A Cold Seal machine (also known as a Cold Seal packaging machine) is a type of packaging equipment designed to seal materials without the application of heat. Instead of heat sealing, it uses pressure to bond two layers of special cold seal coating together. This coating is typically applied to paper, film, or foil during the material manufacturing process. When two coated surfaces meet and are pressed together, they instantly create a strong seal — no thermal energy is required.
how it works
- Pre-coated material – The film or paper has a cold seal adhesive applied during production. This adhesive is usually only activated under pressure, not heat.
- Material feeding – The roll of pre-coated film or paper is loaded into the Cold Seal machine.
- Product positioning – The product is placed on the material or fed automatically into the web.
- Folding or wrapping – The machine folds or wraps the coated material around the product.
- Pressure sealing – Rollers or belts apply uniform pressure, activating the adhesive and bonding the material together.
- Cutting – The sealed package is cut or perforated to separate it from the continuous web.
types of cold seal machines
- Flow Wrappers with Cold Seal capability – Ideal for confectionery, bakery goods, and high-speed applications.
- Pouch or Bag Makers – Create pre-made cold-seal bags for later filling.
- Specialty Band Sealers – Compact units for sealing small runs or specific products.
- Custom automated systems – Integrated into full production lines for large-scale manufacturing.
advantages of cold seal packaging
- No heat required – Protects heat-sensitive products like chocolate, certain confectioneries, or medical devices.
- High-speed sealing – Since there’s no heating element to wait for, the process can be extremely fast (often over 300 packs per minute in high-speed lines).
- Energy savings – Eliminates the electricity consumption associated with heating elements.
- Reduced risk of burns – Safer for operators compared to heat sealers.
- Strong seals – Delivers high sealing strength when using the right coated materials.
- Less product distortion – Avoids melting, warping, or cooking of sensitive goods.
- Environmentally flexible – Works with paper-based cold seal materials for sustainable packaging options.
common applications
Cold Seal machines are widely used in industries where speed and product protection are key:
- Food & Confectionery
- Chocolate bars, granola bars, cereal bars
- Ice cream cones, baked goods, pastries
- Chewing gum, candy, and sweets
- Medical & Pharmaceutical
- Sterile instruments in paper/film pouches
- Medical dressings and plasters
- Non-food Consumer Goods
- Stationery items, trading cards, promotional packs
- Cosmetics or sample sachets
- Industrial Applications
- Cold seal protective wrapping for sensitive parts
materials used in cold seal packaging
- Paper with cold seal coating – Often used for eco-friendly or rustic presentation.
- BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) – Offers excellent barrier properties for food.
- Laminates – Paper/film or film/foil combinations for enhanced barrier protection.
- Biodegradable films – Increasingly popular for sustainable cold seal solutions.
factors to consider when choosing a cold seal machine
- Speed requirements – How many packs per minute are needed?
- Product size & shape – Determines machine size and wrapping style.
- Material compatibility – Must match the pre-coated cold seal substrate.
- Automation level – From manual feed to fully automated lines.
- Integration – Ability to link with printers, labeling systems, or weighing units.
- Cleaning & hygiene – Especially important in food and medical packaging.
key manufacturers and brands in the cold seal industry
While there are many machine builders worldwide, notable ones include:
- Ilapak
- Bosch Packaging (Syntegon)
- Campbell Wrapper Corporation
- PAC Machinery
- Record Packaging
- Omori Machinery
These companies often offer both cold seal and heat seal variants of flow wrappers and pouch machines.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Angloscand for their invaluable support in helping us develop and source the perfect Cold Seal machine for our needs. Their expertise in packaging automation, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering high-quality solutions made the entire process smooth and efficient. Thanks to their guidance, we now have a machine that meets our exact specifications and enhances both our production speed and product quality.
