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“Doing the best" is the aim at the core of Pascual's activity. It means asking yourself if everything possible has been done or if there is still room for improvement. The attention to the wellbeing of the planet pushes Pascual to continuous innovation and the use of increasingly sustainable solutions within its production plants, which are equipped with the latest generation machinery, such as the SMI combined packaging machine of the CM FP range.

Everything comes from the earth and is done for the good of the earth In Aranda de Duero, in the Spanish province of Burgos, everything revolves around the concepts of environment, culture, tradition and wellbeing. In the heart of this fascinating territory of northern Spain, lies the headquarters of the Pascual company, a reference point in the food sector, which within the concept of "doing the best," contains all its history, made of passion, tradition, quality and innovation. From 1969 to now, after more than 50 years of activity, the company continues to differentiate itself for wellbeing at 360°, because "doing the best" for the environment, people and animals becomes an act of love and responsibility towards the planet. The first Spanish company in the sector to bottle milk in cardboard cartons, since 1973 Pascual has revolutionised the way we have breakfast and has grown by always being at the table with consumers, offering them the best. For the packaging processes within its production lines, in Spain and around the world, Pascual has been collaborating with SMI for years. An example of such a partnership is represented by the recent supply of a combined packaging machine from the CM 800 FP range, installed at the Gurb plant in Barcelona, for the packaging of Pascual milk bottles, in wrap-around cardboard boxes and in tray + film and film only formats, with the use of 100% recycled shrink film.

The contribution to sustainability Pascual has taken a further step forward in its environmental sustainability goals. In 2020 it became the first company in Castilla y León – and the first dairy company in Spain – to register its direct and indirect emissions of CO2 at the Spanish Office for Climate Change (only 12% of companies do so). Pascual will further improve the recyclability and sustainability of containers for all its brands by using the new 'anchored' cap and adapts in advance to legislative changes that represent a real challenge for the packaging industry – the directive establishes that plastic bottles and cartons must contain at least 25% recycled plastic (a parameter that some brands such as Bezoya already reach, 100%). A further step forward in the field of sustainability and in the application of the concept of circularity was made with the use of 100% recycled shrink film, used for the packaging of Pascual milk bottles, in tray + film and film only, made by the SMI combined packaging machine installed at the Gurb plant. Pascual has given plastic a second life and, thanks to the use of recycled shrink film resource rather than virgin plastic, has been able to reduce the carbon footprint of the raw material. Pascual means history, tradition, culture and sustainable development This Spanish company is the testimony of the strength of passion and energy put in place for the wellbeing of the earth, animals and people. From these synergies, unique and quality products are produced that are packaged by the machines supplied by SMI, because "doing the best" also means pursuing continuous improvement in the solutions offered to consumers: new products, new taste combinations, new packaging solutions, new packaging. Pascual has been collaborating with SMI for years, for the packaging process of the production lines of Aranda de Duero in Burgos and Gurb in Barcelona as well as some plants abroad, such as that of San Juan del Rio in Mexico, where six SMI packaging machines are installed. At the Aranda de Duero plant in Burgos, Spain, there are currently four packaging machines supplied by SMI for secondary packaging, in particular, two combined machines of the CM range, a shrink wrapper of the SK range and a packaging machine of the MP range for packaging 0.15 litre, 0.2 litre, 0.25 litre and 0.5 litre containers in 2x2, 1x2 and 1x3 clusters. At the Gurb plant in Barcelona, Spain, the third combined SMI packaging machine of the CM range was recently supplied to Pascual; this is used for packaging 1.5 litre milk bottles in wrap-around cardboard boxes in 2x2 and 2x4 formats, and in 3x2 film-only bundles.

CM Ergon packer The ideal solution for every packaging need The choice to install a combined packaging machine of the CM range at the Gurb plant stems from the need to have a flexible machine able to meet the needs of a constantly evolving food market, which forces companies in the sector to adopt increasingly dynamic, competitive and flexible production processes. The frequent changes in consumer habits and preferences impose new competitive challenges and a great ability to adapt to the food & beverage industry, both with regard to the range of products to be offered and the packaging. The CM range does its best in packaging plants characterised by frequent changes in format or product, like the CM FP 800 model chosen by Pascual, that processes 1.5 litre PET milk bottles in wrap-around boxes and bundles in film only. Main advantages of SMI solution for Pascual All models of the CM range are designed to guarantee high levels of flexibility and versatility to the user. With the installation of just one single packaging machine, high-quality packaging can be produced in film only, tray + film, pad + film, tray only and cardboard boxes completely or partially closed. The CM is a versatile machine, able to switch quickly and easily from one type of production to another, and is the most suitable answer to intercept every new market demand, which also allows Pascual to manage the production process in an efficient, flexible and economical way. For instance, when the processing program involves packaging in tray or wrap-around boxes only, the heating tunnel and the film wrapping system are automatically deactivated by the machine control system. Other advantages include:

1. Possibility to pack a wide variety of containers at a maximum speed of 80 packs/minute;

2. System equipped with a heating tunnel with metal chain, which ensures a better splicing of the film below the package;

3. The tray+ film and film-only formats are made with the use of 100% recycled shrink film; it is an advantageous and eco-sustainable solution, which allows Pascual to give a second life to plastic and reduce the carbon footprint of the raw material;

4. The CM range is particularly suitable for bottling lines with frequent changes from one product to another or from one format to another and to easily adapt to the future needs related to the marketing strategies of food & beverage producers;

5. Great quality/price ratio;

6. High level of performance and reliability Find out more on SMI's website.