A strong and structured presence in Africa – with its historical headquarters in South Africa and new subsidiary in Nigeria – SACMI is highly skilled in the field of complete systems, with a proposal that reflects the latest market trends, such as smaller minimum batches and the need for product customisation.

SACMI has been a world leader for the production of crown caps manufacturing plants for over 70 years and leads the market in plastic cap production plants using compression technology. According to the head of group PR and communication, Valentina Gollini, the ability to support its customers with a high-level proposal in line with the latest market trends distinguishes SACMI from other technology suppliers, with a comprehensive proposal that integrates product development and all the technologies required to implement it.

Digital decoration alternative

The range of machines and systems for metal caps (crown caps, aluminium caps and lugged caps) goes hand in hand with the development of systems that customise and qualify the product. Cap decoration, by either embossing and/or lithography, is a key element for enhancing the product, and distinguishing a brand’s market offering.

This is why SACMI has developed DMD, the ‘digital alternative’ in the field of decorating metal sheets – used to produce containers and caps – which replaces traditional offset decoration systems. ‘While maintaining high productivity – even up to

2 500 sheets/hour – DMD offers an effective response to the gradual market trend towards ever-smaller batches while allowing extensive customisation, which would be impossible with rigid analogue decoration systems,’ explains Valentina. It is also available in line with the ELIOSCAN vision system developed and produced by SACMI.

Latest 26/22mm standards

The global demand for plastics is increasing, closely associated with the social and regulatory awareness of the development of environmentally sustainable solutions, without affecting the consumer’s consumption experience.

‘One answer to this,’ adds Valentina, ‘is the acceleration towards the new 26/22mm necks, for which SACMI has developed the widest range of caps on the market.’ These caps, which are available in both standard and tethered versions, are developed and tested at the SACMI Rigid Packaging Laboratory, based in Imola’s headquarters, certified by leading international brand owners that comprehensively supports customers’ product development journey, offering the best solution in terms of both functionality and design.

The SACMI Lab, she notes, is also at the forefront of advanced research into alternative resins and new biomaterials, with the aim of driving innovation and offering opportunities to support the green transition.

Consuming less and better

The main driver of the packaging market, the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) approach, is only one aspect of the bigger picture that also involves the technological characteristics of the machines. ‘In the plastic closures sector, for example, the range of CCM presses has evolved over time, implementing new digital controls (SACMI Smart Pack) that simplify the work of the operator, increase plant availability, improve the service life of the machine and its components, and reduce consumption and waste,’ comments Valentina.

The same is true for the evolution of the computer vision systems designed and produced by SACMI and embedded on its entire range of machines, with a new concept of quality control that increasingly switches towards improving process, anticipating drifts, and making interventions and maintenance easier. ‘Put simply, to make the best decision about the manufacturing process,’ she adds.

SACMI South Africa

For quite some time, SACMI has recognised that Africa is one of the areas with the highest development potential in the world and has invested in technology, people, and facilities. Among them is SACMI South Africa, which was established in 2014 with the aim of supporting the development of SACMI’s businesses and providing an after-sales support service that is increasingly closer to customers.

The opening of the headquarters in Africa’s most advanced economy was followed by years of positive results and new projects, stimulating further investment in personnel and facilities. The latest is SACMI Nigeria, which opened a few weeks ago in Lagos and is the group’s point of reference in West Africa.

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