Why is ice cream usually packaged with film rolls?

Summer is here, and I love eating ice cream! But do you know how ice cream is packaged? The material used is called film rolls.

That's because film rolls are typically suited for large-scale food factories and mass production.

Advantages of Using Film Rolls for Ice Cream Packaging

1. Low Cost

Using film rolls instead of pre-made bags significantly reduces costs. The process is fully automated, keeping labor costs very low. The film is precisely cut to the ice cream's size on the machine, minimizing material waste. Furthermore, storage and transportation costs are low because the rolls are tightly wound around a core, maximizing space efficiency compared to bulky pre-made bags.

2. Adapts to High-Speed Automated Production

Modern ice cream production lines are extremely fast, capable of producing hundreds or even thousands of units per minute.

Continuous Feeding: Film rolls are mounted on the packaging machine, allowing for uninterrupted continuous feeding that perfectly matches the high-speed production line.

Automated Process: The machine automatically performs a series of actions: feeding the film, forming it, filling (or wrapping), and sealing/cutting. Using pre-made bags would require additional steps like picking, opening, and placing them, which is much slower and cannot meet high-volume demands.

3. Ensures Hygiene and Seal Integrity

Reduces Contamination: The entire process—from unwinding the film to forming the finished package—occurs within enclosed machine channels. This greatly reduces the risk of human contact and environmental contamination, meeting strict food safety hygiene standards.

On-Site Bag Making with Excellent Seals: The machine uses heat sealing to form and seal the package in one go. This three- or four-side sealing process creates strong, airtight seams that effectively prevent the ice cream from melting, deforming, or becoming contaminated during storage and transport.

4. Excellent Printing and Display Effects

High-Quality Printing: Film rolls can be printed using techniques like gravure printing, resulting in vibrant colors and sharp graphics that attract consumers' attention.

High Adaptability: Whether it's simple twist wrapping (for ice pops), pillow packaging (for ice cream bars), or three-side/four-side seal bags, different packaging machines and film rolls can achieve it.

5. High Functionality

Ice cream packaging requires specific properties, which film rolls can provide:

Barrier Properties: Multi-layer co-extruded composite films can be used, incorporating oxygen and moisture vapor barriers. This effectively prevents freezer burn (sublimation) and fat oxidation, preserving the ice cream's optimal flavor and texture.

Low-Temperature Resistance: Specialty packaging films remain flexible and won't become brittle in freezing environments.