Vacuum Bags

The right bag depends entirely on the vacuum sealer you run. Choosing the wrong one is the most common reason a bag fails to draw a proper vacuum.

Chamber machines place the whole bag inside a chamber and remove air from the bag and the chamber together, then seal. These need a smooth bag on both sides, which is what our co-extruded vacuum bag is. The multi-layer barrier film holds a tight oxygen barrier for long shelf life, and the smooth wall gives a clean, professional pack for retail-ready smallgoods, portioned meat, cheese and prepared meals. This is the format most food processors and manufacturers run.

External or out-of-chamber sealers grip only the mouth of the bag and draw air through channels in the film. A fully smooth bag cannot vent, so these machines need an embossed or crimped bag, textured on one side to let the air escape during the cycle. Our embossed bags suit commercial kitchens, delis, caterers and smaller production runs where an external sealer is the practical choice.

Both types are supplied by the box in commercial quantities, excluding GST. If you are unsure which suits your sealer, send us the machine make and model and we will confirm the right format.

Removing air from the pack slows the two things that spoil food fastest: oxidation and the growth of aerobic bacteria and mould. For a commercial operation that translates into longer shelf life, less stock loss, and product that reaches the customer in the condition it left the line. Vacuum packing also locks in moisture and weight for portioned meat and smallgoods, keeps cross-contamination down during cold storage and transport, and presents a clean, retail-ready pack. For sous vide and cook-chill kitchens, a barrier bag that holds a seal through the water bath is essential, not optional.

Our food grade vacuum bags are used across Australia wherever shelf life, portion control and food safety matter.

• Meat processors, butchers and smallgoods producers
• Cheese makers and dairy producers
• Seafood processors and wholesalers
• Commercial kitchens, caterers and cook-chill operations running sous vide
• Ready-meal and prepared-food manufacturers
• Delis, providores and specialty food retailers

Each application has its own barrier and size needs, so we help you match the bag to the product and the machine.

Most vacuum bag suppliers in Australia import finished stock and resell it, so the barrier film changes whenever their source does. Plastpack has manufactured plastic bags and film in Sydney since 1928. We co-extrude our own barrier film and form the bags on site, which gives food businesses a few things a reseller cannot.

• A consistent oxygen barrier and seal strength from carton to carton, so shelf-life results do not drift between orders.
• Custom sizes made to your product and portion, rather than forcing your product into a near-enough stock size.
• Bulk and high-volume supply held and dispatched from local stock, so production lines are not left waiting on imports.
• Samples on request, so you can trial a bag on your machine and your product before committing to volume.

For food operations packing into cartons as well, our food grade carton liners come from the same facility, and the wider food packaging range covers ice bags, bread bags and produce rolls.

If a stock size does not fit your product, we manufacture vacuum bags to your dimensions and barrier requirement. Width, length, gauge and format can all be specified, and bags can be printed for branding or product identification through our custom printed bags service. Food businesses that need help selecting the right specification can talk to our team, and the thickness guide explains how gauge affects barrier and durability. Minimum run quantities apply to custom work.

Chamber bags are smooth on both sides and suit in-chamber machines that remove air from the whole bag at once. Embossed bags have a textured channel on one side so external out-of-chamber sealers can draw air through the mouth of the bag.

If your machine takes the whole bag inside and closes a lid, use the co-extruded smooth bag. If only the open end goes into the sealer, use the embossed bag. Send us your machine make and model and we will confirm.

Yes. Both vacuum bag types are manufactured to food-grade material standards and are BPA free, suitable for direct food contact. Buyers should confirm the specification meets the requirements of their particular application.

The co-extruded barrier bags are suited to sous vide and cook-chill work where the bag must hold a seal through the water bath. Confirm the temperature range for your process with our team before ordering.

Yes. Both types are supplied by the box in commercial quantities with delivery Australia wide from our Sydney factory. Standing orders can be arranged for regular production supply.

Yes. We manufacture to your dimensions, gauge and barrier requirement, with printing available for branding. Minimum run quantities apply, and our team will confirm specification and lead time from your measurements.

Order your food grade vacuum bags from Plastpack (formerly known as Churchill & Coombes) today. Send your product details, machine type and volume via the enquiry form or contact our team, and we will match the right bag to your line. Samples are available before volume orders, and custom bags are quoted from your specifications.