Washing-up liquid, laundry detergent, degreaser, disinfectant or floor cleaner: there are many different formulations, and their packaging requirements can vary significantly.

Yet manufacturers are often faced with the same question: how can you efficiently fill, cap and label your products while maintaining consistent packaging that is suited to your needs?

Choosing a packaging machine does not depend solely on price or production speed. Product viscosity, foaming behaviour, container type, closure used, filling volume and the desired level of automation are all parameters that need to be taken into account.

Why does packaging detergents require particular attention?

Cleaning products come in a wide variety of formulations. A very fluid window cleaner does not behave in the same way as a more viscous laundry detergent or cleaning gel… This difference has a direct impact on filling: the dosing technology must be adapted to the product.

There are also constraints relating to the container. A manufacturer may package its products in small bottles, larger bottles, jerry cans or containers of different formats. Some products also use specific closures, such as child-resistant closures, closures with pouring spouts or spray systems…

Packaging must therefore be considered as a complete process:

• container feeding;
• dosing and filling;
• cap feeding;
• capping;
• labelling;
• marking;
• format change management.

Filling detergents: adapting the dosing system to the product

A very fluid product may require a different approach from a more viscous product. Foaming must also be taken into account during the filling process.

The choice of dosing system and number of filling nozzles should be made according to the product being packaged and the production objectives.

Our K-Net is a semi-automatic filling machine that can be configured with different dosing systems and can optionally be equipped with a capping system. This configuration can be particularly interesting for a manufacturer looking to progressively automate its packaging process without immediately setting up a complete line.

For higher production requirements, we also offer the K-Net Auto, as well as the K-Line S, which has the advantage of being enclosed.

How do you choose a filling machine for cleaning products?

It is preferable not to choose a filling machine based solely on production speed. Several criteria should be assessed beforehand.

1. The nature of the product

The viscosity and behaviour of the product during dosing directly influence the choice of filling technology (peristaltic dosing, electromagnetic or mass flowmeter, etc.).

2. The filling volume

A small bottle and a jerry can containing several litres obviously do not present the same packaging requirements, whether in terms of accuracy or flow rate.

3. Production volume

A small-scale production operation may benefit from a semi-automatic machine. As production volumes increase, an automatic filling machine becomes more relevant.

4. Expected business development

It is also useful to anticipate future product references and any potential increase in production volumes. A packaging solution that can support the company’s development is a genuine advantage.

Capping and screw capping: filling and closure should not be considered separately

Once the product has been dosed, the container must be properly closed. This operation may seem secondary, but it has a direct impact on the organisation of the packaging line.

The choice of solution depends in particular on the type of closure. A smooth cap, ribbed cap, dropper cap or closure with a dispensing system may not necessarily require the same technology.

Our VS 400 is an automatic screw capping module designed for different types of cylindrical caps. It can be integrated into machines such as the K-Net Auto or K-Line S, as well as into an E-Fill monobloc. This integration capability is particularly useful when the aim is to gradually build a consistent packaging line by combining filling, screw capping and labelling.

For packaging your chemical products, and more specifically for the screw capping stage, we also offer the VS 2000, an automatic screw capping machine with automatic cap feeding. This versatile capping machine can handle a wide range of caps from Ø20 mm to 75 mm. Manufactured by CDA, this automatic screw capping machine is designed to automatically orient and feed caps onto containers before screwing them into place.

Labelling cleaning products: adapting the machine to the container

Labelling is the final stage of primary packaging. Cleaning products may be packaged in cylindrical, rectangular, square or oval containers. The labelling machine must therefore be selected according to the shape of the container and the number of labels to be applied.

For small-scale production involving cylindrical containers, our Ninette Auto is an ideal semi-automatic labelling solution.

For square, rectangular or oval containers, our Ninon Side is an automatic solution designed for these different formats. It is particularly well suited to applications such as liquid laundry detergent, washing-up liquid and chemical jerry cans.

The 5 questions to ask before automating your packaging process

Before choosing a filling machine, screw capping machine or labelling machine, we recommend precisely defining your requirements.

1. How does the product behave during filling?

Is it fluid, viscous or foaming?

2. Which containers are used?

Bottles, larger bottles, jerry cans or specific formats?

3. Which closure needs to be fitted?

Screw cap, closure with a dispensing system, spray or another type of closure?

4. What are your production volumes?

A few hundred containers or continuous automated production?

5. How will the product range evolve?

Will new formats or products need to be incorporated in the medium term?

The answers to these questions make it possible to determine more precisely the appropriate level of automation and the technologies to prioritise.

Efficient packaging starts with analysing the product

There is no universal solution for packaging cleaning products. On the contrary, the wide variety of formulations and containers means that equipment must be adapted to each project.

We can therefore support a company that simply wants to automate its filling process, as well as study an installation incorporating filling, capping and labelling.

Our experience in cleaning product packaging enables us to work with different production levels and products with varying behaviours. The objective always remains the same: to find a solution that is consistent with the product, container, production volume and the company’s development prospects.

Would you like to automate the packaging of your cleaning products or detergents? Contact our experts today! We can work with you to study a suitable solution for filling, screw capping, capping and labelling.

FAQ: Packaging cleaning products and detergents

Which filling machine should you choose for packaging detergent?

The choice depends in particular on the detergent’s viscosity, its behaviour during filling, the filling volume, the container and the required production level. A solution such as the K-Net may be suitable for some small and medium-sized production operations, while an automatic filling machine such as the K-Line S may be considered for higher production volumes.

How can foaming products be filled automatically?

The dosing technology, nozzle configuration and filling parameters all influence the behaviour of the product during this operation. Adjustments must be made to ensure an accurate filling volume.

Can the screw capping of household cleaning products be automated?

Yes. For example, the VS 2000 can automate the placement of caps onto containers and then screw them into place.

Which labelling machine should you choose for detergent jerry cans?

The shape and dimensions of the jerry can must be taken into account, as well as the number and positioning of the labels. A solution such as the Ninon Side is specifically designed for the automatic labelling of square, rectangular or oval containers.

Does a small business need to invest in a complete packaging line?

Not necessarily. A small business can start by automating a single operation, such as filling or labelling, and then progressively expand its installation according to changes in production volumes and its product range.

Can filling, screw capping and labelling be combined?

Yes. Depending on the product, container and production objectives, these different operations can be combined within a packaging line.