COVAP upgrades its end-of-line packaging with Innova’s Stretch Hood system
What packaging challenges and requirements does a food company face? How can productivity be improved in the plant while increasing load protection? To address packaging challenges in the supply chain, the Andalusian agri-food cooperative COVAP chose to upgrade and switch to a packaging system such as Stretch Hood. With this goal, COVAP has recently upgraded the end of line at its main plant in Pozoblanco (Córdoba) with Innova Group, installing two Stretch Hood hooding lines.
The technological solution was integrated into the existing packaging line and conveyors at the plant, allowing the new system to be adapted without altering the production flow. Beyond a simple technological upgrade, the project was designed with a clear objective: to incorporate a more efficient and sustainable hooding solution aligned with the visual quality standards currently required by the food market.
COVAP, Cooperativa Ganadera del Valle de los Pedroches, is a leading agri-food cooperative at both national and international levels, specializing in the production and commercialization of dairy products, meat products, and animal feed. Its focus on technological innovation, sustainability, food safety, and animal welfare has positioned it as a benchmark in the Spanish agri-food sector. In line with its sustainability and technological innovation goals, the new installation by Innova Group enables COVAP to optimize its end-of-line packaging process with a more efficient and sustainable solution.
1. COVAP’s challenge: system upgrade and plastic reduction
Before the project, the plant operated with automatic stretch wrapping systems that, although they fulfilled their load stabilization function, presented several limitations for COVAP: protection and finish quality of the packaging, plastic material consumption, and overall line productivity. The cooperative was looking for a more uniform final load, with transparent hooding, free of wrinkles, and with superior protection against dust, moisture, and potential friction during transport. In this regard, Stretch Hood is an increasingly востребed solution in the food sector due to its advantages in protection and hygiene, as the hooding process fully seals the load hermetically.
Additionally, COVAP faced the challenge of reducing plastic consumption per pallet, aligning with its sustainability commitments. Stretch wrapping involves higher material usage and more complex control of consumption per load unit. Therefore, the cooperative sought a packaging system that would allow operation with less film and lower thickness, as is the case with Stretch Hood.
Finally, the plant needed to increase end-of-line productivity. Growing volumes and the need to handle production peaks required a packaging system capable of operating at higher speeds, with fewer stoppages and faster consumable changeovers. In this context, COVAP was looking for a technology partner that could provide not only equipment, but a complete solution adapted to its production reality.
2. Innova’s solution: Stretch Hood line
Innova Group designed and implemented a packaging project with two Stretch Hood systems and conveying complements, adapted to the existing line at the Pozoblanco plant.
- 1. Stretch Hood system SH | Pro
The installed Stretch Hood system was the SH | Pro with dual film reels to increase pallet hooding productivity and adapt to COVAP’s various pallet formats (Euro pallet and half Euro pallet). The installed model incorporates a film change system that allows more agile reel replacement by line personnel. This system enables film reel changes at ground level, facilitating consumable replacement tasks.
- 2. Conveyor line complements:
Alongside the Stretch Hood system, a special conveyor system for hooding and a pallet centering system before hooding were included, both integrated into COVAP’s existing conveyor line.
The project integration was completed with a commissioning phase and staff training, ensuring that the equipment operated at maximum performance from day one. The project approach covered both integration engineering and operational reliability—two key factors for a high-output industry such as food production.
3. Results for COVAP and future plans
Following the implementation of the Stretch Hood line, the results for COVAP have been remarkable. First, the quality of the packaging finish has improved significantly: hooded pallets now present a more uniform appearance, reinforcing brand perception throughout the logistics chain. This improvement is accompanied by greater protection and hygiene of food products during transport to the point of sale.
In terms of sustainability, the use of lower-gauge film has reduced plastic consumption per packaged unit. This not only has a positive impact on the environmental footprint of the process, but also optimizes consumables costs and internal logistics. Stretch Hood technology has proven to be a more efficient alternative in terms of materials and energy consumption, while maintaining the strength and stability required by COVAP.
End-of-line productivity has also improved. The hooding capacity of the equipment, combined with the film change system, has increased shipping throughput and minimized unplanned downtime.
This project lays the foundation for a long-term collaboration between COVAP and Innova. Both companies share a vision of continuous end-of-line improvement, focused on automation, energy efficiency, and sustainability. In fact, COVAP has expressed strong satisfaction with the project and the results achieved with the new system in its logistics process.
For Innova, “it is a privilege to work with a leading company in the agri-food sector such as COVAP, which allows us to continue developing packaging solutions tailored to the real needs of the industry.” Projects like COVAP’s represent a milestone for Innova, demonstrating our expertise and ability to adapt to the specific needs of each sector and each client.
Thank you, COVAP, for trusting Innova Group for this project!
