Norden has adapted its existing machines so they can continue to operate, even with increased pressure being put on the pump.

The machines offer flexibility, needed to switch between the different toothpaste compounds, whether classic or non-aqua premium.

Like other industries, the pharmaceutical sector generates many innovations which can sometimes disrupt production and packaging habits for all the right reasons. A clear example of this is the arrival of superior quality toothpastes in the oral hygiene sector, whose composition is encouraging various other industry players to adapt, like Norden.

From simple prevention to regeneration

The latest research in dental care has revealed that toothpaste, on top of its effectiveness in preventing cavities, is now expanding into actual medical assistance through the repair of teeth in the short and long term. These new top-end toothpastes are changing the outcome of dental care, not only by producing excellent cosmetic results and preventing cavities, but also by reversing tooth decay.

But this indisputable progress nevertheless has profoundly changed the physical properties of the toothpaste. Essentially, the bioactive ingredients that render tooth repair possible are basically replacing the water within the toothpaste’s formula, giving it a thicker, more viscous consistency.

The problem for packaging and need for more robust equipment

This development, and with it the subsequent change in physical properties, raises a real problem with regard to adapting packaging machines, traditionally designed to dose and inject toothpaste containing approximately 20% water.

The denser consistency of these new so-called “non-aqua premium” toothpastes has led to changes being made to oral hygiene sector packaging machines in order to make them suitable for the various compositions and densities of these new aqueous-free products, which have been around for about ten years.

Toothpaste manufacturers quickly realised that their existing machines were not designed to handle these new waterless products, as they are so different from ordinary toothpastes; namely in pumping the tubes destined for retail through the filling machine.

Norden makes sturdier machines, capable of handling high-end toothpastes

When Nordenfirst encountered these new composition toothpastes, the company was quick to modify its existing machines to meet the new market demands.

The proper sealing of the tube depends on how it is filled, and this new type of water-free compound creates a much higher pressure inside the machine, thereby putting the pump to the test compared to a conventional toothpaste. By doing so, it the entire packaging machine experiences considerable wear and tear. It is for this reason that it was essential for Norden to lower the pressure within it.

Driven from the ground up, Norden adapted its existing machines by installing serving functions to allow them to operate according to whatever pressure is put on the pump. They are not only adapted for current non-aqua premium toothpaste compounds, but also for future compounds that may come on the market.

This modification of existing machines was a necessary first step when non-aqua premium toothpastes arrived on the market. But the next step was to build optimised machines that are flexible enough to adapt to the product, whatever its density or composition. The basic model of these new machines therefore ensures the flexibility needed to switch between the different toothpaste compounds, whether classic or non-aqua premium, and may eventually be supplemented by various complementary modules developed by Norden, improving the performance of the machine in terms of speed, changeover time, or even availability.