< Previous20 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING Speed and efficiency have long been overarching aims for the food packing industry as populations swell and hungers for convenient pre-packaged food grow. Yet over the last ten years, the environmental impact of that same packaging has been called into question. More recently, emphasis has also been placed on hygienic machinery and product handling solutions, so now the burden is on packers not only to bolster speed and efficiency, but to do so in the most hygienic means possible whilst also utilising more sustainable materials and ensuring packaging can be recycled by end users. Although many companies take their own initiative to create more environmentally-friendly packaging solutions, there’s no denying that one of the biggest motivators here is regulatory. The European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive entered into force back in July 2019 with the aim of preventing and reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, marine environment and on human health. They also aim to promote the transition to a circular © stock.adobe.com/Soho A studio Packing solutions for life Food and Drink International explores the inherent environmental benefits of beverage cartons and paper sleeves and how regulation is driving change. 22 Á 20-24.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:47 Page 121_0224 When are you planning to reduce the plastic content in your packaging? Delipac can The time is now. Delipac - the sustainable, food safe and plastic free packaging solution. Available now. STOP Kicking the Can! www.denmaur.com/delipac including micro plastics? Can it be completely and universally recycled? Can it completely bio-degrade? Can it compost completely - either at home or industrially? Can it still sell and deliver your products and be convenient? SEE US AT THE NE C Hall 1, Stand B74, 16th and 17th Feb 2022 20-24.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:47 Page 222 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING economy with innovative and sustainable business models, products and materials. Ten single-use plastic products are being targeted, with more than half related to the food and drink industry: food containers; cups for beverages; beverage containers; cutlery, plates, straws & stirrers; packets & wrappers. The directive also includes a requirement for all single-use beverage containers to come with their caps attached by July 2024. The aim is to ensure that caps are disposed of and recycled together with the rest of the pack. Rather than putting the onus of end users and consumers, the responsibility will lie instead with manufacturers. Therefore, tethered caps have become an increasingly busy R&D space for beverage carton makers. Ahead of the curve was SIG Combibloc who launched a carton with tethered cap in 2021, three years ahead of these regulatory requirements. However, as with any new change in the law governing the size, shape, weight and design of a packaging product, companies must be aware of how redesigns can impact changes along the production line and supply chain. For example, a beverage carton with a tethered cap will require different production than one where the cap is applied separately at a different stage. There are also the logistical concerns to consider. By its very nature, a carton with a tethered cap is different than one without. © stock.adobe.com/kuahirao BAG SEALING MACHINES RM Sealers remain a leading British manufacturer and supplier of high quality Bag Sealing Machines, also known as Rotary Band Sealers and Impulse Sealers. Call 01442 843387 to speak to a member of our team SEALERS © www.rmsealers.co.uk 20-24.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:47 Page 3Food & Drink International 23 www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING Therefore, it may well need to be packed differently when being stacked on a pallet for delivery. Tethering the caps will, undoubtedly, improve the environmental profile and performance of beverage cartons, but that’s not to say that this packaging didn’t already have strong environmental credentials. While some may balk at this, claiming cartons fall very much in the problematic packaging camp, cartons have come a long way over the last decade. Last year, the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE) extolled the environmental benefits of beverage cartons by highlighting the impact of its members’ ongoing efforts to improve their environmental performance. The data is the result of using life cycle analysis as a tool to assess the environmental performance of products. It shows that the global warming potential (GWP) indicator for the liquid packaging board used to produce beverage cartons shows a twenty-seven per cent improvement compared to the previous data (2009/11), both due to reduced fossil energy use and decreased emissions in the liquid packaging board supply chain. Moreover, the data showed that the advancements in the converting process enhanced energy and resource efficiency, which led to a twenty per cent reduction of GWP 24 Á © SIG BENCHTOP BAG SEALING MACHINE IMPULSE BAG SEALING MACHINE HORIZONTAL BAG SEALING MACHINE VERTICAL BAG SEALING MACHINE 20-24.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:47 Page 424 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING © stock.adobe.com/kume1 11000 compared to 2009. Relevant improvements of between fifteen per cent and thirty-five per cent are also shown for other impact categories such as acidification, terrestrial and aquatic eutrophication, or particulate matter. A reduction of thirty per cent was achieved with regards to primary energy demand from non-renewable resources. Not content to rest of their laurels, that same year ACE and its members – SIG Combibloc, BillerudKorsnäs, Elopak, Stora Enso and Tetra Pak – set the industry’s vision for the future. Together, they aim to deliver the most sustainable packaging for resilient food supply systems which is renewable, climate positive and circular. Increasing the collection and recycling of beverage cartons to reach a ninety per cent collection rate and at least a seventy per cent recycling rate by 2030, and the decarbonisation of the industry’s value chain in line with the 1.5oC aligned science-based targets are included in the ten commitments. In line with the vision of ACE members, beverage cartons will be: made only from renewable and/or recycled material; fully recyclable and recycled; made entirely from sustainably sourced raw materials, and be the packaging solution with the lowest carbon footprint. Due to their inheritance versatility, ease of recycling and other advantages besides, paper sleeves are becoming an increasingly popular packaging option not only for major brands seeking differentiation but also for small-batch brands and start-ups. Sleeves also offer a solution to the dilemma faced by food packers – namely, reducing the environmental impact of food packaging whilst maintaining its on-shelf impact. Products can be easily and attractively branded using packaging sleeves, whilst also being cheaper than a custom box. They are also highly customisable, as well as fast and easy to produce, making them ideal for seasonal packaging or product variation. Crucially, they can be easily recycled by the end user, offering an attractive and environmentally-friendly and more visually impactful alternative to plastic sleeves, and solving that set of challenges touched upon at the beginning of this article. Speed and efficiency will remain king in food packaging production, but that’s not to say that they aren’t compatible with hygienic design and the environmental agenda. As can be seen by the innovations taking place in the food and drink packaging space, and the regulations coming into effect, these areas are aligning more closely than ever before. 20-24.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:47 Page 5www.fdiforum.net Plan your campaign with Food & Drink International… ...your competitors are! As marketing is the vital ingredient for the success and growth of any business, we can offer advice and packages to suit all budgets. Speak to one of our experienced account executives. 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Contact us below for our 2022 editorial schedule Call today on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email: v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk INTERNATIONAL Food&Drink Food &Drink I N T E R N Food Food &&& Food Food & N A T I O N &&Drin Drin Drin &&Drin A L nknknkk ahe The d y safety and a News Healltth, saf hygiene Pumps and nd fluids I N T E R N Food Food &&& Food Food & N A T I O N &&Drink Drink Drin &&Drink A L nknknkk inno Foc ovati io i News Packaging spotlight oading ba L ayy doors s yyss and I N T E R N Food Food &&& Food Food & N A T I O N &&Drin DrinDrin &&Drin A L nknknkk News ng and challeng Meeting Flavouring colouring ges colouring c e Software sp spotlight I N T E R N FoodFood &&& FoodFood & N A T I O N &&Drink DrinkDrin &&Drink A L nk nk nkk Beverages ellff The futu in foc The futu On the shel ture s in focus i s End off line packkaaging MINIMUM COST…MAXIMUM IMPACT! www.fdiforum.net 25.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:49 Page 126 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CONVEYING Conveying systems have been hailed as the workhorses of food and drink production and processing. Yet it was the pandemic that led to a major spike in market demand, as Food and Drink International explores. No two food products are quite the same, and this is true also of the plant where they were produced. Of course, there will be similarities, but the minutiae of manufacture will change from factory to factory. One thing that can be depended on, however, is the presence of conveyor systems. Within the necessity for materials handling is a myriad of different options to suit a variety of industry needs. Whatever the requirement, there exists with every choice the need to balance functionality and hygienic design. Stainless steel has long been the material of choice for food contact machinery owing to its hygienic profile and inherent strength, the fact it doesn’t degrade and, of course, that it’s robust enough to tolerate harsh daily washdown routines. Yet there’s more than the material itself to consider when it comes to hygiene, with recesses and ingresses needing to be minimised in order to prevent the build-up of foodstuffs occurring and to minimise the potential for cross-contamination. This ensures that food plants can conform and comply with hygiene rules, but also to a manufacturer’s individual sanitation specifications. Perpetual motion Perpetualmotion 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:51 Page 1Food & Drink International 27 www.fdiforum.net CONVEYING While the design and hygiene profile of the machines themselves are undeniably important, the belts used on conveyers can’t be overlooked. There’s a vast criterion that will govern what kind of belt is needed – changing from product to product, whether they are being flighted or transported horizontally and, crucially, whether they are pre-packed or loose products in direct contact with the belt. The function of each belt depends on numerous factors, from the width and thickness, but also the material it’s made from. This will massively depend on the function required, as opting for the wrong material can seriously impact efficiency, leading to everything from material degradation and belt breakages to foreign material contamination. Therefore, it’s vital that food manufacturers not only understand the unique needs of the materials they wish to convey, but ensure they invest in the right belts for the job. For example, a different belt material is required when conveying loose dried foodstuffs than sticky foods. Where the latter is concerned, there are a variety of polymers that are better suited to release products at a transfer. It’s no exaggeration that selecting the right material can help to increase yield and reduce carryover. When it comes to abrasive ingredients – such as sugar and coffee – a belt that isn’t manufactured specifically to withstand these products can become quickly worn and degraded. Selecting the right belt for the job can be daunting, as there’s such a dizzying array of options of both belts and conveying machines to pick from. There’s the aforementioned polymer- based belts, then there’s aluminium varieties and chains, not to mention © stock.adobe.com/I V iewfinder 28 Á 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:51 Page 228 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CONVEYING rollers and vertical belts that boast high grip surfaces to elevate boxes, bags and trays. When it comes to the machines themselves, there’s accumulation conveyors, assembly conveyors, screw conveyors and metal detecting varieties, to name but a few. Needless to say, it’s important to do your research. Fortunately, the best machinery makers and suppliers are only too happy to field questions and work with you to find the best belts and machinery to meet your needs. If off the shelf options won’t cut it, there’s also bespoke options to ensure maximum efficiency, throughput and yield. While the conveying market has been witnessing steady growth for years, the segment experienced a sudden rise in demand over the last few years in particular. Rather than natural growth coinciding with the pandemic, it was directly a result of the coronavirus crisis. The effect was three-fold. Firstly, closures of restaurants led to a major spike in demand for food – especially pre-packaged goods – in stores and supermarkets, leaving manufacturers investing more heavily in their conveying systems in order to meet this demand. Secondly, self-isolating and deaths meant that many manufacturers suffered from reduced workforces and labour shortages, therefore having few other options but to invest in automated systems in order to maintain production continuity and output. Thirdly, many food and drink manufacturers were facing a decline in market growth throughout the pandemic and, to circumvent this issue, adopted and invested in conveying systems to boost efficiency. With all that in mind, it’s no surprise that the market segment will continue to grow in the years to come. Indeed, Fortune Business Insights data predicts that it will reach $7.62 billion by 2028 (rising from $5.60 billion in 2021). This growth, it said, will be driven by the handling of large volumes of goods in manufacturing and warehousing operations as conveying systems constitute a significant part of materials handling systems. Owing to the incredible efficiency gains to be made, materials handling is ripe for automating. As well as replacing human workers – thus freeing them up for other core activities – there is an uptick in throughout capability, better space utilisation, increased production and inventory control, as well as reduced operating costs, improved stock rotation and improved worker safety. Thus, demand and necessity are continuing to drive growth, but also innovation in the conveying systems segment. Alongside a rise in demand over the next decade, there will also be an exciting flurry of new product development, ensuring that this so-called workhorse of the food production and processing is future proof and fit for purpose. © stock.adobe.com/DedMityay 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:51 Page 3Shady Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham, B44 9EU England Tel: +44 (0)121 360 0155 Fax: +44 (0)121 325 1079 For all your Power Transmission Solutions • Roller Chain • Gears & Sprockets • Timing Belt Drives • Clamping Elements • Inverted Tooth Chain • Inverted Tooth Sprockets • Sealmaster Bearings • Shaft Couplings • Freewheel Clutches • Torque Limiters • Overload Clutches • Sheargard Clutches The Driving Force In Power Transmission sales@crossmorse.com www.crossmorse.com Power Transmission Solutions Food & Drink International 29 www.fdiforum.net CONVEYING Cross+Morse is a Birmingham-based manufacturer of power transmission products and solutions with over 100 years of history. The company operate in a 5000m2 fully integrated factory with a dedicated and loyal staff who have amassed a depth of technical expertise and engineering experience over their many years of continued service. Innovation is highly valued at Cross+Morse, which is why the company constantly invests in new machinery and technology as well as training programmes and apprenticeships to maintain the highest standards of quality and service it is well known for. With its in-house team of application and design engineers at your disposal Cross+Morse can provide bespoke technical solutions to your power transmission problems in the most cost-effective way. Cross+Morse have a comprehensive line of corrosion resistant power transmission products. These products are engineered to perform in corrosive and contaminated environments and to help extend the life of the product and cut down on nuisance maintenance. Cross+Morse offer the following products which are suitable for washdown environments:- Stainless steel roller chain and attachments, Stainless steel sprockets, taper bushes, shaft clamping elements, McGill® cam followers, Sealmaster® bearings and gearboxes. Chain and attachments also available with nickel plating and aquaproof. Cross+Morse are certified to ISO 9001:2015 and have been for over 20 years. To find out more, visit www.crossmorse.com, email sales@crossmorse.com, or call +44 (0)121 360 0155. Cross+Morse – serving the industry for a century 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:51 Page 4Next >