Doypack & Stand-Up Pouch Filling Machine Suppliers & Manufacturers

Stand-up pouch filling methods and applications

A doypack (stand-up pouch, SUP) is a flexible packaging format with a bottom gusset that allows the filled and sealed pouch to stand upright on shelf. Stand-up pouches are used for a wide range of consumer and food service products, valued for their shelf presence, resealability options (zipper or spout), reduced material content versus rigid containers, and lower transport weight. Stand-up pouch filling is done by two main approaches: premade pouch filling — pre-manufactured stand-up pouches are loaded into a rotary filling machine; the machine opens each pouch, fills it with product through the open top, adds a zipper or spout if required, and heat-seals the top; speeds of 20–100 pouches per minute; highly flexible for different pouch styles and sizes; the standard for medium to high viscosity products, thick sauces, baby food, pet food, and products with solid inclusions. VFFS from roll-stock with block-bottom attachment — a VFFS machine can form a stand-up pouch from flat film using a block-bottom or side-gusset forming system; less changeover flexibility than premade pouch machines but higher speed for free-flowing products. Spout pouch filling: products sold in spouted stand-up pouches (refill packs for liquid soap, fabric conditioner, cooking oil, baby drinks, sports drinks) require a spout insertion step before or after filling. In spout-up filling, the spout is inserted before filling — product is filled through the open spout, then the spout cap is applied. In spout-down filling on some formats, the pouch is filled from the open top and then a spout fitment is inserted and sealed. Product types suited to stand-up pouches: liquid foods (sauces, soups, gravies, drinking yoghurt, juice, smoothies); semi-liquid (baby food, puréed vegetables, pet food); thick pastes (cooking paste, pesto, tomato sauce); dry products (nuts, seeds, coffee, powders) in zipped stand-up pouches; personal care and cosmetics (body wash, hand cream refill sachets).

Machine configurations and sourcing

Premade stand-up pouch filling machines are available in rotary and linear configurations. Rotary premade pouch machines — the most common configuration; a rotating turret carries pouches through sequential stations: pouch loading from a magazine, opening by air or suction, filling by the dosing system (piston filler, pump, auger, or multihead weigher depending on product), top sealing, and discharge; output 20–100+ pouches per minute. Linear premade pouch machines — a linear conveyor carries pouches; simpler and lower cost for small-scale operations; output 5–30 pouches per minute. Spout pouch filling machines are a specialised version with a spout insertion station and cap application station in addition to the standard fill and seal steps. Zipper pouch machines include a zipper applicator or zipper verification station. Spouted pouch and doypack machinery is a strong production category among Chinese packaging machinery manufacturers, with many models available for the food, beverage, and personal care markets. European suppliers (Bossar, Effytec, GEA, Rovema) produce premium machines for pharmaceutical and regulated food applications. When sourcing, specify: product type and viscosity, pouch dimensions (width, height, gusset depth), pouch material and whether spouted or zippered, required output speed, and whether GMP or food-grade construction is required. Request a pouch compatibility test — not all machines run all pouch dimensions and materials without adjustment.

Frequently asked questions