Founded by Fabio Binacchi in 1974, OPEM’s story is that of a small family business turned into an international success. The company started as a pasta business but the decision to focus on packaging based on continuous innovation, reflecting the founder’s pioneering and visionary qualities, has paved the way for its future development.
Continuous demand for new weighing and packaging solutions drove the company to design and develop new systems, and the arrival of pods and capsules in the booming coffee market further boosted the company’s growth.
Over the years, OPEM has patented many of its solutions, the most recent being the machine for coffee pods in aluminum foil compatible systems (Nespresso Pro), and the coffee bag with a re-sealable cap application, both introduced in 2017.
In 2014 the company achieved an important milestone – moving to a new 16,700 sqm factory in Parma, located in a large green area, and equipped with research and development laboratories.
Customized solutions
OPEM offers advanced systems for pods in filter paper, systems for capsules, vacuum packaging systems, vertical packaging machines, filling systems for tins and jars as well as special, customized packaging machines.
“When designing and developing systems, OPEM works according to each customer’s specific needs, offering to make a highly efficient industrial system – a customized solution,” said Ms. Binacchi. “We also constantly test solutions and materials with our customers, to establish a definite time to-market, and to ensure that the machine fully meets the customer’s needs.”
She explained that today the company’s core business is primarily linked to the world of coffee where OPEM is a leader in the design and manufacture of pod and capsule systems for the single-serve market. Still, no less important is the production of systems for packaging in all formats and materials for teas, instant beverages, milk, hot chocolate, yeast and general powders.
Ongoing research
This spirit is reflected throughout the business, that continuous research has led OPEM to develop solutions that are increasingly attentive to safeguarding the environment by consistently reducing their energy impact.
“The development we have gone through over the last 20 years, and stepped up significantly during the last five, can largely be seen in the packaging of single-servings, capsules and pods, with a high demand for the use of materials that respect the environment.
“Our machines make sure that the production process, which happens in just a few tenths of a second, fully complies with the most demanding and stringent health and safety, environmental and noise regulations.
It ensures the highest levels of hygiene, accurate filling and perfect sealing of the capsules which, containing freshly ground coffee and nitrogen, preserve for several years the wonderful aroma demanded by today’s market.
She continued: “Every day, in a cutting-edge laboratory, research and development experts examine solutions and materials that will be behind the technology of tomorrow.
Every solution can handle compostable and recyclable materials and all the machines are developed with a view to maximizing efficiency, since they require very little maintenance.
“THE NEXT CHALLENGE WOULD BE TO SHIFT PRODUCTION TO THE USE OF FULLY RECYCLABLE.”
