IMA for: NGP (Next Generation Products)

Advanced Technologies for Next-Generation Products

Smoking habits have evolved significantly over the years. Today, consumers are seeking new and alternative solutions, and the tobacco industry is adapting to meet these changing demands. This shift has led to the rise of Next Generation Products (NGPs). With its flexible platform of packaging machines, IMA TT leverages the extensive expertise of the IMA Group across multiple industries to position itself as a leading provider of assembly, filling, packaging, and end-of-line solutions for NGPs. By sharing technologies developed in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics sectors, IMA TT designs and delivers machines specifically tailored for any NGP project, whether with tobacco (e.g., Heat-Not-Burn and Hybrid) or without tobacco (e.g., vaping and e-cigarettes).

With tobacco

This product family may look similar to conventional cigarettes, but it relies on a completely different technology. These are the so-called Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) products: sticks that contain less tobacco and have a different internal structure.
The objective is no longer to burn tobacco leaves and paper, but to heat the tobacco using an electronic device. This process releases flavored vapor infused with nicotine from the moisture in the leaves, rather than smoke from combustion.
Hybrid

These products contain a certain amount of tobacco in various forms (leaves, grains, powder, etc.) combined with a liquid. An electronic device heats the liquid, generating vapor, which then passes through the tobacco container (such as a capsule or cartridge). This process produces a warm vapor infused with nicotine and flavor.
Without tobacco

A new smoking concept: products that contain a liquid (such as e-liquid, nicotine salt, or oil) with or without nicotine. This liquid is heated by an electronic device, generating vapor that the consumer inhales.
Unlike hybrid products, those without tobacco have all the flavor and nicotine properties contained directly in the liquid itself, without relying on any external source.

Machine spotlight

FLEX-E

The FLEX-E is a packer specifically designed to produce special packets, with the possibility to handle a large variety of Next Generation Products. With its groups, the machine can feed different products inside the pack to create a complex NGP solution.
The machine footprint and layout are very compact and flexible to be easily linked to the other FLEX-Line machines, or blister and assembly technologies.

IMA NGP (Next Generation Products) Technologies

Tobacco Packing

Palletizing

Case Packing

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Tobacco Packing

IMA offers advanced packaging solutions for cigarettes and next-generation products (NGPs), combining high-speed performance with precision handling and maximum product protection. From traditional stick packs to innovative formats like pods, cartridges, and heat-not-burn units, the machines are designed to accommodate a wide range of product types and packaging styles.

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Palletizing

Our palletizing solutions, available with single or multiple pallet stations, are designed for RSC cases, wraparound cases, trays, and bundles, and are fully ready for seamless line integration. We offer a range of versions, from basic manual pallet loading to advanced automated systems with automatic feeding of empty pallets and unloading of full pallets.

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Case Packing

Automatic case packing machines ergonomically built to handle all product shapes and types, and providing total control throughout all stages of the packaging process. Highly compact, they can be integrated with palletizers or used as stand-alone case packers, reaching speeds of up to 50 cases/min.

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