Single-dose packaging has stopped being a trend to become a real necessity across multiple industrial sectors. We see it every day: hotels offering individual shampoos, restaurants serving extra virgin olive oil in glass ampoules, laboratories packaging cosmetic samples in sealed formats, and chemical companies distributing cleaning products in exact doses.
This transformation is not coincidental. It responds to profound changes in how we consume products and the demands companies face to differentiate themselves in increasingly competitive markets. At Olmos Maquinaria, we have spent years working with companies that have made the leap to single-dose packaging, and we have seen firsthand how this change can completely redefine their value proposition.
When we talk about single doses, we refer to packaging systems that allow presenting a product in the exact amount needed for a single use. But the technical definition doesn't capture the true revolution it represents.
Let's think about an organic olive oil producer who sells directly to restaurants. Until recently, their only option was to sell 500ml or 1-liter bottles. Now they can offer individual 10ml ampoules with their brand, which the restaurant places on each table. The diner breaks the seal, uses the oil, and perceives absolute freshness. The restaurant eliminates the problem of half-empty bottles that oxidize. And the producer can sell their premium product at a price that better reflects its quality.
This example illustrates the three forces driving the massive adoption of single doses: hygiene, convenience, and brand differentiation. The 2020 pandemic dramatically accelerated demand for individual formats in sectors like hospitality and cosmetics, but what began as a sanitary need has persisted because the benefits go far beyond.
The hospitality sector has probably been the most transformed by single-dose packaging. Hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, and catering have discovered that individual formats solve multiple problems simultaneously.
In hospitality, each single-dose format guarantees that the guest receives an unopened product, eliminating any perception of previous use. A hotel can completely personalize its single-dose shampoos, gels, or creams with its signature fragrance and corporate image.
In restaurants, extra virgin olive oil in single-dose ampoules has revolutionized how high-end establishments present this product. A glass ampoule with 10ml of freshly opened oil on the table immediately communicates quality. The oil doesn't oxidize between services, the restaurant perfectly controls its costs, and the supplier can position their brand on each table.
Sauces, vinaigrettes, honeys, and premium condiments are also massively adopting this format. Companies that previously only sold 250ml jars now offer single doses for professional channels.
Cosmetic brands are using single doses for two different but complementary strategies. On one hand, they allow customers to try products without purchase commitment, which drastically reduces the entry barrier for new brands or high-priced products. On the other, they create specific travel products or purse-sized items that have their own demand.
Hair care products in single-dose format have also found their market. Intensive treatments, masks, temporary dyes—all work better in exact-dose format because the user applies exactly the necessary amount without waste or overdosing.
In the chemical sector, single doses solve two critical problems: exact dosing and handling safety.
Industrial cleaning products, concentrated detergents, chemical additives, and pool treatments are increasingly being packaged in single-dose format. The reason is simple: it eliminates human error in dosing. A single dose contains exactly the amount needed for a specific use.
In water treatment, single-dose tablets or capsules of chlorine, flocculants, and pH correctors have greatly simplified pool maintenance for non-professional users. The format eliminates the need to measure, weigh, or calculate doses, which reduces errors and improves safety.
Liquid fertilizers for home use are also adopting this format. Instead of selling a 1-liter bottle with complicated dilution instructions, some brands offer single doses that are added directly to the watering can. The user simplifies their life, and the brand reduces complaints about product misuse.
The pharmaceutical sector was the pioneer in single doses, although in this case we mainly talk about glass ampoules with injectable medications or topical use. The logic is evident: guarantee sterility, exact dosing, and controlled expiration.
In parapharmacy, single doses have found application in products such as physiological serums for eye cleaning, oral rehydration solutions, liquid dietary supplements, and intimate hygiene products. Each of these products benefits from individual packaging for similar reasons: absolute hygiene, ease of transport, and exact quantity.
Liquid dietary supplements in stick-pack or ampoule format are particularly interesting. They allow combining multiple active ingredients in a ready-to-consume dose, without preservatives or the need for refrigeration in many cases. For the consumer, it represents maximum convenience: a sachet in the bag that can be taken at any time.
When a company decides to make the leap to single-dose format, it encounters multiple technological options. The correct choice depends on the type of product, production volume, available budget, and growth expectations. Each technology has its characteristics, and understanding them is fundamental to making the right decision.
Rotary single-dose packaging machines are designed for medium and high productions where continuity and speed are essential. They work through a system of rotating plates that transport containers through different stations: feeding, filling, sealing, and ejection.
This type of machine is especially suitable for liquids with low to medium viscosity, such as oils, vinegars, fluid honeys, liquid cosmetic products, and certain chemical solutions. The defining characteristic is their ability to maintain high production rates sustainably.
At Olmos, we have developed rotary packaging machines specifically designed for companies that are scaling their production or working with multiple references. One advantage of our equipment is flexibility in format changes. Format changes are made through simple mechanical adjustments that an operator can perform in minutes.
These machines work with both glass and PET containers, which is fundamental because each material has its ideal application. Glass conveys premium quality and is essential for certain products where quality perception is critical, such as high-end olive oils or luxury cosmetic products. PET, for its part, offers advantages in weight, cost, and safety for applications where the container may suffer drops or complicated transport.
Thermoforming machines represent a different technology that starts from plastic film reels to create, fill, and seal containers in a continuous process. This system is ideal for products that need maximum protection and extended shelf life.
The thermoforming process works like this: a lower film reel is heated and molded by vacuum or pressure to create the cavities that will contain the product. The product is dosed into these cavities, and then an upper film seals the assembly through heat and pressure.
This technology is particularly interesting for products sensitive to oxidation or requiring controlled atmosphere. Liquid dietary supplements, cosmetic products with sensitive active ingredients, chemical product samples for laboratory—all benefit from the total barrier that thermoforming provides when using multilayer materials with aluminum barriers.
Thermoforming machines also allow working with higher viscosities than traditional packaging machines, making them suitable for creams, dense gels, pastes, and products with particles in suspension. Dosing can be performed through volumetric systems or piston pump depending on product characteristics.
Some single-dose products are packaged in small rigid formats like glass or PET bottles that require a cap. This is the case for products like collagen shots, concentrated energy drinks, or certain food additives.
For these formats, the solution is filling and capping lines adapted to small formats. These machines combine precision filling with cap threading or pressing systems that guarantee hermetic closure.
The advantage of this format is that it conveys a more elaborate product image, similar to a standard-sized product but in individual version.
Deciding to invest in single-dose packaging capacity requires evaluating several technical and operational factors that will determine which solution is most suitable for your specific situation.
The nature of your product will determine which packaging technology is viable. Viscosity is probably the most critical factor. Very fluid liquids like oils, vinegars, or aqueous solutions are relatively simple to dose precisely. Medium viscosity products like honeys, syrups, or fluid creams require more specific pumping systems. And dense gels, pastes, or products with particles need specialized technologies.
Product sensitivity to environmental factors also matters. Products that oxidize easily, are photosensitive, or require protection against humidity will need packaging materials with specific barriers. A cream with vitamin C, for example, requires containers with UV and oxygen barriers to maintain the active ingredient's stability.
Working temperature is another consideration. Some products must be packaged hot to guarantee sterilization. Others are heat-sensitive and require cold filling with sealing that doesn't raise the product temperature. These requirements directly condition which equipment is suitable.
The volume you need to produce and the variability of your catalog are determining factors in machinery selection.
Rotary packaging machines work best when there is sufficient volume to justify their speed, but where flexibility is also needed for format or product changes.
Thermoforming machines, for their part, require tooling changes to modify the size or shape of cavities, making them more suitable for productions with less variability or higher volumes per reference that justify the changeover time.
Your production plant layout and material flow are aspects that many companies underestimate when planning the introduction of new machinery. A single-dose packaging machine doesn't work in isolation; it needs product feeding, container or film supply, finished product output systems, and space for the operator.
A thermoforming machine, for example, may occupy relatively little floor space because it generates the container in the moment, but requires film reel feeding systems that may need considerable free height. A rotary packaging machine with rigid containers needs feeding and storage systems for empty containers and caps.
Thinking through the complete flow from raw material arrival to palletized product output is fundamental to avoid bottlenecks. We have seen companies that invest in excellent machines but then have problems because they didn't properly dimension accumulation tables, subsequent labeling systems, or space for the operator supervising the process.
Depending on your sector, regulatory requirements can condition both machine design and materials you can use. The food sector requires machines with food contact certification, specific materials, and designs that facilitate cleaning and sanitization.
Before deciding which machine you need, it's fundamental to understand which certifications and regulatory compliances are mandatory in your sector, because this can significantly reduce available options or require special configurations.
Investing in single-dose packaging machinery is only part of the process. For the operation to function efficiently, you need to think about the complete ecosystem of materials, suppliers, and processes that will make your production line truly effective.
Packaging materials are a critical element that many companies discover after buying the machine. Glass containers, PET ampoules, thermoforming films—each material has its specific suppliers, minimum orders, delivery times. Researching and establishing relationships with reliable material suppliers is as important as choosing the correct machinery.
At Olmos, we work with thermoforming machines for which we also supply the necessary consumables: film reels, thermoforming dies, cutting blades. This simplifies management for our clients because they have a single contact for machine and materials, which facilitates resolution of any technical incident and ensures total compatibility of materials with the equipment.
Labeling and coding are other aspects requiring planning. Each single dose needs identification with batch, expiration date, and all applicable regulatory information. Some products require additional labels with nutritional information or usage instructions. Integrating these processes into your production line smoothly requires coordination between different equipment.
Single-dose packaging is not a passing fad. It represents a fundamental change in how companies present their products and how consumers expect to interact with them. Convenience, hygiene, exact dosing, waste reduction, personalized brand experience—all these benefits will remain relevant regardless of market trends.
For companies producing liquids or viscous products in sectors like food, cosmetics, chemicals, or pharmaceuticals, exploring the single-dose format is no longer optional if they want to remain competitive. Distribution channels are evolving toward smaller, more personalized, more convenient formats. Companies that anticipate this evolution will have an advantage over those that react late.
At Olmos Maquinaria, we understand that taking the step toward single-dose packaging represents an important decision for any company. It's not just buying a machine; it's rethinking part of your commercial strategy, your distribution channels, your value proposition. That's why we work with our clients not only to supply them with equipment, but to help them design complete solutions that work in their specific context.
Our experience with rotary single-dose packaging machines, blister ampoule thermoforming machines, and filling-capping systems for small formats has taught us that each project is unique.
If you're considering incorporating the single-dose format into your product catalog, our technical team can analyze your product characteristics, your current volumes and future projections, your regulatory requirements, and recommend the solution that best fits your reality.
The future of packaging is individual, personalized, convenient. And that future is available now for companies that decide to take the step.
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