< Previous50 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PPMA 2021 The PPMA Show is the UK’s leading production line event for processing and packaging machinery. Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 28th-30th September 2021, the exhibition showcases the latest innovations in processing and packaging machinery and is attended by manufacturers of food, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and FMCG, contract packers and more. As the first major PPMA live event since September 2019, following the postponement of all live events in 2020 and early 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, exhibitors and visitors are getting ready to do face-to-face business. With a focus on supporting the processing and packaging communities with sustained business recovery following the challenges of the last year, PPMA Show 2021 will bring together over 250 exhibiting companies, offering businesses a long-overdue opportunity to see emerging technologies and explore the latest trends in the industry. Recent research conducted among PPMA’ audiences reveals a strong appetite for the live event, with 70% of respondents seeing trade shows as an essential platform for reviewing and making future product purchases. Leading exhibitors at the show include: Winkworth, Ulma, AVE, Evolution Bottling and Packaging, Mettler-Toledo, Ilpra, Holmach, Stellar- Technik, Endoline and Brillopak. Richard Little, Show Director of PPMA Show 2021 comments: “Although online platforms help people to gather information about products, our research shows that visitors want to move on from virtual product launches and events to get closer to the technology- hands-on and to speak face-to-face with product and application experts. The appetite for investment is definitely there, as well as the enthusiasm to resume business as usual. We’re setting out to support our community’s business recovery.” Renowned by the industry as a platform for launching new products, the 2021 show will be no exception, with multiple exhibitors announcing plans ahead of the show: Subtitle: COVID precautions Participants can rely on all the necessary health and safety precautions relating to COVID and, to reassure visitors with regards to cleanliness and safety, the NEC has introduced PPMA Show 2021 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 12:35 Page 1Food & Drink International 51 www.fdiforum.net UK aftersales spares and service support provided. www.robopac.co.uk Robopac, Unit 7 – 8 Highfield Parc, Highfield Road, Oakley, Bedfordshire, MK43 7TA Tel: 01234 825050 Fax: 01234 827070 Email: sales Turntable Wrapping Machines Rotating Arm Wrapping Machines Case Sealers & Erectors Self-Propelled Robot Wrapping Machines Horizontal Wrapping Machines See us at Stand J60 See us at Stands H62 and J60 advanced cleaning measures and hand sanitising stations are located at all entrances of the NEC and at numerous locations around the venue. Physical touchpoints will be reduced throughout the show and there is also ample outdoor space at the NEC for visitors wanting to get some fresh air and to take a break from the exhibition floor during their visit. There will, of course, be differences in the way the 2021 event runs compared to previous years. For example, on-site catering provisions have been modified and we’re also advising visitors travelling to the show to limit what they bring. Pre-registration will be compulsory for all visitors this year register and visitors should follow the latest local guidance at the time of the show with regards to face masks, isolating and symptoms to ensure the safety of themselves and others in attendance. PPMA 2021 To register for your free visitor badge, visit the PPMA Show website at: www.ppmashow.co.uk 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 12:35 Page 2Robatech At this year’s PPMA show the Robatech team will be presenting a new dimension in adhesive application: high-performing, energy-saving and robot-assisted. This will be the first opportunity for visitors to see Robatech’s smart, new Vision Melter. In combination with the new Performa Heated Hose and the SpeedStar Compact Application Head, demanding packaging can be glued quickly, efficiently and with high precision. Based in Basildon, Essex, Robatech Gluing Technology are the exclusive distributors of genuine Robatech equipment, spare parts and service to customers in UK and Ireland. With high quality hot-melt and cold gluing systems for packaging, graphics, automotive, building, woodworking, pharmaceutical and many other industries, the local Robatech team will be on hand at the show to discuss your gluing requirements and challenges. Tel: +44 (0)1268 490 035 Web: www.robatechGT.com Email: info@robatechGT.com Stand: E60 52 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PPMA 2021 HERMA In recent years food and drinks businesses have become more and more automated as many recognise that automation can help with better quality control whilst improving safety and increasing output. At their facilities in Suffolk, HERMA is supporting this adaptation with its onsite design and manufacture of easy to operate automated labelling systems. If you feel it’s time to consider automating your labelling process why not visit HERMA at the PPMA Show in Birmingham on stand C42 this September where they will be introducing their newest innovative solution to the HERMA range, or alternatively, contact the company on the details below to discuss further. Tel: +44 (0)1440 763366 Web: www.herma.co.uk Email: sales@herma.co.uk Stand: C42 Mettler-Toledo Intelligent Production Solutions will be the focus of the Mettler- Toledo stand where the company’s Product Inspection, Industrial Weighing and Service Divisions will together display new technology for the engineering, and food & pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors. New product inspection innovations on show will be a metal detection system, which brings advanced sensitivity and smart intelligence to an entry level detection platform. Plus, a ‘triple combination’ checkweighing metal detection system with Product Data Check smart camera. The Industrial Weighing Division will display SmartShelf – a real- time inventory management system based on load cell weighing – the Portion Control System, which enhances efficiency and production quality in food assembly lines. Service experts will be on hand to discuss how purchasing a Mettler-Toledo machine means also benefiting from the added value of dedicated service technicians. A comprehensive portfolio of support services such as remote and preventative maintenance is ideally positioned to help ensure that machine performance remains compliant with regulations and standards. Tel: +44(0) 116 235 7070 Web: www.mt.com Email: enquire.mtuk@mt.com Stand: H70 RMGroup Leading robotics and automation company, RMGroup, will be using this year’s PPMA show to demonstrate a collaborative cell, consisting of the compact ABB IRB 460 - the world’s fastest palletising robot - together with an omnidirectional platform AGV for automated pallet handling. To accompany the robots, RMGroup will also be showcasing their Easy Teach 2 programming software, which will be demonstrated to visitors via a remote HMI screen. Developed in response to the need for a simple user friendly interface platform, Easy Teach 2 allows users who have no robot programming experience, to create programs, and configure pallet stacks for individual products. RMGroup’s recently updated bespoke software, gives enhance flexibility to new packaging formats and is particularly suitable for FMCG and food and drink warehousing environments. Operating within the fully guarded cell, the IRB 460 is perfect for end-of-line palletising and bag palletising applications. Tel: +44 (0)1686 621704 Web: wwww.rmgroupuk.com Email: sales@rmgroupuk.com Stand: G50 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 12:35 Page 3 !"#$%&'()#(*' 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 12:35 Page 4Advanced Engineering MIDDLETON LTD l Inline High Shear Mixer l Top Entry High Shear Immersion Mixer l Bottom Entry High Shear Mixer l Sealed Bearing Mixer l 3 Stage High Shear Mixer l Dispersion Mixer l Fluid Mixers l AdPro mixer design and technology Trent Industrial Estate | Duchess Street || Shaw | Lancs | OL2 7UT | UK t: +44 (0)1706 759003 | e: info@aemixers.com | w: www.aemixers.com mixing is our business See us at Stand No. C11 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 12:35 Page 5Food & Drink International 55 www.fdiforum.net PPMA 2021 •Stainless steel conveyor systems •Standalone units or fully integrated •Robotic and end of line equipment •Bespoke engineering capabilities •Turnkey and standalone solutions •Integration and project management •Service support and upgrades •Partnered with Lita Palletising Systems for over 30 years Kensal Handling Systems www.kensal.com | sales@kensal.com | tel: +44 (0) 1 582 425 777 Kensal Handling Systems Ltd, Kensal House, President Way, Luton, LU2 9NR Sealed Air Sealed Air will be showcasing its range of automated protective and food packaging solutions at this year’s PPMA show. The new SEALED AIR® brand FasFil® Jr paper void fill system has been specifically designed to combine all the key performance features that enable companies to confidently increase their packaging outputs from low to medium capacity. Another exciting addition to be revealed on the stand will be the new SEALED AIR® brand Bubble Wrap Inflator. This all-in-one system creates on-demand inflatable bubble bags on a roll, for void-fill, cushioning, wrapping or inflatable pouches, using over 80 types of BUBBLE WRAP® brand materials. Companies looking to increase their levels of automation would benefit from viewing the popular range of AUTOBAG® brand automated packing solutions, including systems designed to improve productivity in mail order fulfilment and primary packing solutions. E-commerce retailers and 3PLs will be particularly interested to see SEALED AIR® brand Korrvu® suspension and retention packaging in action. Tel: +44(0) 800 1488 700 Web: www.sealedair.co.uk Email: info-pack@sealedair.com Stand: C40 Winkworth Winkworth will be using this year’s PPMA to promote an innovative new compact mixer based on a ribbon blender concept, the UTS. Aimed at growing businesses, particularly food production firms looking to add scalability to their operations, the UTS provides an affordable mixer solution, working on the premise that low cost does not have to mean low quality. Available in either a 100L or 240L capacity, and with short lead times, the competitively priced UTS operates off three phase (or simple single phase option) supply, providing a food-grade, hand- loading and hand-discharge, versatile solution. Easy to maintain and with low running costs, Winkworth has added a 5-year mechanical warranty as part of the deal, making the complete package an attractive option for those looking to upscale their output. (Subject to T&C’s) Also on stand will be the latest design developments to Winkworth’s refiners range, which includes hinged and retractable options to provide easier maintenance and cleaning. Tel: +44(0) 1256 305 600 Web: www.mixer.co.uk Email: info@mixer.co.uk Stand: A40 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 15:10 Page 656 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PPMA 2021 Penn Packaging A pouch is the ideal medium for packing food: it offers a safe and hygienic method of packing in a variety of forms, designs and materials. Furthermore, pouches are light, easy to transport, non- breakable and re-sealable. Of course, hygiene is most important during the process of filling, so SN has developed its proven technology further with ultra clean and hygienic filling technologies. Additionally, SN is now closely working in collaboration with film material suppliers to utilize the latest advances in compostable and bio-degradable pouches. Tel: +44(0) 1473 893990 Web: www.penn-packaging.co.uk Email: contact@penn-packaging.co.uk Stand: A34 Brillopak At PPMA 2021, Brillopak will showcase its newest award- winning and affordable UniPAKer robotic crate packing platform, launching its most compact and energy-efficient system to-date. By lowering compressed air consumption in the generation of vacuum by up to 45%, the overall carbon footprint of the system is significantly reduced. The single dual head crate packing cell simultaneously reduces supply chain waste by minimising damage to protective ready meal films. Taking the lead to reduce automation carbon emissions and meet the UK’s new 2050 Net Zero targets, Brillopak has re-engineered the UniPAKer’s compressed air pressure system and end-effector vacuum generators. Creating sustainable value across the entire packing cycle, by adopting this ‘whole system air flow approach’ and improved control and distribution of air, Brillopak reports a 10% reduction in power usage compared to previous models in the series. With a 10% smaller footprint than earlier UniPAKer generations, one cell can handle multiple product types and place into crates in multiple patterns. Tel: +44 (0)1622 872907 Web: www.brillopak.co.uk Email: technicalsales@brillopak.co.uk Stand: K80 Sovereign Labelling Machines was established in Essex back in 1993, since then it has grown to become a brand widely recognised for its design & manufacture of top-quality, reliable labelling & sleeving machinery across many industries and across the world. This success is the product of a strong determination to maintain a standard that exceeds expectation - we call this The Sovereign Standard. Our, unique, fully stainless-steel systems are designed to suit even the harshest of production environments with the renowned benefit of minimal on-going maintenance costs, ensuring that production lines all over the world can operate at the highest level, with the most reliable and efficient outcome. Sovereign Labelling Machines became part of the ENE Group in 2018 and has continued to succeed both in terms of capabilities and expertise, while still maintaining the high standard that has been associated with the brand since its early days. Its bespoke & innovative machinery is now manufactured at our state-of-the-art facility in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, which is equipped with the latest CNC laser cutting, milling and turning machinery. It also boasts one of the finest stainless-steel fabrication facilities in the country that is the epitome of tailor-made engineering. Tel: +44 (0)1206 304182 Web: www.sovereign-labelling.co.uk Email: sales@sovereign-labelling.co.uk See us on stand G74 OMRON Responding to food producers’ end-of-line labour challenges including staff shortages, social distancing measures and self-isolation, OMRON UK will debut its game changing cobot palletiser, the RB1200, at PPMA Show 2021. Thanks to OMRON’s renowned iAutomation proprietary technology, the cobot system boasts a 50% cost saving, rapid delivery within weeks and plug-and-play system architecture to help food producers of all budgets and sizes immediately de-risk their line against today’s unprecedented labour challenges. The RB1200 was developed in partnership with OMRON’s automation partner Reeco. Together, the two companies have designed a cobot palletiser that makes food producers more resilient to the detrimental effects of both labour shortages and the possibility of immediate workforce interruptions. Using OMRON’s 3i concept of intelligent, integrated and interactive engineering methods has dramatically shortened system design and delivery time resulting in a 50% cost reduction compared to same spec cobot palletisers. Tel: +44(0) 1908 258258 Web: www.omron.co.uk Email: oeeuk_sales@omron.com Stand: B34 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 12:36 Page 7AVE UK AVE UK will showcase two innovative solutions for the food & beverage sector at PPMA Show 2021 with the launch of its OMNIA B cross flow filtration system for brewers PLUS an unmissable mozzarella ball processing line for processing and dairy visitors. Designed to recreate the high-spec taste, presentation and texture of traditional Italian mozzarella within a modern UK setting, the mozzarella line comprises six individual systems. This will be the only opportunity to see the line in its entirety before it is delivered to London-based Italian mozzarella manufacturers, Fratelli Amodio, straight after the show. Also on display will be AVE’s revolutionary OMNIA B cross flow filtration system which delivers beer clarification, product recovery and microbiological stability in one single solution. Incorporating ceramic membrane technology with a five-year guarantee, this compact automated filter enables beer producers of all sizes to increase their yield by maximising product recovery from lees, as well as significantly limiting the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of brewery effluent. Tel: +44 (0)1252 733200 Web: www.aveuk.net Email: steve.bradley@aveuk.net Stand: B40 Food & Drink International 57 www.fdiforum.net PPMA 2021 FISCHBEIN FISCHBEIN has been developing its range of bag closing machines for over 100 years. Through the partnership with VOTECH, FISCHBEIN enhances its ability to offer fully automatic dosing, bagging and palletising lines, as well as pallet wrapping and stretch-hooders. The Votech brand is known for providing high-precision and hygienic solutions in the food and powder sectors such as milk, animal feeds, food flavours, flour milling, fertilisers, pellets, horticulture, and associated products. The company’s machines can fill different types of bags from 5 to 50 kg suitable for use with open-mouth bags, tubular or flat film, or a combination of both, and reliably, achieve a capacity of up to 1800 bags/hour, depending on product characteristics. On its PPMA stand, FISCHBEIN will be conducting the ‘UK-First’ launch of these innovate packaging line solutions, so don’t miss out of the opportunity to visit our stand, and discuss the possibilities available. Tel: +44 (0) 208 344 6600 Web: www.fischbein.com Email: salesuk@fischbein.com Stand: E34 Silverson Machines At this year’s PPMA show Silverson Machines will be launching a new version of the Silverson Flashmix, which is supplied with a powder feed wand attachment for powder incorporation, rather than the standard hopper. This enables the machine to suck powders into the mix straight from their original containers, minimising handling requirements. This is particularly useful for free-flowing powders which are prone to dusting, for example Aerosil. Other applications include sugars, salt and gums and thickeners such as pectin and starch. Visitors will also be able to see a working examples of the new FMX5, a laboratory scale version of Silverson’s production scale Flashmix mixers which was launched earlier this year and other mixers in the Silverson product range including Batch, Ultramix, Bottom Entry and Laboratory mixers. Tel: +44 (0)1494 786331 Web: www.silverson.co.uk Email: sales@silverson.co.uk Stand: G60 VEGA Ask any operator - level sensors doing the ‘simplest’ jobs can cause big problems; overspills, feed supply run-outs or long hold-ups – especially when meeting the demands of modern processes and variations. The new VEGAPOINT 24 level switches are full of useful features. Out of the box thinking: Quick to deploy – the sensors operate with no set up needed Fits like a glove Simple, versatile process adaptors and front-flush design - perfect for cleaning and ‘pigging’ systems. Light up your life Super-bright 360° LED process status with a, easily visible from afar. VEGAPOINT 24 ensures optimum visibility and reliability – delivering durability, low life-cycle costs, and clear indication, for truly ground-breaking and reliable point-level switching. Test a device for yourself, or to get more information e-mail demo.uk@vega.com. Tel: +44 (0)1444 870055 Web: www.vega.com/uk Email: info.uk@vega.com Stand: D84 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 12:36 Page 858 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PPMA 2021 - HAZEL 4D Q&A How are plastic and packaging taxes driving change in the industry? Like them or loathe them, Government taxes are playing a key role in reducing plastic usage in the packaging industry. Chief amongst these is the new Plastic Packaging Tax that is due to come into effect in April 2022. Essentially, this tax will apply to any plastic packaging manufactured – or imported – into the UK that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic. It will therefore provide another huge incentive for companies to reduce the plastic used in their packaging processes, and for plastic producers to invest more in R&D around recycled product. On the topic of taxes, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is rapidly becoming a major concern for packaging users. Can you tell us more about this tax and what it means for the industry? At present, the various stakeholders involved in packaging – from the manufacturers to the packaging users - are all required to purchase Packaging Recovery Notes (PRN’s) to contribute to the cost of recycling packaging. However, this is set to change with the introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, which are due to come into effect in 2023. EPR is a bit of a dirty phrase in the market as not much is yet known about it but, as you’ve said, it’s fast becoming a big concern for packaging companies. What we do know is that the new regulations will shift the full cost of collecting household waste from the taxpayer to producers, in an effort to encourage a more circular economy for packaging - whereby larger percentages of recyclable waste are reprocessed into valuable, high-quality secondary resources. In practice, this change will affect the ‘Packaging producers’ which, under UK legislation, are the companies placing the packaging on the market – so essentially the brand owners or importers of the packaged products. For these businesses the changes in regulations will potentially be very significant and far reaching, and without thorough advance planning their costs could easily increase by around thirty times. This is therefore something that definitely needs careful planning, so at Hazel 4D we can assist with working through the process and providing advice and ideas on how to mitigate Q&A Lee Armstrong, Packaging Consultant & Marketing Director, Hazel 4D Food and Drink International recently spoke with Lee Armstrong, Packaging Consultant & Marketing Director at Hazel 4D, about plastic taxes, reducing plastic usage in pallet wrapping, and the unbeatable results delivered by bringing together Atlanta pallet wrapping machines and Extremus nano-tech wrap. 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 12:36 Page 9Food & Drink International 59 www.fdiforum.net PPMA 2021 - HAZEL 4D Q&A these additional costs. It’s worth noting that EPR levies will apply to packaging used in the previous calendar year, so it’s really important that companies are working on this now, in 2021. In essence, what the Government is doing with EPR is providing more incentives for the end user to actually request and explore alternative means of packaging because, at the end of the day, if the end user is looking for alternatives, then manufacturers will be forced to provide them. Pallet wrapping is one area where large quantities of single use plastic are consumed, so can pallet wrapping be achieved without plastic? Pallet wrapping is a huge source of plastic usage within the industry but there is currently no other viable pallet securing method available on the market that can ensure proper product protection and load stability. As has been seen elsewhere in the industry – where plastic packaging has been shown to prevent food waste – plastic pallet wrapping performs an important function that, at present, cannot be achieved any other way. From when the pallet is first loaded – either for warehouse storage or for transport – pallet wrap provides an effective hygiene barrier and ensures that product is protected from dust, dirt and moisture. Perhaps even more important, the wrap provides the load stability needed to get the pallet from A to B without it falling over with potentially devastating and expensive consequences. Heavy and unstable pallets moving on the back of a wagon when it has to brake in an emergency, for example, can be extremely dangerous. Statistics published by the European Safe Logistics Association (EUMOS) state that up to 16% of accidents with fatalities involve industrial vehicles, and one in four has cargo securing as a root cause. Hazel 4D is accredited by Eumos, and supports their campaign to drive awareness of unstable pallet loads in wagons – as it’s no exaggeration to say that, when used correctly, plastic pallet wrapping can not only protect food and drink products, but also help to prevent serious accidents. So, how can pallet wrappers reduce plastic in their process? We often find, when visiting a site or starting to get involved with a customer, that people don’t pay a lot of attention to the type of pallet wrap film they use or the quality and condition of their machinery. Often the film is a lot thicker than it needs to be and the machines are old or not maintained well. However, the combination of a decent quality stretch film and a good pallet wrapping machine can not only have a profound effect on efficiency but, when optimised correctly, can massively reduce the amount of plastic involved and the cost per pallet wrapped whilst simultaneously improving load stability. We love to demonstrate to customers how by bringing together the Atlanta pallet wrapping machine – which is at the top of its game in terms of technology and quality of machine – and Extremus, a nano technology film with up to sixty- seven layers, we can stretch the wrap by up to 400% so that 1 metre of film on the roll becomes five metres of film on the pallet. This means we’re fully optimising the film, thereby reducing plastic and cost, as well as improving load stability. We often demonstrate reductions of 70-80% in the amount of film used, and cost reductions of 45-50% per pallet and that’s before you start looking at labour savings. You mention labour savings, we’re hearing a lot in the marketplace currently about labour shortages, so labour saving has to be a good thing doesn’t it? Yes, we too are hearing the noise in the market about labour shortages, and that’s the added advantage of a fully optimized pallet wrapping process. With a pallet wrapping machine doing the work, you’ll remove at least one person per machine from the process, which is particularly good news at the moment. What’s more, machines are never late, they don’t ring in sick, and they don’t take holidays or lunch breaks! It really is a no brainer Bringing together the winning combination of Atlanta and Extremus is the obvious answer for anyone who is looking to reduce the amount of cost, plastic and labour they’re using in pallet wrapping. To find out more about the Atlanta / Extremus combination, visit www.hazel4d.com, email wecare@hazel4d.com, or call +44(0) 113 242 6999. Or visit us on stand D26 at PPMA. 50-63.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2021 12:36 Page 10Next >