformation or instability after sealing.
Choosing the film. The film must withstand the vacuum cycle, maintain the required barrier properties, and ensure a stable seal. Rigidity, elasticity, thickness, and sealability directly affect the final quality.
The quality of the seal. The vacuum loses its effectiveness if the seal does not hold over time. Temperature, pressure, contact time, and cleanliness of the sealing area must be appropriate for the material, product, and production rate.
The bag’s shape. A vacuum bag must not only seal properly; it must also retain its shape. Height, base, volume, and proportions all affect stackability, pallet stability, and transport.
When the project involves high-end products or sensitive foods, it may be helpful to consider dedicated machines such as the VS99 vacuum packaging or customized solutions such as the MV305, depending on the product and the desired format.
From a connection at the trade show to a test: how to turn interest into a technical evaluation
After interpack, the most productive step is not to collect more technical data sheets, but to turn your interest in vacuum packaging into a concrete evaluation. This means starting with actual samples, the intended film, target weight, desired format, and operational goals: shelf life, compactness, pallet stability, volume reduction, or improvement in perceived quality.
A well-designed test allows you to verify:
- how much air the product holds before it is sealed;
- how it reacts to vacuum compression;
- if the film retains its shape and barrier properties;
- if the weld remains stable after the cycle;
- whether the finished bag is suitable for palletizing and transport.
For VAI, this phase is part of the standard workflow: product analysis, format evaluation, testing with actual materials, parameter adjustment, and verification of the final result. Only in this way does the vacuum packaging solution evolve from a concept that generated interest at the trade show into a practical technical solution that can be implemented on the production line.
When an existing machine is still in good working order, the assessment may also include upgrades or technical support, spare parts, and retrofitting. In other cases, however, the project requires a new configuration, designed around the product and production goals.
To determine whether vacuum packaging is suitable for your product, the most useful comparison starts with samples, film types, weight, and the desired format. You can contact the VAI team to schedule a technical assessment based on your specific needs.
