Loma Systems to showcase multiple “Check & Detect” solutions at Interpack
Loma Systems, a global leader in inspection technologies for food quality and safety, will be showcasing its latest inspection solutions at Interpack 2023, held at Messe Düsseldorf, Germany on 4-10 May. The company is exhibiting in Hall 11, on Stand F02.
The Loma team look forward to welcoming visitors to the stand and displaying their exciting collection of new and existing ‘Check & Detect’ solutions, designed to meet all inspection needs.
The company is particularly proud to exhibit its new X5 SideShoot – a side-view X-ray system for food inspection, suitable where the food in packaging is taller than it is wide. This includes items such as yoghurts, confectionery, snacks and cookies. The side-view X-ray system features a 150 mm wide belt, with a 270mm aperture and is capable of offering excellent detection of an extensive range of contaminants, including all metals, glass, stone, rubber and dense plastics, plus, within multilayer products, you can determine the layer in which the contaminant entered the process.
Loma is also proud to be introducing a new product into its Pipeline portfolio. The X5 Pipeline range will now include a new 4” option. Perfect for inspection of pumped and free-flowing applications such as large-formed hams and gammons, this product complements the Pipeline family, which is already available with product pipes of 2.5 and 3”, all offering excellent detection across a wide range of contaminants.
With Loma’s range designed to inspect virtually all applications, on show will be the IQ3+E Vertical Fall gravity fed/throat metal detector system, designed for inspecting powders, granules or bulk food products. And for visitors looking for pharmaceutical solutions, Loma will be exhibiting their new and improved IQ4 LOCK-PH Metal Detector, designed for inspecting up to 30,000 tablets and capsules per minute.
For those applications demanding the ultimate in cleaning efficiency, Loma’s IP69 rated IQ4 RUN-WET® Metal Detector Conveyor will be on display, as will their CW3 RUN-WET® Combo System, a fully IP69 rated checkweigher and metal detector system designed following industry-leading hygienic principles, for simultaneously detecting metal contaminants and reducing giveaway in food products. Both systems provide quicker and easier cleaning and are perfect for inspecting a wide variety of food products, including retail-packed convenience food/Food to Go and much more, where bacterial contamination is a risk.
Finally, Loma will also be showcasing its data capture software, TRACS (Trending-Reporting-Analysis-Capture-Software), a graphical reporting tool, which runs over a network and captures data from connected machines for analysis and reporting from a remote computer. TRACS displays live and historical batch data for all production runs and is designed to work with Loma’s metal detectors, checkweighing, X-ray inspection, and combination systems.
For more information on Loma’s ‘Check & Detect’ solutions, click here.
Kite Packaging enters third year of carbon neutrality
March 2023 brings renewed confirmation of carbon neutrality for Kite Packaging Group Limited from Carbon Neutral Britain.
In 2022, Kite achieved carbon neutral status under Scopes 1 and 2, extending their offsetting to also include third-party deliveries under Scope 3. Following on from last year, the employee share-owned company has maintained this, successfully offsetting a total of 1338 tonnes of CO₂e emissions, far exceeding their emissions for the year.
All Kite trucks and outbound deliveries made by third-party couriers have been offset and are therefore carbon neutral. The company is continuing to operate with carbon neutral delivery, whether that is between Kite’s NDC and RDCs or directly to their customers and will be shown on customer delivery notes.
The employee share-owned company avoided a further 198 CO₂e by using renewable energy in their operation, having fitted solar panels at their new premises in Puma Park, Coventry. This is in keeping with their ambitions to use renewable energy for electrical consumption.
Kite Packaging remains committed to environmental causes, collectively effecting meaningful change that helps us care for the wellbeing of our planet.
To find out more about the products and services available at Kite Packaging, please visit www.kitepackaging.co.uk.
Award Recognition for Soft Plastic Recycling Initiative
The successful collaborative project bringing together Heinz and Tesco with packaging industry leader Berry Global and recycling technology experts Plastic Energy and Sabic to develop Heinz Beanz Snap Pots made with 39 percent recycled plastic has been recognised with a Silver Award in the global Packaging Innovation Awards.
The award recognises how the project has delivered improved sustainability for the Heinz Snap Pots while retaining what makes them so popular with consumers: handy snappable format, microwave-ready and freshness retention.
The Heinz Snap Pots produced by Berry Global use 39% ISCC PLUS-certified (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) recycled soft plastic on a mass balance basis. Soft plastic is returned by consumers to and collected by Tesco stores for conversion by Plastic Energy into an optimal oil feedstock. This is combined with virgin material by Sabic to produce an alternative feedstock to manufacture recycled food-contact approved plastic pellets.
These are sent to an ISCC-certified Berry Global site for manufacturing into new Heinz Beanz Snap Pots after extensive trials led by Sabic, Berry Global and KraftHeinz to select the correct polymer compositions to achieve the challenging technical requirements. After use the Heinz Snap Pots can be recycled through kerbside collection.
By diverting, recovering and upcycling plastics which would otherwise have been sent to landfill or incineration, this first of its kind project helps to promote and support the move towards a circular economy.
“We are delighted the Heinz Beanz Snap Pots project has received this important award,” commented Jean-Marc Galvez, Berry CPI President, Berry Global. “It demonstrates how a collaborative approach across the entire value chain can deliver innovative circular packaging design.”
Jojo de Noronha, President Northern Europe at Heinz, said: “We’re proud to have teamed up with leading experts to bring this important innovation to our customers. Our hope is that this prompts an industry-wide look at what more can be done to address the lack of soft plastics being recycled in the UK, and we can, as a collective, get better when it comes to developing new packaging solutions that are good for both our consumers and for our planet.”
The Packaging Innovation Awards is the packaging industry’s premier awards competition, recognising the best in packaging design, encouraging advancements in sustainability and performance, and inspiring the next big ideas. The awards look for creations that challenge the accepted limits of what’s possible, showcase new technologies or techniques, and inspire future innovation.
Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett signature flavour BodyFuel™ sports drink launched
Since its launch in December 2022, BodyFuel™ has been a resounding success for Applied Nutrition, with the company selling 2.5m units in its first three months on sale. In the last month, it has also been revealed that BodyFuel™ has outsold all other soft drinks at a major nationwide retailer.
The new sugar-free tropical punch flavoured drink is emblazoned with a cartoon version of Paddy’s famous pose that UFC fans worldwide are very familiar with, and a highly distinctive black and red pack design that’s sure to stand out on the shelves and in the fridges of retailers, gyms and convenience stores across the country.
Applied Nutrition launched BodyFuel™ with Orange, Lemon and Lime and Summer Fruits variants before quickly following that up in February with Icy Blue Raz, a firm favourite in many of their other supplements, and the unique Rocket Ice Lolly flavour.
Paddy Punch is the first flavour to be designed alongside one of the company’s ambassadors and the firm says it has plans for more exciting flavour partnerships in the coming months.
Applied Nutrition has also ensured it has a secure and reliable supply chain in place to keep retailers stocked as it expects a huge demand for Paddy Punch.
Ahead of its launch (Monday 27th March) Paddy Pimblett said: “Working together with Applied Nutrition on Paddy Punch has been a top experience for me, we tested so many flavour combinations and we think we have ended up with one that people are going to love.
“It tastes unreal! And I’m made up to put my name on such an amazing drink.”
Body Fuel contains 665mg of electrolytes from a multitude of sources, in levels that Applied Nutrition says are the optimum ratio needed to aid muscle function, and rehydration and support most consumers in the widest variety of activities.
In addition, BodyFuel™ is Informed Sport tested so it is safe for professional athletes, it’s sugar free, less than 5 calories, contains anti-oxidant vitamins C&E, vitamin D and Zinc, a full panel of B-vitamins and 250mg of BCAAs to support recovery.
Dan Warburton, Applied Nutrition’s National Account Controller said: “We’ve seen the continued demand for functional drinks the last 18 months and we’ve responded to these insights with action through the launch of products like BodyFuel™, creating tasty drinks with a variety of health benefits.
“BodyFuel™ came to market to support the demand, and we’ve been blown away by the response from shoppers. We’re delighted to have worked with Paddy on such a popular product and can’t wait for consumers to get their hands on Paddy Punch. It has been our most successful new product launch and we’re excited to see the growth over the next 12 months.”
Bakery’s £1.5m expansion as it prooves track record for success
An independent, family-owned Surrey bakery is tripling its footprint to support the growing demand for its expertly crafted artisanal bread, savoury and sweet treats.
Cavan Bakery has moved into a new 15,000 sq ft purpose-built baking facility in Walton-on-Thames with the support of a £1.5m funding package from Lloyds Bank.
The business, which also has 13 bakery shops across Surrey and South London, and a café at Molesey Boat Club, produces 40 different types of bread each day and 30 different pastries, buns and cakes, alongside snacks such as sausage rolls and sandwiches. The majority of Cavan Bakery’s speciality breads are sourdoughs, made by skilled artisan bakers every night and early morning, as has been the case since 1929. The bakery produces 15 different breads daily. In total over 80,000 products are supplied into its shops and cafés as well as wholesale to local businesses each week.
The new bakery is almost three times larger than its previous 5,200 sq ft space and offers greater capacity to store ingredients and boost production. The fit-out of the former warehouse was designed by the business to create the customised space required to deliver its ambitions to grow. Amid increasing demand for ethical, locally-produced artisanal food, Cavan Bakery is now looking to open at least another three shops this year.
Cavan Bakery employs around 180 people from the local area, and the business sees investing in a contemporary, purpose-built production environment as essential for attracting and retaining talent. This included investing in new machinery to help reduce running costs and become more efficient. For example, it has reduced the number of ovens it needs, by investing in larger, more efficient models to produce its goods. The business is also exploring electrifying its fleet of delivery vehicles, having recently invested in its first electric van.
In addition to its retail outlets, the business supplies over 100 wholesale customers in the area, including local cafés, restaurants and farm shops, which accounts for around 15% of its total business. Ingredients for its products are sourced as locally as possible to reduce food miles, and any surplus food is donated to local community kitchens, food banks, homeless shelters and breakfast clubs.
Jeff Greenall, Director at Cavan Bakery, said: “We’re really privileged that we’ve been able to grow at a strong and steady rate, particularly over the last decade as people have discovered the craft of skilled artisan bakers who provide quality and diverse goods. We are proud to provide our customers with local, sustainably-sourced products.
“People are at the heart of our success. This includes our fabulous staff and our loyal customers.
In return, we want to create the best products possible at an affordable cost. Our new bakery and shops will ensure that, because quality is baked into everything we do – literally.”
Victoria Vawdrey, Relationship Director at Lloyds Bank, said: “Cavan Bakery is an excellent example of a business that puts its customers at its heart. Jeff and the team ensure that new products, as well as beloved staples, are produced with the love and care that customers appreciate in artisan producers. In particular, it’s so encouraging to see a business giving back to the community too, supporting local initiatives and helping to create a fairer world. We’re proud to be by Cavan Bakery’s side, and we look forward to remaining there as it continues to grow.”
3 pros and 2 cons of logistics outsourcing
As a business owner or manager, you’ve got a lot of responsibilities. You have to find and manage customers, supervise employees’ tasks, monitor the performance of your marketing strategies, and attend business meetings. And above all, there’s a logistic function which is one of the backbones of the success of your business.
Doing all the tasks of your business can be overwhelming. Some areas of the company might be more demanding and time-consuming. And if you aren’t careful, you might compromise some areas for others. Therefore, your company will barely experience growth. Fortunately, you can outsource some functions and find more time to manage your business. One of these is to outsource your logistics.
An Overview Of Logistics Outsourcing
Logistics outsourcing is the practice of hiring a third-party company to handle your various business supply chain functions. These include processing orders, handling materials, warehousing, inventory management, packaging, and transporting finished goods to customers.
The service provider you hire to manage your business supply chain department is known as a third-party logistics (3PL) firm. Such a company will use its warehouse to provide you with all the supply chain or logistics services. It can handle all the supply chain issues, including logistics planning, procurement, and customer service.
Pros Of Logistics Outsourcing
When it comes to logistics outsourcing, some business owners are reluctant to work with third-party companies. Little did they know they were losing a great opportunity to enhance operational efficiencies and company growth. There are several benefits of logistics outsourcing. They include the following:
- It Allows You To Save Money
- It Gives Quick Access To Technology
- It Provides Scalable Solutions
- The Transfer Of Responsibility
- The Risk Of Company Information Leak
Fast-track hire filtration service
The decision to invest valuable CAPEX into untested High Value Equipment carries risks and fears that are typically a step too far for most companies and individuals. Will the equipment work? Is it the right solution? Will it ultimately be a waste of company funds? These are all questions that stop CAPEX purchases in their tracks on a regular basis.
Filtration specialists Axium Process now have the answer to these questions, with the launch of a membrane separation rental service developed specifically to bypass traditional concerns and provide a fast-track solution. Axium’s new service is a valuable resource for fast or temporary technical filtration solutions that would normally involve time-consuming research and risky commitments to large capital investment.
Offering great flexibility and suitable for many liquid processing applications, Axium’s UF2Go and RO2Go crossflow systems have been developed for rapid filtration solutions. Backed up with extensive technical expertise, Axium can fulfill high-priority requirements swiftly from their range of universally adaptable membrane filtration options.
The UF2Go and RO2Go systems have been designed to meet industrial scale demand for most types of liquid processing requirements – with environmental concerns top of the list.
“The UF2Go and RO2Go crossflow systems provide an exceptionally practical solution for urgent filtration needs,” says Derek Davies, Business Development Director at Axium Process. “Both systems are available through a rental model typically using OPEX, which bypasses the usual CAPEX restrictions but allows observation of long-term trends. It’s ideal for situations where a permanent installation may be required at a future point.”
Quick to install and easy to use, there are a vast array of applications for Axium’s systems across many different industries, including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, dairy and water recycling.
From the removal of suspended solids and organic impurities to wastewater recovery, high-value protein extraction, or even to support occasional high-demand situations, the versatile concept is built on reliable tried-and-tested technology used by multiple leading brands.
“Both the UF2Go and RO2Go are designed for easy deployment and minimal operator intervention, and each system can be up and running in a matter of hours,” says Derek. “During installation and commissioning, full operator training will be conducted by one of our engineers.”
“We are excited to offer this level of flexibility and support for our customers. We understand the need for businesses to find simple, cost-effective solutions for everyday problems, be it a planned intervention, emergency, or temporary requirement.”
Axium Process is one of the UK’s leading membrane filtration system manufacturers, specialising in Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration, Nanofiltration and Reverse Osmosis technology.