IMA TMC accelerates tissue converting lines with the 220-pack WRAP250-NXT

Bridging the gap between rewinding and packaging

For decades, tissue converters have faced a persistent operational headache: the speed mismatch between high-performance rewinders and the packaging lines that follow them. Too often, the wrapper becomes the bottleneck, forcing operators to throttle back upstream production. In July 2026, IMA TMC is addressing this structural inefficiency head-on with the rollout of the WRAP250-NXT, a primary wrapping system engineered to push the boundaries of tissue packaging throughput.

Operating at speeds of up to 220 packs per minute and capable of handling up to 1,300 rolls per minute, the WRAP250-NXT is not just an incremental upgrade. It represents a fundamental redesign of the platform, built to absorb the massive output of modern tissue converting lines without breaking a sweat. By accommodating roll diameters up to 250 mm and producing standard packs up to 410 mm in height, the machine covers the vast majority of consumer and away-from-home (AFH) tissue formats.

Engineering for continuous operation

Speed is irrelevant if a machine constantly jams. To maintain high Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), IMA TMC has integrated its proprietary Never-Stop Technology into the WRAP250-NXT. This system acts as an automated gatekeeper immediately before the elevator section. It actively scans for non-compliant roll configurations—such as out-of-shape tails, tipped rolls, or incorrect counts inside the flying bar. Instead of triggering a line stoppage that requires manual operator intervention, the machine automatically rejects the faulty configuration and continues running.

Mechanically, the platform has been overhauled. A new belt-and-pulley lifting system replaces older mechanical linkages, reducing wear and tear while increasing precision at high speeds. Furthermore, the machine frame and unwinding unit have been heavily reinforced. This added rigidity minimizes vibrations, which is critical for maintaining wrapping accuracy when processing over a thousand rolls every sixty seconds.

The multi-material advantage

Perhaps the most strategic feature of the WRAP250-NXT for the 2026 market is its native multi-material capability. As global legislation and retailer mandates continue to push the industry away from single-use plastics, converters are caught in a transitional phase. They must supply eco-sustainable paper packaging to certain markets while maintaining traditional polyethylene (PE) film for others.

The WRAP250-NXT handles both PE film and heat-sealable paper without requiring any mechanical modifications or complex retrofits. Operators simply change the reel, and the machine is immediately ready to produce first-quality packs with the new material. Combined with a fully repeatable size changeover time of just 10 minutes, this flexibility allows converters to execute short runs and switch between plastic and paper substrates seamlessly, maximizing asset utilization.

The ability to process heat-sealable paper at these speeds is particularly noteworthy. Paper behaves differently under tension and heat than extensible PE films. The reinforced unwinding unit and precise tension control of the WRAP250-NXT ensure that the mechanical strength and barrier properties of the paper are maintained, preventing tears and ensuring a pristine seal.

The WRAP250-NXT proves that sustainability and high-speed performance no longer have to be mutually exclusive in the tissue sector. Will the ability to switch instantly between plastic and paper become the new baseline requirement for all future packaging investments? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai