Magic has placed an order with Andritz for a new eXcelle production line dedicated to food pads, aimed at enhancing its capabilities in absorbent materials manufacturing in Oleggio, Italy. This advanced setup, featuring cutting-edge airlaid forming technology, is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2027, with the order confirmed in Andritz’s third-quarter intake for 2025.
The focus on airlaid forming is pivotal to Magic’s investment strategy. The integrated system created by Andritz Diatec and Andritz Dan-Web significantly boosts the performance of the pads by establishing a consistent, highly absorbent fiber matrix. For manufacturers in the food and beverage sector, this improvement brings several advantages:
- Exceptional absorption — Airlaid pads efficiently soak up excess liquids from products such as meat, fish, and fruit, enhancing packaging hygiene.
- Strong moisture retention — The innovative structure secures moisture effectively, minimizing leakage risks throughout chilled supply chains.
- Rapid fluid uptake — The open and porous configuration speeds up fluid absorption, thereby helping maintain product freshness.
- Reduced rewetting — Pads keep a dry surface, improving consumer perceptions and lowering contamination risks.
- Eco-friendly performance — Magic’s exclusive biodegradable superabsorbent powder, when paired with airlaid technology, leads to the development of next-generation sustainable pads.
CEO Mauro Giani emphasized that this initiative is “of strategic importance” for the company, allowing for an increase in capacity and an enhanced presence in the market. The expertise offered by Andritz in hygiene converting and airlaid systems played a crucial role in this decision.
Leonardo Poggiogalle, global sales director at Andritz Diatec, stated that this order reaffirms the company’s commitment to providing versatile and high-performance line configurations. The unified resources of Andritz Nonwoven & Textile enable efficient technology sharing across its centers of excellence.