Pet Food and Care

Matrix systems are engineered to run the full spectrum of today’s pet care products, from dry kibble and bird seed to fresh-style wet foods, treats, and functional supplements. As brands expand into new textures, premium formats, and larger SKU portfolios, our equipment delivers the versatility, fill accuracy, and seal integrity processors rely on.

We support all major packaging styles used across pet food and treats, including:

• Pillow bags for kibble, treats, bird seed, and high‑volume dry products
• Stand‑up, Doy, quad‑seal, and gusseted pouches for premium treats and high‑end pet foods
• Pre‑made pouches (with or without zippers) for resealable, premium shelf appeal and club‑store formats
• Large-format VFFS bags for bulk kibble, multi‑pet households, and club channels
• Stickpacks and sachets for functional supplements, single‑serve additives, and sample packs

Our equipment consistently handles a wide range of pet products with reliable seals, hygienic design options, and the versatility needed for multi-SKU operations, including:

• Dry kibble, cat food, and dog food
• Treats (oily, semi‑moist, jerky, soft‑chew, and crunchy)
• Bird seed, small-animal bedding, and dusty or irregular particulates
• Fresh-look wet foods that resemble “stir-fry” blends
• Gravies, sauces, and tube-style wet formats
• Functional powders and supplements (joint support, digestion, skin/coat formulas)
• Single‑serve additions such as toppers, enhancers, and nutrient blends delivered in stickpacks

As pet owners place increasing value on freshness, convenience, portion control, and premium presentation, Matrix provides the packaging versatility brands need, helping operations shift smoothly between product types, film structures, bag formats, and high SKU counts without sacrificing speed, seal integrity, or uptime.

The pet care industry is evolving quickly, and packaging must keep up:

Explosion of New Product Types

• Growth in dog treats, pet food, bedding, bird seed, and supplements
• Rising demand for cat sticks, driven especially by Mars
• Expansion of fresh, human-grade style wet foods
• More functional additives delivered via stickpack or single-serve formats

Your packaging lines must now handle more formats, more sizes, and more ingredient behaviors than ever before.

Food Safety Expectations Matching Human Food

Although pet food doesn’t fall under USDA, major brands (e.g., Mars, Nestlé PetCare) enforce human-food-level internal standards:

• Hygienic design
• Washdown capabilities
• High seal integrity
• Support for third‑party inspections

Food safety is now a core purchasing factor for pet care packaging equipment.

SKU Proliferation & Faster Changeovers

Pet care is one of the most SKU-diverse categories in grocery.
Brands require:

• Quick, tool‑less changeovers
• Versatility across bag sizes and formats
• Machines that can adapt to new product launches without major reconfiguration

This is often the deciding factor in VFFS vs. pre‑made vs. stickpack selection.

Speed to Market

Pet brands rarely push back on price—but they need unwavering confidence in:

• Lead times
• Machine deliverability
• Launch schedules

Reliability and partnership are now as important as technology.

Sustainability & New Material Adoption

CPGs are evaluating:

• Recyclable films
• Compostable structures
• Reduced-gauge materials
• State-level EPR regulations driving redesign

Brands need equipment that can:

• Maintain throughput on new materials
• Adapt sealing parameters
• Support material testing and line validation

Advanced sealing technology is becoming essential—not optional.

Versatility Across Products & Formats

One platform can run:

• Very small retail bags
• Mid-size everyday SKUs
• Very large club-store formats
• Wet, dry, oily, dusty, and chunky products

Few OEMs can match the SKU range Matrix machines manage daily.

Rapid, Tool-Less Changeovers

• Typical changeovers in under 15 minutes
• Systems proven to run 20+ SKUs on a single line
• Six-axis adjustability for precision and speed

This efficiency is a game‑changer for co-packers and brands with large product portfolios.

Food-Safety-Centric Design

Matrix equipment supports:

• Washdown configurations
• Hygienic design principles
• Third-party inspection compatibility
• High seal integrity for wet and dry applications
• Durable construction meeting internal CPG safety protocols

If you package pet food like human food, Matrix is your match.

Advanced Sealing Technologies

• Resistance Sealing
• Poly Sealing
• Impulse Sealing
• Digital Sealing

Benefits:

• Improved throughput
• Premium seal appearance
• Material versatility
• Future-proofing for sustainable films

Small Footprint, Big Output

Matrix VFFS systems deliver:

• High throughput
• Robust OEE
• A footprint often one-tenth the size of comparable HFFS systems

Ideal for facilities with square‑footage constraints.

Proven Success With Leading Pet Care Brands

Matrix and the broader FPG portfolio support everything from individual servings to club-store bags for the same customer.

Reliable Delivery & Aftermarket Support

CPGs choose Matrix for:

• Market recognition & longevity
• Strong uptime performance
• Industry-recognized aftermarket support
• Commitment to deadlines and GTM timelines

Pet care customers consistently cite deliverability and support as their top decision factors.

A successful pet care line is more than just the bagger. It’s a coordinated system where fillers, scales, conveyors, printers, and inspection equipment must work in perfect sync. Matrix integrates seamlessly with leading upstream and downstream technologies, ensuring each component communicates and performs reliably within the overall line.

Through Matrix Integrated Systems, manufacturers gain full project management for complete, turnkey line integration. Our engineering team ensures every element, from product delivery to finished bag handling, is designed to work as a cohesive system. The result is smoother installations, reduced vendor complexity, and a packaging line that runs efficiently from day one.