Modified Atmosphere
We sustain your future
Valves & liners
Quality packaging and caps
Sensor & Monitoring
Never waste another bag
Everything you need to know about our valves
We believe that one shall never waste. That’s why we strive to help you gain full control of your packaging and content by offering best in class valves and liners.
We offer valves in three categories:
MA Valve 125
Filtertap
Screwcap
Every aspect, material, technique and product used in Modified Atmosphere Packaging is equally important. If one isn’t produced to fit to a tee, it will ultimately affect the production process, and the product being packaged itself.
That’s why we are continuously innovating our existing product lines, to help you speed up processes, but also keep your products safe in the most sustainable way possible.
One of the products we take great pride in, are our own valves. On this page, you’ll learn everything there is to know about valves used in Modified Atmosphere Packaging, our MA 125 Valve, Sensor Valve, and how to use it.
What’s the purpose of a valve in Modified Atmosphere Packaging?
A reliable valve is the key to a successful preservation process. Valves are mounted in the liner of the big bag/FIBC. They give a secure airtight connection between the environment inside the bag and the Vacuum and Gas Injection Machine. Additionally, they’re equipped with a filter, which prevents the product from being sucked out of the bag or dust particles entering the bulk product. This also ensures that products stay in the liner and flushing gasses can move in and out of the liner.
Valves are a must-use used when packaging powders, seeds, granulates, and similar products under a controlled atmosphere and atmospheric pressure.
Valves come in different shapes: a Screw Cap, Filtertap and a Flat Valve are amongst the possibilities. Our latest development is the flat MA Valve 125 which gives all kind of advantages compared with the traditional tube-valves.
''With Somsix, we aim to increase the positive impact of our solutions by making MAP more accessible. Our goal? Less food waste and cleaner supply chains.’’
Cleanlines production facility according to the EN ISO 14644 system and Classification ISO 7
Our valves are suitable for high demanding industries. Hygienic production in certified clean rooms is where it starts, minimizing risks of contamination. All of our Valves are assembled in clean room production according to reg. (EU) no. 10/2011 to meet the high standards in the food and pharmaceutical industry. All test reports are available and can be provided on demand.
Introducing our own MA Valve 125
In 2021, Somsix released the new MA Valve 125. This valve was designed with the production process in mind: how can we make sure this goes smoother, faster and safer and gives businesses more possibilities for optimization?
The benefits of the MA Valve 125 for your production process
Let's look at some of the practical benefits the MA Valve 125 will give you:
- Fool-proof connection: only 90 degrees or one quarter turn needed to attach to the V-G machine
- Fast Processing – optimal surface
- Short Processing times
- Single or multiple flushes can be done
- Lower energy needed
Up to 40% shorter process times
Thanks to the large surface and construction design, we’ve established forty percent shorter process times. For example, bags with corn can now be filled in three minutes instead of five.
Safer than traditional valves
With the classic needle measurement, the needle gets in direct contact with the product by sticking in the liner and septum. Increasing the risk of contamination and damaging the liner. The new MA valve allows you to measure through the soft TPE membrane. This makes the process more secure than traditional needle measurements. It also minimizes the risk of contamination, simply because there is less exposure time, and it helps keep the liner intact.
More space for bags
Due to its super flat design, the valve can be easily integrated into the production of the FIBC and up to 25% more bags can be stacked on a pallet compared to bags with filter tubes.
Less risk of damage
The new MA Valve is suitable for high pressures and there is less risk of filter damage during packaging or transport compared to filter tubes.
Low oxygen levels: <1% rest-oxygen
We have excellent results using this valve in combination with our Somsix equipment. We are able to keep the atmosphere in bags under one percent rest-oxygen.
Easy to use
Our new MA Valve 125 can easily be opened and closed by hand, with a simple 90-degrees turn.
Smart design
Due to the super flat design it can be easily integrated in the production of the FIBC and is easily connected to the vacuum head.
Hermetic seal
Its double ring and soft TPE give you the security of a hermetic seal.
Somsix MA Valve 125 with optional Sensor Cap
In 2022, we released the Somsix Sensor Cap. This cap is equipped with different sensors and wireless communication, so you no longer need to measure with a needle through the cap. The chip reads all the data you need, which is real-time visible in an online dashboard.
Another benefit of this Sensor Cap is that measurements are done automatically every six, twelve or twenty-four hours, meaning total control without manual labor.
The Sensor Valve comes with the Sensor Starter Kit to set you up for success. The Starter Kit provides an inside look into the system/platform as it includes 10 calibrated sensors and a LoRa gateway.
How to use the Sensor Cap?
- After applying a modified atmosphere to your FIBC detach the vacuum head from the valve and close it.
- Remove the previous cap from the valve and attach the sensor cap with a simple 90-degree turn. The switch activates and the sensor automatically turns on.
- The visible LED starts blinking while the sensor attempts to connect to a LoRa gateway. This connection routine can take up to 30 seconds.
- If the sensor was unable to find a gateway, the LED will start blinking red. Make sure your LoRa gateway is turned on and is ready for connection. Then repeat the sensor valve connection routine.
- Once connected, the sensor reads the oxygen concentration, and the data is sent to the Somsix portal through the LoRa gateway via 4G/LTE. LoRa is a long-range communication protocol that allows the sensor to transmit the measured data with low-power consumption.
The Somsix Portal
Our portal will give you access to various dashboards and settings. To open available dashboards, click on the systems tab, followed by “Dashboards”. The sensors are pre-set to graph data onto a dashboard. The user can then click on the dashboard’s name in use to go to the main data page.
Automatic measurements
While the sensor is placed on the valve, it will enter a deep sleep state, preserving energy in the battery and extending its lifetime.
The sensor reactivates every 6 hours to perform a new oxygen measurement and transmit the data to the Somsix portal.
Manual measurements and needle probes
To trigger a manual measurement simply place a magnet over the designated spot until the LED lights up. To trigger a calibration measurement, the magnet must be held over the designated spot for at least 10 seconds, until the LED starts blinking at a faster pace.
There is also the possibility to measure the oxygen environment through the integrated spot with a conventional needle probe.
Order sensors and try
Combining our valves with our state-of-the-art liners
Most liners are made out of PE, eventually combined with PA and AL. Big Bag liners are an extra layer of protection placed within the FIBC. It serves as:
- A barrier to close up the tiny holes in the woven polypropylene
- Keep product from falling out
- Keep moisture from coming in
- Protect against pests and contamination
- Antistatic and chemical resistance
What type of liner is right for me?
Depending on the product that will be packaged, the liners are placed separately in the bag, or they are directly attached to the FIBC - either by sewing or glueing them.
Conductive liners
Made from carbon-loaded polyethylene, these create an obvious path for static to escape.
Aluminum liners
These types of liners are used when products specifically require a leak-proof bag.
Anti-static dissipative liners
Made for situations where static control is crucial. Suitable for cleanrooms and research labs.
OPP metalized liners
Provides an ultra-high barrier with maximum protection for oxygen- and moisture-sensitive products.
EVOH liners
Consisting of different layers, these are perfect as leak-proof bags. Popular in the food industry, especially with products with strong smells.
Sustainability and liners
Traditional Loose liners have an additional advantage of being reusable, although liners that contain AL or PA can’t be recycled. For this, we created a special type of liner.
By replacing the PA and ALU by special PE types, we have created liners that have all the characteristics our clients are looking for, but can be recycled. Tests show that protection levels are 5 to 8 times better than with the standard barrier liners.
Want to combine the best of our products to take care of your product? Reach out to our team for a tailored solution.
FAQs about smart packaging innovations
How can you measure Modified Atmosphere levels inside the packaging?
The challenge of Modified Atmosphere Packaging is keeping the gas levels inside the packaging balanced and untouched for as long as possible. Measuring with a needle, therefore, isn't accurate, and means a bag goes to waste. Somsix Sensors allow for non-invasive, remote and more accurate measurements, as often as you’d like.
How do smart packaging solutions contribute to sustainability?
Smart packaging technology like the Somsix Sensors minimize waste: no bags have to be thrown after measurements and there is less chance of contamination or pests. Plus enables us to better cater to demand, decreasing over production and better allocation of resources.
How can we make packaging more sustainable?
With sustainable packaging solutions like the somsix sensors, we look at chances for sustainability throughout the entire supply chain—not just in production and sales. Modified Atmosphere and Somsix sensors decrease waste by minimizing pests and contamination, and give products longer shelf lives.