IMA E-COMMERCE at PACK EXPO Chicago 2026

IMA E-COMMERCE, IPG, and The Sustainable Suite have partnered to deliver integrated automated packaging technologies for high-volume e-commerce and intralogistics operations. The technical alliance combines automated machinery with sustainable consumables and packaging station engineering to address throughput bottlenecks and material inefficiency in fulfillment facilities.

Operational Challenges and Partner Roles
High-volume distribution centers require continuous throughput while facing rising dimensional weight shipping charges and labor constraints. Meeting these operational demands necessitates the integration of specialized equipment with verified packaging consumables.

Within this partnership, IMA E-COMMERCE develops modular packaging equipment, including systems for case forming, right-size lidding, automated bagging, and case closing. IPG acts as the exclusive North American distributor, supplying specialized packaging consumables, such as water-activated tapes and protective void-fill materials, alongside regional field engineering, spare parts distribution, and technical maintenance. The Sustainable Suite, Inc. operates as a technology and integration partner, designing custom, ergonomic packing workstations and specifying sustainable protective materials compatible with automated handling.

Technical Architecture and Height Reduction Mechanics
The primary technical solution deployed within the collaboration is the E-CO FLEX CLOSING system. The automated unit integrates into existing conveyor lines and intralogistics routing systems.

Operationally, the system uses internal optical sensors to scan the volumetric fill level of products placed inside an open carton. Electromechanical tooling then scores and folds down the excess vertical corrugated wall, tailoring carton height directly to the contents. The system finishes the sequence by applying water-activated adhesive tape to secure the shortened case flaps.

Standardizing on height-reduction mechanics eliminates internal headspace. This process removes the requirement for secondary plastic or paper void fill, lowers corrugated fiber consumption, and reduces dimensional weight calculations for commercial freight. The modular mechanical interface allows fulfillment facilities to alter case formats and handle variable stock-keeping units without requiring continuous manual changeovers.

Industrial Deployment and Validation
The combined automated systems and compatible IPG consumables will undergo operational demonstrations at PACK EXPO in Chicago, Illinois (October 18–21, 2026). IMA E-COMMERCE and IPG will exhibit the full automation portfolio at booth S-1720, while The Sustainable Suite, Inc. will conduct live mechanical evaluations of the height-reduction case closer at booth S-4374.

These validation demonstrations highlight machine integration into live packing environments, focusing on cycle times, seal integrity using water-activated adhesives, and the synchronization between feeding conveyors, carton modification mechanisms, and outfeed sorting lanes.

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

imagroup.com