Multivac is the benchmark in food processing and its chamber machines turn up everywhere from a farm shop back room to a 20-person packing hall. The good news for pouch buying is that they're not fussy. Any Multivac chamber machine runs smooth PA/PE pouches, and the questions are about size and programme, not compatibility.
Chamber machines and thermoformers are different
Worth saying first. Multivac makes both. Chamber machines (the C-series and the Baseline range) take pre-made pouches: you put a filled bag in, close the lid, the machine evacuates and seals. Thermoformers (the R-series) form packs from two reels of film and don't use pouches at all. This guide is about the chamber machines. If you run a thermoformer, the film you need comes from the main Flexipol business rather than this shop.
Which sizes fit
Multivac's tabletop chamber machines run seal bars from around 300mm up to 500mm, and the floor-standing and double-chamber models go well beyond that. The rule is the same as for every chamber machine: pouch width at least 20mm under the bar length. Check the bar on your model's data plate or manual.
| Seal bar |
Widest pouch |
Stock sizes that fit |
| 300 to 350mm (small tabletop) |
280 to 330mm |
200×300, 250×350, 300×400 on a 350 bar |
| 400 to 450mm (larger tabletop) |
380 to 430mm |
Above plus 400×500, 400×600, 430×650 on a 450 |
| 500mm and up (floor-standing, double chamber) |
Whole range |
Including 500×600 and 530×650; two or more pouches per cycle on long bars |
The size guide lists all 37 clear sizes with what fits in each.
Programmes
Multivac machines store named programmes, which is the single most useful feature for pouch consistency. Set one up per pouch type and stop the team fiddling.
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Standard 65 micron: full vacuum, default seal time. This covers clear, blue, gold and parchment.
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130 micron heavy duty: same, plus one step of seal time. Used for bone-in and shellfish; the 130 micron guide covers when.
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Soft product: vacuum stop at 90 to 95%, using the sensor-controlled vacuum setting where fitted.
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Liquids: the liquid control or "boil detection" function stops evacuation when the product starts to boil. Standard on newer C-series, optional on older.
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Gas flush: if your machine has it, our pouches take a gas flush without change; the film's oxygen barrier works the same with a modified atmosphere.
Running for volume
Processors on a C-series floor machine usually run the large-format pouches, 400×500mm up to 530×650mm, in boxes of 500 or 400. Consistency between boxes is what matters at that scale, and the processing guide covers batch traceability, paperwork and pallet ordering. Trade accounts run on Net 30 with scheduled deliveries.
Common questions from Multivac owners
The seal has a raised ridge. Seal time too long for the film, or the seal bar's PTFE tape is worn. Drop a step; if it persists, check the tape.
Pouches sticking to the lid gasket. Overfilled, or the pouch is longer than the chamber. Size down in length or seal in two passes.
Can I mix pouch suppliers? Yes. Smooth PA/PE film is standard across the industry and our pouches run alongside any other smooth pouch on the same programme. If you're comparing, the buying direct guide lists what to ask.
Setting up a new programme? Ask for a free sample pack in your sizes and dial it in on our film before the boxes arrive.
