Lines for the production of paper packaging: equipment, types and features of procurement from China

The transition of business to environmentally friendly types of packaging is gradually changing the market for packaging production. Paper bags, boxes, glasses, containers and other products are in demand in retail, catering, delivery and industry.

For an entrepreneur, launching their own production of paper packaging can be more interesting than buying finished products: it becomes possible to control the cost, produce packaging for a specific customer and quickly change the design.

China remains one of the largest manufacturers of equipment for the packaging industry. Here you can find both separate machines for small production, and automatic lines that combine several operations.

We will analyze which lines are most in demand today, what equipment will be needed for different types of products and what is important to consider when purchasing.

Why the paper packaging market continues to grow

Paper packaging is used in a variety of fields.

Demand is influenced by:

• development of food delivery;
• the growth of online commerce;
• expansion of public catering networks;
• Transition of business to disposable paper containers;
• the need of companies for branded packaging;
• development of food production;
• Interest in recyclable materials.

Personalization is particularly attractive for businesses. On the packaging can be applied logo, brand colors, advertising information and other graphics.

As a result, one manufacturer can work with several segments at once: restaurants, shops, coffee shops, product manufacturers and advertising agencies.

What types of paper packaging can be produced

The choice of equipment depends on the final product.

The most common directions are:

• paper bags;
• cardboard boxes;
• corrugated packaging;
• paper glasses;
• food containers;
• paper plates;
• fast food packaging;
• pen-packs;
• gift packaging;
• envelopes;
• paper trays.

There is no universal production line for all these products.

For example, equipment for paper bags is not suitable for making glasses. Therefore, first it is necessary to determine the range and volume of production, and only then choose the machines.

Which lines are most in demand

Lines for the production of paper bags

This is one of the most popular destinations.

The equipment allows you to produce packages of different sizes and designs.

Depending on the configuration, the line can perform:

• formation of a paper cloth;
• seal;
• glue application;
• formation of a package;
• felling
• installation of handles;
• folding;
• packaging of finished products.

Packages can be used in shops, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and delivery services.

For a small enterprise, compact automatic lines are interesting, while large enterprises need high-speed complexes.

Lines for the production of paper glasses

Paper cups are in demand in coffee shops, quick-service restaurants, drink vending machines and delivery services.

The production line forms a glass from the workpiece, applies the necessary connections and forms the bottom.

For food packaging, the quality of the material and the safety of the coatings used are especially important.

If the glass is intended for hot drinks, it is necessary to take into account the resistance of the material to temperature and moisture.

Lines for the production of cardboard boxes

Cardboard packaging is used in e-commerce, food manufacturing, household appliances, cosmetics and other industries.

Modern lines may include:

• printing equipment;
• carved;
• legging;
• folding
• gluing;
• automatic laying.

For large-scale production, it is advantageous to combine several operations into one automated line.

Lines for corrugated cardboard production

Corrugated cardboard is used mainly for transport and consumer packaging.

The production line may include equipment for forming a corrugated layer, applying glue, connecting to flat sheets and subsequent processing.

This is already a larger project that requires significant investment and suitable premises.

What the production line consists of

The configuration depends on the product, but a standard kit may include several basic types of equipment.

Equipment for material preparation

Depending on the technology, rolled paper or sheet cardboard is used.

At this stage, unwinders, feeding devices, cutting machines and other auxiliary equipment can be used.

Printing equipment

If the packaging is to be branded, a printing module will be required.

Flexographic, offset and other printing technologies are used for different tasks.

The number of colors and image quality requirements directly affect the cost of equipment.

Carving and cutting machines

They form blanks of the necessary form.

Cutting accuracy is important: even a small deviation can lead to problems in subsequent stages.

False and bonding machines

They are used to form the finished packaging.

Automation of these operations can significantly increase productivity and reduce the amount of manual labor.

Management system

Modern lines are equipped with industrial controllers, touch panels and parameter control systems.

For large-scale production, the possibility of remote diagnosis and transmission of equipment data is useful.

Who buys lines for the production of paper packaging

The main customers are:

• packaging companies;
• printing presses;
• food producers;
• restaurants;
• fast food chains;
• manufacturers of confectionery products;
• online shops;
• advertising and production companies;
• large trading networks;
• disposable utensils.

Also, the equipment is in demand among entrepreneurs who want to open their own production of packaging to order.

Our partners and specialists will help you find, inspect, order and deliver paper packaging production lines from China.

The application can be submitted through The feedback window on the blog.

What to Consider When Choosing a Line

The main mistake when buying is to choose equipment only according to the declared performance.

Consideration should be given to:

• type of products produced;
• package sizes;
• thickness of paper or cardboard;
• material density;
• productivity;
• line speed;
• number of printing colors;
• precision of cutting;
• method of applying glue;
• degree of automation;
• power consumption;
• size of equipment;
• premises requirements;
• availability of a quality control system;
• availability of spare parts.

It is especially important to identify real productivity.

Thousands of products per hour claimed by the manufacturer do not always mean the same amount of finished products in your factory. Speed depends on the material, the size of the package, the complexity of the design and the qualification of the personnel.

Why you can’t choose equipment only for the price

The cost of the line can vary greatly even with the external similarity of the equipment.

The price is affected by:

• level of automation;
• quality of components;
• power;
• productivity;
• management system;
• type of printing;
• the number of working modules;
• build quality.

Too cheap equipment may require frequent repairs, manual tuning and constant operator involvement.

For a production that operates in multiple shifts, the reliability of equipment is often more important than the initial savings.

It is better to compare not only the price of the machine, but also cost of ownership for several years.

How to Calculate Productivity

Before buying, it is necessary to determine the estimated volume of orders.

Let’s say that production is required to produce 500 thousand packages per month.

Then it is necessary to consider:

• number of working shifts;
• duration of the shift;
• adjustment time;
• scheduled maintenance;
• percentage of marriage;
• Downtime.

If a line theoretically produces 10,000 packets per hour, this does not mean that it will be possible to produce the corresponding amount of finished products in one shift.

It is better to use not the passport, but Real productivity with technological downtime.

What raw materials will be needed

Different types of paper and cardboard are used for production.

Depending on the products can be applied:

• Kraft paper;
• coated paper;
• cardboard;
• corrugated cardboard;
• paper with a protective coating;
• special food supplies.

If the packaging comes into contact with food, raw material requirements become particularly important.

It is necessary to check the origin of the material, its characteristics and documents confirming the possibility of use for its intended purpose.

Raw materials also significantly affect the cost of finished products. Therefore, before buying a line, it is advisable to find several paper suppliers in advance and get real commercial offers.

Features of production of food packaging

Food packaging requires increased attention to materials and technology.

Important:

• safety of raw materials;
• quality of paint;
• composition of adhesive materials;
• availability of necessary documents;
• resistance to moisture and fat;
• the permissible temperature range.

Normal paper packaging cannot be automatically considered suitable for food contact.

If it is planned to produce glasses, food boxes or other food containers, the requirements should be studied at the stage of selection of equipment and raw materials.

Features of import of equipment from China

When purchasing a production line, the full cost of the project must be considered.

In addition to the price of equipment are taken into account:

• delivery in China;
• international transportation;
• insurance;
• customs clearance;
• certification;
• delivery to the enterprise;
• Editing;
• commissioning;
• training of employees;
• spare parts.

A large line can be supplied in parts, so it is necessary to determine in advance who is responsible for installation and launch.

For complex equipment, it is advisable to order a head installation or the presence of a manufacturer's specialist during installation.

Checking the manufacturer before ordering

In the Chinese market there are companies with very different levels of production.

Before concluding the contract, it is desirable to check:

• experience of the manufacturer;
• own factory;
• model range;
• export to other countries;
• customer reviews;
• technical documentation;
• guarantee;
• availability of a service department;
• availability of components.

It is useful to request video work of similar line and contacts of enterprises that already use equipment.

For large purchases, it is recommended to conduct an inspection before shipment.

Specialists check the configuration, marking, appearance, operation of individual units and compliance of equipment with the technical task.

What mistakes buyers often make

Buying a line without a clear range

You can’t buy equipment first and then decide what to make.

First the assortment is formed, then the technology is selected.

Incorrect assessment of raw materials

Even a good line will not provide the desired quality if the wrong paper or cardboard is used.

Ignoring resetting

If a company produces dozens of different packaging sizes, format change time becomes an important factor in productivity.

Underestimation of energy consumption

An automatic line can consume significant power. Before buying it is necessary to check the capacity of the company for electricity supply.

Lack of spare parts

For uninterrupted operation, it is desirable to purchase the most popular consumables and spare elements in advance.

Lack of a market

Even the modern line does not guarantee a profit.

Before the start of production, it is desirable to have preliminary agreements with potential customers.

How to organize production from scratch

For a new enterprise, it is optimal to move in stages.

First stage - market analysis.

The main buyers, competitors, demanded types of packaging and prices are determined.

Second phase - product selection.

For example, you can start with paper bags for shops or packaging for restaurants.

Third stage - Performance calculation.

Determine the required volume of output and the number of shifts.

Phase four - selection of equipment.

After that, a line is selected for a specific technology.

Phase five - Calculation of the full cost of the project.

Equipment, delivery, installation, raw materials, personnel and working capital are considered.

Stage six - testing.

Before mass launch, it is necessary to check the quality of products on real raw materials.

Prospects for the paper packaging market

In the coming years, demand for paper packaging will be supported by the development of e-commerce, food delivery and food production.

An additional factor is the interest of companies in reducing the use of certain types of plastic packaging.

At the same time, the production technology itself is developing.

We can expect:

• increasing automation;
• increasing the speed of lines;
• development of digital printing;
• automatic quality control;
• robotization of packaging operations;
• more flexible adjustment;
• development of equipment for small series;
• expanding the range of environmentally friendly materials.

The combination of automation and personalization is especially interesting for manufacturers: one line can produce different packaging formats in small batches for specific customers.

Outcomes

Lines for the production of paper packaging allow you to create the production of demanded products for trade, catering, delivery and industry.

Chinese manufacturers offer a wide range of equipment – from compact machines for small enterprises to fully automated production complexes.

When choosing, it is important to take into account not only performance and price, but also the type of product, the characteristics of raw materials, the possibility of adjustment, energy consumption, service and the availability of spare parts.

Special attention should be paid to food packaging: here the requirements for materials, paints and adhesives are much higher.

With a competent calculation of the market, the correct selection of equipment and a reliable supply channel, the production of paper packaging can become a promising direction for a new or existing enterprise.