China: First packaging machine produced by Premier Tech/Bühler alliance

14th June 2021

Bühler Group, headquartered in Switzerland, and Premier Tech of Canada earlier this year announced the launch of the CHRONOS OML-1060 fully automatic bagging machine which has been manufactured at their joint-venture design and production facility in China, which was first announced in 2019. The new fully automatic OML-1060 bagging machine for the grain, food and feed industries is a more affordable version of an existing high-specification machine made by Premier Tech Chronos in the Netherlands, although it employs the same design and technology utilised by its established European-manufactured counterpart. The quality of the Chinese-built machine is said to remain unchanged, whilst the most requested features have been incorporated and requirements of the emerging markets have been met, reportedly without compromising accuracy or reliability.

As the first open-mouth bagger from the Premier Tech/Bühler alliance, the OML-1060 is the precursor of what is expected to be a forthcoming new series of fully automated Chinese-built packaging equipment. It can handle free-flowing granular material such as animal feed, pet food, rice, seeds, and plastic pellets, while accommodating 20-50kg capacity bags at speeds up to 600 bags per hour. It has been designed to easily run any type of bag, including non-laminated poly woven designs that can be problematic to fill due to their irregular properties. It is also compatible with most common bag closing systems.

Its small and compact footprint optimises floor space and its lean design facilitates easy operation and maintenance. This fully enclosed automatic packaging technology requires very limited operator interaction, enabling better working conditions.

“It is amazing to see what can be achieved when two industry leaders join forces. Only eight months after starting our joint venture we are introducing to the world the most competitive fully automated packaging machine for granular products,” said Johannes Wick, CEO of Bühler’s Grains & Food business.

“What is magical about this partnership for our customers is to benefit from Premier Tech's technological know-how, Bühler's operational know-how, and unparalleled customer support from two organisations with a global footprint,” said André Noreau, CEO of Premier Tech’s Systems and Automation business.

“Our customers will now have access to the best technologies from Premier Tech and Bühler, two pillars in the industrial world that remarkably complement each other,” commented Alexis Michaud, technical and product director, Premier Tech – Bühler. www.ptsystemsautomation.com; www.buhlergroup.com

The CHRONOS OML-1060 has been designed to package free flowing granular materials such as animal feed, pet food, rice, seeds and plastic pellets

Alexis Michaud, technical and product director, Premier Tech – Bühler