< Previous20 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PACKAGING Europe are testing prototypes made from hemp, daisies and cocoa shells in a bid to eliminate difficult-to-recycle plastics within the next few years. These materials are fundamental, but they must work with new machinery too. The food packaging machinery market alone is forecast to hit USD 52 billion by 2025, as demand rises for convenience formats and intelligent traceability systems. A key development is machinery designed for flexible formats (single-serve pouches, resealable packs, and micro-portion trays) allowing producers to switch SKUs quickly with minimal downtime. Dairy processors, for example, are installing variable-speed, sensor-enabled fillers capable of handling multiple packaging types without changeovers. Modern lines also incorporate smart and active packaging systems. Oxygen and ethylene scavengers, embedded into films, prolong freshness. Digital and visual indicators, such as thermochromic inks and time-temperature indicators, signal breaches in the cold chain, offering both safety assurance and marketing appeal. Active antioxidant-release films have demonstrated shelf-life extension in trial packaging of fish and meat. QR codes and RFID chips are also increasingly mainstream, helping meet traceability and regulatory requirements while engaging consumers with product-level transparency. Design trends are shifting too. Minimalist, bold and emotionally resonant aesthetics, such as dopaminergic and vintage-inspired styles, are becoming commonplace, supported by smart labels that deliver transparency on sourcing, ingredients and ESG credentials. This response addresses a dual mandate: on-shelf impact and compliance with tightening labelling laws, particularly around nutritional claims and origin. Regulation is reinforcing these pressures. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, 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.ukFood & Drink International 21 www.fdiforum.net PACKAGING initially rolled out in the US, are now being mirrored globally. The UK and EU are standardising recycling infrastructure and deposit return schemes. In markets like California, recyclable or compostable pack mandates are already in effect. These policies demand smarter materials and machinery that can handle them reliably at scale. Automation and digital connectivity are underpinning this shift. Packaging machines now feature modular plug-and-play actuators, real-time condition monitoring, and AI-driven recipe changeovers, allowing lines to switch products in minutes while staying within hygiene and trace parameters. Cloud deployment means remote updates and predictive maintenance can be applied line- by-line, reducing risk and enhancing uptime. Flexibility is a commercial advantage. As product mixes proliferate, manufacturers must pivot quickly between formats. Packaging lines capable of multi-format runs allow smaller batches, faster innovation, and customisation, all without sacrificing efficiency or regulatory compliance. Sustainability remains non-negotiable. Material choices, recycling credentials and lifecycle emissions are now board-level concerns. Firms using mono-material, recyclable substrates or compostable innovations are rewarded by consumers, retailers and policy makers. Being able to document carbon, water and waste savings through digital workflows is now critical for ESG reporting. What emerges is a picture of packaging no longer being an afterthought. Today, materials innovation, smart machinery and design strategy are converging into systems that deliver brand differentiation, regulatory resilience, and environmental stewardship. This is no longer optional: packaging must be part of product strategy, capable of delivering efficiency, attraction and traceability, at the pace of modern markets. © stock.adobe.com/ Мар ' ян Філь © stock.adobe.com/ กาซือมะ สาและ BENCHTOP BAG SEALING MACHINE IMPULSE BAG SEALING MACHINE HORIZONTAL BAG SEALING MACHINE VERTICAL BAG SEALING MACHINE22 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net MEET THE EXPERTS E ngaging with experts is essential for firms operating in the food and drink industry, to make informed decisions, innovate, grow, and thrive in the face of significant headwinds. While company leaders may be expected to be the masters in their chosen field, whether it be packaging or food manufacturing, they cannot master everything, which is why it is important to tap into the knowledge of experts, from specialist engineers designing a more efficient processing line that is catered to your requirements to dynamic marketing agencies supporting a brand’s growth. However, with myriad people and businesses labelling themselves experts, how can one find a true specialist able to provide insights and guidance tailored to your needs? Online platforms and directories are often a first port of call when seeking an expert, although with many companies buying a membership to these resources, due diligence to back up claims of expertise and to ensure deep, essential industry experience is required. Looking for relevant certifications, expert Finding an With “experts” everywhere nowadays, how can a true specialist be found and their experience verified, to ensure they can provide the insight your business needs? 24 Á © stock.adobe.com/Quality Stock ArtsFood & Drink International 23 www.fdiforum.net Company Profile: MRPeasy is a powerful, easy-to-use ERP software designed for small manufacturers. Trusted by over 2,000 companies, MRPeasy helps food and beverage businesses manage production, inventory, traceability, quality, and costs – all in one affordable and intuitive platform. Product Profile: Scaling a food manufacturing operation comes with great challenges: ● tracking ingredient lots and product batches ● preventing stockouts and overstocking ● balancing capacity with demand ● ensuring quality ● monitoring production costs MRPeasy is built to solve those challenges. Our software provides real-time visibility into production, inventory, purchases, sales, and finances – all without the cost and complexity of traditional enterprise software. With MRPeasy, food manufacturers can gear up production while improving efficiency, reducing waste, and controlling costs. Join 2,000+ companies that have already made the switch. Whether growing from a kitchen startup or expanding your factory, MRPeasy supports you every step of the way. 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Based in west Yorkshire, Microsearch has extensive expertise in the areas of Microbiology, Chemistry & Nutritional as well as Allergen & species testing. The company has been providing services to food manufacturers for over 40 years. Providing the best service possible to our clients is key to our success. We provide a broad range of accredited services along with expert technical support. Microbiology ‒ Pathogen detection, food spoilage organisms, shelf-life analysis, challenge testing, rapid pathogen screening ▶ Chemistry & Nutritional ‒ Group 1, Group 2, Meat content, Hydroxyproline, Mycotoxins, LIDL prelisting reports ▶ Allergen and Species - All 14 UK allergens, 8 meat species screen, GMO services, fish speciation ▶ Added Value ‒ Bespoke IT systems for submission and reporting, Technical support across all services, training, and advice ▶ 01422 405678 sales@micro-search.co.uk PART OF PRODUCT PROFILECOMPANY PROFILE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? CONTACT OUR EXPERT Danny Franklin Managing Director Tel: +44 (0)20 8944 8121 Visit www.endecotts.com Email us on info@endecotts.com Company profile: Endecotts is a leading manufacturer of precision test sieves and sieve shakers, trusted in laboratories and production facilities worldwide. With over 80 years of experience, we offer equipment and support for accurate particle size analysis across industries. Our focus is on consistency, compliance, and dependable results every time. Product profile: Endecotts test sieves and sieve shakers are built for precision, durability and ease of use. Each sieve is individually inspected and supplied with a certificate of compliance to ISO 3310 or ASTM E11. Our sieve shakers suit everything from light lab testing to demanding industrial applications. We also offer ultrasonic cleaners, brushes, calibration samples and a full re-certification service to help users maintain accuracy and meet regulatory requirements. Whether you're working in pharmaceuticals, food, construction, cosmetics or agriculture, Endecotts products provide reliable, repeatable results that help keep your process on track.24 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net MEET THE EXPERTS memberships and affiliations and detailed reviews and testimonials is crucial. Many businesses are proud to highlight these on their homepages to show off their credentials, sometimes with case studies. To validate these, professional networks like LinkedIn are invaluable, providing the ability to connect with other people to ask their thoughts on or experiences with a supplier. Platforms such as LinkedIn can even be a good starting point for identifying an expert, offering search features to filter professionals by industry, location and experience, as well as other criteria. Upon connecting with an individual or visiting their profile, you can further see what insights they are sharing on the platform, as well as what topics they have been tagged and endorsed as experts on by other LinkedIn users to assess if they might fit your requirements. Connecting with professional organisations and associations in the field you are looking for can also be useful, to find specialised consultants or recommendations, while attending industry events presents a great venue to meet and network with experts, whether they be other attendees, exhibitors, or speakers and panellists. In the case of the latter, attending their appearances at the event can be a good way to narrow down if they are worth engaging with. To further gain an understanding of how expert an expert is, one should arrange an in- person visit or a call to discuss your needs and their experience. Though it can be a time-consuming process, it offers a prime opportunity to ask about their background, skills, approach, timelines, costs, and for references. One of the simplest methods to find and validate experts, however, is to start with people you know and trust. This may be to complete the work itself or to facilitate introductions to potential experts. Ask colleagues and fellow professionals if they are aware of any experts in the area you require help with. With the approval of someone you trust, that has worked with the expert in the past, you can more confidently enter a new relationship with a specialist expecting a successful result. Doing your own checks on this person or firm is still recommended, to ensure they are the right expert to solve your needs. With the right expert — whether it be a food testing laboratory, hygienic engineering company, cybersecurity firm, or recruitment agency — they should benefit your business actively, not only offering the necessary service, but deep, specialist knowledge, strategic guidance, new perspectives, innovative solutions, and heightened levels of efficiency that can solve and prevent problems or provide the insight to allow a business to run more effectively. © stock.adobe.com/auremarwww.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. CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO? • Print • Online • E-Newsletters • Regular News • Topical Features The perfect medium to give your brand the best chance of being seen! Contact us below for our 2025 editorial schedule Call today on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email: a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk INTERNATIONAL INTERN NATION AL chal Ope lle tin l dchilled dcosur rFoozen and c fooods Caps and cl ain y upplS lyy cha spotlight INTERN NATI O N AL Sustainabl e pack kaging ngand n e practic Sustainab r W a eehousin distribution b distribution ution e tur e contr o l practices emperTe aatur spotlight INTERN NATI O N Neewws hallenge Up to the Col c INTERN NATI O N AL I nno G re o v a ti nmena d I En vir onmen spotlight Contr ool and Impor rt and aut omation xpor d rt ation MINIMUM COST…MAXIMUM IMPACT! www.fdiforum.net 26 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net COLD STORAGE A cross the food and drink supply chain, the stakes have never been higher in cold chain. From farm to factory, warehouse to retailer, companies are under pressure to ensure perishable goods remain safe, compliant and high quality at every stage. Cold storage is central to that mission, and it’s evolving fast. Recent years have brought a convergence of pressures: tighter food safety regulation, greater public scrutiny, more complex supply networks and heightened customer expectations. In parallel, innovation in storage design, monitoring technology, automation and hygiene management is redefining what good looks like in temperature-controlled logistics. Those that fail to modernise risk more than operational disruption, risking brand damage, regulatory action and lost market confidence. At the heart of the issue is traceability. Food producers and distributors must maintain correct temperatures and also prove they’ve done so consistently. This is especially critical for items like fresh meat, dairy, ready meals and seafood, where even brief deviations can compromise product safety. Modern cold storage facilities are increasingly built around this need. Warehouse environments now rely on automated temperature control systems linked to real-time tracking dashboards. These maintain the right conditions and record them continuously, with alerts for any deviations. Temperature sensors, placed throughout the storage zone, offer granular How cold storage is raising the bar for food safety As regulations tighten and expectations rise, cold storage is becoming a critical control point. From automation to hygiene-first design, innovation is reshaping how the industry stays cold, clean, and compliant. How cold storage is raising the bar for food safety Food & Drink International 27 www.fdiforum.net COLD STORAGE © stock.adobe.com/Terablete visibility across zones, shelves and even individual pallets. Automation continues to raise standards in cold storage, with AGVs playing a growing role in improving hygiene, consistency, and throughput. Modern units use LiDAR and vision-based navigation to operate independently and integrate with warehouse systems to optimise stock movement and reduce contamination risk. With the global AGV market projected to reach nearly USD 8 billion by 2031, their role in maintaining traceable, efficient, and compliant cold chain operations is only set to grow. Hygiene remains a core priority, particularly in chilled and frozen zones where condensation, packaging residues and foot traffic can become vectors for contamination. The most advanced facilities are now designed with hygiene built in. That means sloped floors for drainage, antimicrobial wall coatings, touchless doors, and zoned workflows that separate raw and finished products. In many cases, the emphasis has shifted from cleaning schedules to cleanability itself. The push toward improved compliance is being driven by regulators, retailers and global supply chain partners. Third-party audits, food safety certifications, and digital compliance logs are increasingly required as part of supplier agreements. Cold storage operators must demonstrate that their processes align with food safety standards 28 Á28 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net COLD STORAGE such as BRCGS, ISO 22000 or HACCP. For many, this now involves investing in integrated management systems that combine temperature monitoring, hygiene logs, pest control records and maintenance schedules in a single platform. Transport, too, is seeing a transformation. Refrigerated vehicles are no longer judged solely by their ability to keep food cold. Now, real-time tracking, remote temperature control, and digital delivery verification are fast becoming the standard. Fleet operators are deploying GPS-enabled telematics that show not just where a load is, but whether it has stayed within its temperature window throughout the journey. Some systems even allow temperature adjustments in transit— ensuring more precise handling of sensitive cargo and reducing waste caused by thermal shock or spoilage. Sustainability pressures are also reshaping cold storage strategies. While maintaining strict temperature control is non-negotiable, the energy intensity of refrigeration systems has come under scrutiny. To respond, operators are adopting more efficient cooling technologies, including CO2-based refrigeration, variable-speed compressors, and advanced insulation systems. Solar integration and thermal energy storage are also being explored, particularly in high- demand depots. With global supply chains still feeling the aftershocks of COVID-19, Brexit, and ongoing geopolitical tension, resilience is also a core theme. Cold storage capacity must now be flexible, scalable and geographically responsive. Some businesses are moving towards decentralised networks of regional hubs to reduce delivery time, increase agility, and provide contingency options during disruption. For businesses handling high volumes of perishable goods, cold storage is now a strategic asset. The cost of investment in automation, monitoring and compliance systems is often offset by reductions in waste, improved audit outcomes, and better customer retention. Perhaps more importantly, robust cold storage capabilities protect a company’s licence to operate. A © stock.adobe.com/pamungkasFood & Drink International 29 www.fdiforum.net COLD STORAGE single breach, if it results in illness or recall, can cost more than any long-term capital upgrade. Technology alone, however, isn’t enough. Cold storage operations must be supported by trained teams who understand the science of food safety, the principles of hygienic design, and the specifics of regulatory compliance. Human oversight remains essential, especially when managing product diversity or responding to unexpected faults. Many operators are now investing in regular staff training and digital upskilling to ensure that systems are used effectively, and risks are understood at every level of the organisation. As the cold chain becomes more data-driven, so too does accountability. The ability to prove compliance is as important as compliance itself. Whether a business is shipping fresh produce to retailers or storing high-risk ready meals ahead of distribution, the systems they rely on must deliver clean, consistent and fully traceable outcomes.Next >