{"id":27191,"date":"2026-09-29T06:57:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T22:57:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lintyco.my\/vakum-vs-vffs\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T06:57:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T22:57:43","slug":"vakum-vs-vffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lintyco.my\/en\/vakum-vs-vffs\/","title":{"rendered":"Vacuum packaging vs. VFFS: when it comes to compression, when it comes to speed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two different goals that are often confused<\/h2>\n

\u201cMy uncle said just buy a vacuum machine.\u201d In Malaysia's SME workshops, vacuum packaging and vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) machines are often considered interchangeable\u2014both are \u201cpackaging machines.\u201d In reality, they pursue different goals: vacuum removes air to extend shelf life; VFFS produces uniform bags at high speed. This article puts each in its proper place so that capital expenditure goes toward the right machine.<\/p>\n

What does the vacuum cleaner do?<\/h2>\n

The vacuum machine (vacuum chamber or vacuum nozzle for large bags) draws air out of the bag before sealing it. The result: the compressed bag hugs the product, oxygen levels drop to below 1%, and aerobic bacteria and fat oxidation are drastically slowed. For meat, fish, cheese, peanuts, and frozen foods \u2014 this is the difference between storing for a few days and for several weeks.<\/p>\n

Speed: table-top machine 1\u20132 cycles per minute (bag by bag); nozzle line for 5\u201325 kg bags is faster. Study of the existing vacuum machines at this site in Automatic vacuum packaging machine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What does VFFS do?<\/h2>\n

VFFS pulls the film roll, forms the bag, fills and seals in one continuous cycle \u2014 40\u2013120 bags\/min with pillow bags or flat back gussets, sharp printing and uniform weight. It doesn't remove air; it produces sales units at speeds that vacuum cannot match. Full introduction in Automatic granule packaging machine<\/a> and Automatic powder packaging machine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Results table: product determines machine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Situation<\/th>\nChoose<\/th>\nReason<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Fresh and processed meat\/poultry, fish<\/td>\nVacuum (space)<\/td>\nShelf life 3-5\u00d7 \u2014 oxygen is the main enemy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peanuts and milled grains in a large bag.<\/td>\nVacuum nozzle<\/td>\nMonthly fat oxidation; 5-25 kg bags<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retail by section: beans 200 g, sugar 1 kg<\/td>\nVertical Form Fill Seal<\/td>\nSpeed and cost per bag<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Powder and mix sachets<\/td>\nVertical Form Fill Seal<\/td>\nSpeed + accuracy of auger\/cup<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Premium sliced cheese and salami<\/td>\nLayered vacuum (skin)<\/td>\nCompact display, long lifespan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retail frozen food<\/td>\nThe two of them met.<\/td>\nSee the combination section below.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

When the two meet: VFFS with gas flush<\/h2>\n

VFFS can be equipped with a gas purge station (nitrogen or a CO\u2082\/N\u2082 mixture) that replaces the air in the bag \u2014 a retail-style vacuum approach for chips, nuts, and small-portion frozen foods. It doesn't collapse the bag like a true vacuum (the bag remains cushioned to protect fragile products), but it removes oxygen at speeds of 40\u2013120 bags per minute. For most Malaysian retail products, the answer is here: not vacuum or VFFS \u2014 VFFS with gas flush.<\/p>\n

Similarly, a comparison with the horizontal format in Vertical form fill seal vs flow pack<\/a> and premium bag inside Vertical Form Fill Seal vs Pre-formed Bag<\/a> \u2014 each comparison closes on a different goal.<\/p>\n

Costs that need to be compared (concept, not machine price)<\/h2>\n