Taunton, MA Mar 26, 2026– As snack-size cheese formats continue to multiply across retail shelves, packaging lines are under increasing pressure to deliver higher speeds, tighter weight accuracy, and the flexibility to run growing SKU variety. At CheeseCon 2026, Harpak‑ULMA Packaging will demonstrate an integrated weigh‑to‑bag architecture designed to stabilize filling accuracy, reduce product giveaway, and simplify snack cheese production lines.

The company will exhibit in a 30 × 50 booth—an expansion from its previous 30 × 30 footprint—allowing additional equipment demonstrations and a broader look at integrated automation technologies built specifically for cheese processors. The expanded presence reflects continued growth in cheese consumption and snacking behavior. U.S. per‑capita cheese consumption reached a record 42.3 pounds in 2023, underscoring sustained category demand. At the same time, eating habits are shifting toward portable, protein‑rich snacks. Research shows 56% of consumers replace meals with snacks at least occasionally, while 76% report snacking as a regular eating behavior.

Integrated Multi‑Head Weigher and VFFS Architecture

A central highlight of the booth will be the first CheeseCon demonstration of a fully integrated Harpack-ULMA multi‑head weigher mounted above a vertical form‑fill‑seal (VFFS) bagger on an elevated platform. While multi‑head weighers and vertical baggers are commonly deployed independently, the configuration on display emphasizes the value of tightly integrated weighing‑to‑bagging architecture for snack cheese production.

Snackable cheese formats—such as cubes, shreds, and snack blends—introduce variability in product density, flow characteristics, and fill accuracy. When weighing and bagging operate as separate processes, variability is introduced. This can force processors to compensate by oversizing film bags or increasing product giveaway to maintain labeled weights. Integrating the multi‑head weigher directly with the VFFS bagger stabilizes the system and the entire fill‑to‑bag process -- while minimizing the need for compensatory packaging adjustments.

Operational advantages include:
• Higher weighing accuracy, reducing product giveaway
• Lower fill‑weight variability enabling tighter bag sizing
• Improved throughput stability at higher production speeds
• Compact vertical integration that simplifies line layout
• Reduced need for film oversizing caused by inconsistent fills

The vertical configuration also reduces product transfer distance, helping maintain product integrity for fragile formats such as diced or cubed cheese.

Managing Increasing SKU Complexity

As brands introduce new flavors, snack blends, and portion sizes, cheese processors are increasingly operating high‑mix production environments. Packaging systems must therefore support rapid changeovers while maintaining accuracy and throughput. At CheeseCon, Harpak‑ULMA will showcase equipment configurations designed to help processors run multiple cheese formats on shared packaging platforms, maintain consistent fill accuracy across varying product densities, and integrate weighing, bagging, and downstream automation into a streamlined production architecture.

Industry estimates place the U.S. cheese snacks market at approximately $24.3 billion, reflecting the continued expansion of portion‑controlled cheese formats. Consumer demand trends reinforce this momentum. Surveys show 61% of consumers actively seek high‑protein snacks, while 64.1% look for snacks perceived as “good for them,” fueling continued product innovation in portion‑controlled and mixed snack formats.

“Snack cheese formats are introducing new levels of variability on packaging lines,” said Mike Marchand, Sr Product Manager at Harpak‑ULMA Packaging. “Tightly integrating the multi‑head weigher with the vertical bagger helps processors stabilize fill accuracy, reduce giveaway, and run high‑mix snack formats much more efficiently. That integrated architecture is becoming essential as snack cheese continues to scale.”

Technical Presentation at CheeseCon

In addition to the expanded exhibit, Matt Tresp, Regional Sales Manager, will present the From Shreds to Snacks: Scaling Cheese Packaging Without Sacrificing Margins- detailing the operational challenges associated with scaling snack cheese packaging. The presentation will address:
• Managing fill variability in snack cheese formats
• Reducing film oversizing driven by inconsistent fills
• Improving throughput while maintaining weighing accuracy
• Packaging architectures that support increasing SKU variety

Visit Harpak‑ULMA at CheeseCon

Attendees can see these technologies firsthand at Booth 1601 during CheeseCon Expo 2026, April 15–17 in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information https://www.harpak-ulma.com/weighing-portioning-and-loading-equipment/ or call (508) 884-2500. Experience a live demonstration of packaging technologies at one of Harpak-ULMA's Customer Experience Centers in Boston, Atlanta, or Costa Mesa, Calif. Call (508) 884-2500 to make arrangements.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on 4th March in Søborg, Copenhagen, to mark the beginning of construction on Alfa Laval’s Food Application & Innovation Center, which will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and development.

The facility, located at the headquarters of Alfa Laval’s Food & Pharma businesses in the Danish capital, is set for completion in spring 2027 and will feature the full portfolio of Alfa Laval’s technologies, supporting the testing and development of solutions for both traditional as well as next-generation food production.

For Alfa Laval it will represent a key milestone on its journey to help address the growing challenge of feeding the world’s growing population, with the United Nations estimating that 70% more food will be needed to feed the world by 2050.

Johan Agrell, Strategic Business Development Manager, Food & Pharma Division, says the facility, which was first announced by Alfa Laval in January 2025, will become a place to develop pioneering ideas – including innovative biosolutions – together with customers and partners in the food value chain.

He says: “Innovation is what we do at Alfa Laval, and the Food Application & Innovation Center will be a world-leading facility in the heart of Copenhagen, a major investment that will see us building stronger bridges with customers and partners, from start-ups to global producers.

“Alfa Laval is proud to be walking the talk and establishing ourselves as part of the ecosystem that is looking to find resilient food solutions for meeting the global supply challenge, whether that is through traditional protein extraction or fermentation.”

The groundbreaking ceremony showcases the fact that the project has now moved decisively from planning into execution, with Danish construction and engineering contractor IBG appointed to build the facility, which will cover around 1,200 m2.

“This is an exciting moment and shows our commitment with a facility that will be comprehensive in terms of capabilities,” says Johan. “It will be a place where large corporates can develop and fine-tune processes with us, start-ups can establish proof of concept and scale up, and academic researchers from around the world can meet to develop and test new ideas.”

The new facility will build on and align with the success of Alfa Laval’s Innovation House, founded in Copenhagen seven years ago, where Alfa Laval interacts with start-ups and accelerates the creation and development of new business ideas through knowledge sharing and partnerships.

The initial focus of the Food Application & Innovation Center will be on protein processing as this is one of the most significant and immediate challenges facing the industry in terms of securing sufficient and nutritious food to feed the world in a way that minimizes impacts on the environment and local ecosystems. 

Alfa Laval’s ambition is to use the facility to tackle these challenges holistically, looking at how to improve conventional production methods as well as exploring new and emerging opportunities to drive enhanced yields while using less energy and water and ensuring that the recovery of resources in waste streams is maximized.

“This is the goal,” explains Johan. “Alfa Laval has been around for 140 years and with our range of technologies, solutions and competences we aim to be at the forefront of the drive to build a more resilient food system.”

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At Interpack 2026, Fortress Technology launches a compact, economical, automated checkweigher system. The Raptor Flex specifically helps food processors seeking immediate giveaway savings on packs weighing up to 4kg.

In Hall 11, Stand E30, the food safety specialist unveils the Raptor Flex. This new, cost-effective and compact checkweighing system can check the weight of packaged food applications, including confectionery, bakery products, cooked meats and nutrition bars.

Addressing a significant market need, the Raptor Flex delivers affordable yet precise automated checkweighing for SME food processors that don’t want to compromise on performance. A modular, standalone checkweigher for packaged products, the Raptor Flex is installed at the end of inspection lines to reduce product giveaway and ensure compliance with weight regulations.

One of the standout features of the Raptor Flex checkweigher is its fast delivery schedule. By offering a range of standard machine sizes and configurations, Fortress Technology can streamline production. Additionally, the entire system, including reporting and connectivity software, is all manufactured in-house.

“This quick turnaround helps food processors to promptly upgrade or adapt their quality control processes, supporting operational efficiency and responsiveness to market demands,” highlights product manager Matt Gidman.

Compact and made from robust stainless steel, the Raptor Flex can fit easily into existing HACCP inspection lines. Featuring two wipe-clean, lift-out conveyors, the Raptor Flex delivers high-speed weighing up to 200 ppm.

Flexible input/output (I/O) electronics support rapid installation and integration with Fortress Technology metal detector and x-ray systems. Additionally, the Raptor Flex can be programmed to provide trend feedback to automated upstream filling, portioning and packing systems.

Equipped with a 10.1-inch (25.5cm) color HMI touchscreen, the system supports intuitive operation and enhances overall operational efficiency. A top-mounted status beacon is visible from every angle to instantly alert production staff to operational issues. The clear presentation of live performance data, batch statistics and KPIs can support these investigations and identify upstream inefficiencies to ensure product quality is maintained.

Incorporating 500 pre-programmed product categories reduces set up and training times, while the secure multi-level password system prevents operators from overriding instructions. These features all minimize human errors which can cause production bottlenecks.

Batch reports can be collected by USB or automated using Contact 4.0 to enhance real-time traceability. Additionally, the Raptor Flex provides flexible options for networked data integration. Processors with more advanced connectivity needs can utilize optional OPC UA and Ethernet/IP Communication Adapters, supporting real-time data sharing across the entire production network.

For complete production flexibility, processors can select from three conveyor widths – 100mm, 200mm and 300mm – and multiple reject station options, including air blast, diverter paddles and kickers. To maintain the competitive price point, lift off covers are also optional.

“With its rapid lead time and adaptable configuration options, the Raptor Flex delivers an ideal solution for processors seeking to enhance their quality control measures while maintaining operational agility and meeting tight production deadlines,” concludes Matt.

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Interpack 2026, Hall 11, Stand E30.

Fortress Technology launches new compact, economical, automated checkweigher system. Delivering reliable weight verification with minimal complexity, the Raptor Flex weighs up to 4kg packaged products at 200ppm.

Reducing product giveaway and ensuring compliance with weight regulations, the Raptor Flex fits easily into existing HACCP inspection lines. Flexible input/output (I/O) electronics support rapid integration with existing inspection systems and can connect the checkweigher to packaging equipment for upstream trend feedback.

The Raptor Flex features two low maintenance lift out conveyors, user-friendly touchscreen and 500 pre-programmed product categories. Reject, conveyor widths and real-time data reporting options are customized to the application and production line configuration. Conveyor cover is optional. Modular design enables rapid delivery.

Sidel unveils SWING^® Evo, its next-generation tunnel pasteuriser that combines smart modular design with a breakthrough counterflow concept, setting a new benchmark for sustainability and performance in beverage production. 

Drawing on decades of industry expertise, Sidel’s SWING® Evo introduces an innovative counterflow concept and modular design, allowing beverage manufacturers to precisely control pasteurisation, water usage and energy consumption for each module.

This breakthrough sets a new benchmark for the sector, delivering substantial cost savings without compromising product quality or operational flexibility. Tailored specifically for beer producers, the system supports both glass and can packaging formats

“SWING^® Evo pushes the boundaries of sustainability, through introducing true modular efficiency,” said Andrea Solfa, Product Manager Tunnel and Site Leader at Sidel. “By ensuring that each module is autonomous and running the top and bottom decks in opposite directions, we have been able to create a pasteuriser that optimises every drop of water and kilowatt of energy with no trade-off on quality.”

Pioneering design for lower consumption

Thanks to its counterflow configuration and dedicated heat and water circuits, SWING^® Evo minimises heat dispersion and eliminates unnecessary circulation between tanks. Each module is independently controlled, allowing the system to adapt precisely to production needs.

This solution offers significant sustainability advantages for beverage producers transitioning their operations, achieving reductions of 10% in water consumption¹, 35% in electricity usage¹ and 10% in steam utilisation¹.

“Every aspect of the design was re-engineered for efficiency,” continued Solfa. “From the shorter piping path to the predictive control of cooling media, SWING^® Evo proves that less is more.” 

Preserved pasteurisation quality, enhanced flexibility

Building on Sidel’s renowned pasteurisation expertise, SWING^® Evo integrates the PRINCE X predictive control system, ensuring precise product treatment and eliminating under/over-pasteurisation risks. It automatically analyses product temperature evolution and adjusts spray conditions in real time, even during production downtimes or power interruptions. 

This intelligent control system also gives producers greater format flexibility, enabling optimal settings for a wide variety of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) and operating conditions including operation as a standalone cooler without additional devices or complexity.

Performance through simplicity

With its modular architecture, predictive intelligence and ergonomic design, SWING^® Evo delivers a new balance between sustainability performance and simplicity. Beverage producers can significantly reduce energy and water consumption, while maintaining consistent product quality across a wide range of SKUs and operating conditions.

Functional design at every stage of use

SWING^® Evo was designed to deliver maximum functionality and efficiency at every stage of its lifecycle, from line design to installation and daily operation.

Its compact and modular architecture makes it easy to integrate into new or even existing layouts, optimising the use of floor space and simplifying the conveyor path. The first industrial installation at Refresco, in Sulmona, Italy, confirmed these advantages; the pasteuriser was fully assembled and commissioned in just one week, thanks to its pre-assembled modules and streamlined design.

In day-to-day operations, SWING^® Evo is engineered for maximum functionality. Sliding lateral doors, full top access and tool-free maintenance ensure that all components, pumps, valves and probes are easy to reach, inspect and service. This accessibility, combined with the machine’s compact footprint, translates into faster interventions and safer, more comfortable operation for production teams. 

“SWING^® Evo is a striking illustration that innovation doesn’t always mean reinventing everything,” concludes Solfa. “Sometimes, the smartest solutions are those that make complexity simple and efficiency effortless.”

Find out more about Sidel’s pasteurising technology and how you can access this kind of support for your business on the