< Previous20 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT Social distance products businesses safely 02476 420065 all. Instead, the emphasis should be on creating more sustainable, eco-friendly and, crucially, recyclable packaging. Yet there’s no denying that fresh produce is an area which needs to lower its reliance on plastic packaging. One of the most exciting solutions in this regard is edible coatings, which can be applied on the surface of Herma host Virtual Factory Acceptance Tests There are many advantages to self- adhesive labelling. In comparison to other methods, self- adhesive labels are easy to apply, resilient and when used alongside a labelling machine, make for a significantly faster and more reliable product labelling process. Easy to use, Herma’s Labelling Machines feed self-adhesive labels from a reel via an applicator, placing labels swiftly and precisely onto the product. Herma design and manufacture labelling systems in the UK, which has proven to be particularly beneficial to customers who require a system urgently during this challenging time. Whether providing machines immediately from their comprehensive stock, or manufacturing a bespoke solution, Herma are pleased to help customers meet an increase in demand for their product. At its manufacturing facilities in Suffolk, Herma are currently adapting processes to allow them to conduct live virtual Factory Acceptance Tests, enabling customers to clearly view the performance of their system prior to delivery. To find our more, visit www.herma-labellingmachines.co.uk. 16-22.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2020 16:04 Page 5Food & Drink International 21 www.fdiforum.net PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT M&S launch Percy Pig sweetie jar packaged by Croxsons M&S has recently launched a bespoke 1kg glass Percy Pig styled sweetie jar designed and produced by leading glass packaging company, Croxsons. Usually sold in individual packets, the launch of a collectable glass jar of Percy Pig sweets has been a real treat for adults and children alike. Having a long-standing relationship with M&S, both directly and through their supply chain, Croxsons were asked to supply the glass packaging for the launch, together with an on-brand closure. Taking a product from their standard range, Croxsons improved the design to create a bespoke jar, which included a rounded flat front with a moulded outline of Percy Pig himself. The screw top closure was custom made for the jar, finished in the Percy Pig pink brand style. “It’s worth adding that bespoke designs, such as this example, are accessible for any brand, with lower volumes than most businesses imagine,” said Croxson’s Tim Croxson. To find out more, visit www.croxsons.com. i2r adds new profiles to premium Eclipse range i2r Packaging Solutions has added two new profiles to its popular Eclipse range - a unique collection of black and gold lacquered, aluminium foil containers designed for the premium ready meal sector. The additional trays take the range to 11 containers in various dimensions. The range offers a number of unique advantages, including improved corrosion resistance against certain food types with a pH level outside the range 4-9, the prevention of food sticking to the container during cooking and a smooth rim that can be lidded with film to provide a leak proof pack to extend shelf life - this can be extended further by gas flushing if required using M.A.P. Being 100% recyclable, Eclipse containers include a clear recycling logo as a call-to-action, reminding the consumer not to dispose of the container as part of their normal refuse, but to recycle wherever possible. To find out more, visit www.i2rps.com. Innovative Bottling & Packaging Solutions evolutionbps.co.uk Food n Dairy n Personal Care n Household Chemical Pharmaceutical n Beer n Cider n Wines & Spirits Liquers n Water n Soft Drinks fruits and vegetables. Not only do they help to protect produce in transit, but they also reduce spoilage, boosting shelf life and helping to curb food waste. Food waste and recyclability are both, of course, having an impact on the food and drink industry, but one of the most profound changes comes in the form of plain packaging, often touted as a means of reducing the consumption of high salt, fat and sugar products – especially sugar soft drinks and alcohol. It’s been posited in parliament, by action groups and campaigners that using plain packaging for high sugar beverages and alcohol – similar to the plain packaging for cigarettes and tobacco products introduced in the UK in 2016 – would help to curb the obesity crisis and levels of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. However, a report from consultancy company, Brand Finance, found that the global beverage industry could stand to lose as much as $400 billion if plain packaging were extended to sugary drinks and alcohol. There has also been calls for plain packaging to be extended to snack foods, presenting an existential threat for the food and drink industry. Product launches are increasing, shelf space is at a premium and start-ups and artisan produces are emerging to take on and disrupt major brands. Producers therefore need to compete on shelf, so manufacturers are taking their packaging back to the drawing board. New product development is rife for © Shutterstock /MOLPIX 22 Á 16-22.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2020 16:04 Page 622 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT Waddington Europe launches 100% recycled food packaging solution Thermoforming packaging specialists, Waddington Europe - a division of Novolex® - has launched two 100% recyclable food packaging material options made from 100% recycled plastic. The company’s in-house Innovation team have introduced the Eco Blend™ Pura and Eco Blend™ 100 products made with 100% recycled materials as competitive and cost-effective options to customers. Eduardo Gomes, Managing Director at Waddington Europe, said: “Waddington Europe is one of only a handful of suppliers within the European rigid plastic market that can truly offer and maintain the supply of a reduced environmental impact 100% recycled plastic packaging at a competitive price.” Waddington’s premium Eco Blend ™ Pura rPET tray range is made entirely from post-consumer recycled waste (PCW). The range of thermoformed trays, collation trays, punnet boxes and pots are also fully recyclable and suitable for packaging a wide range of food items including meat and fish, baked goods, prepared food, soft fruits and salads. The Eco Blend™ 100 range of packaging – made from 100% recycled content derived from a mixture of both post- consumer (PCW) and post-industrial waste (PIW) content – offers customers the same superior shelf display, food safety and environmental benefits as the Eco Blend ™ Pura line but at a slightly lower price point. These innovative products bring to life the ideal practice behind a true circular economy, keeping plastic away from landfill by turning today’s discarded bottles, pots, tubs and trays into tomorrow’s packaging. Unlike cardboard packaging that may have a plastic laminate inner lining or cardboard vacuum packs for meat or fish which can be difficult to recycle, both the Eco Blend ™ Pura and Eco Blend™ 100 lines are fully recyclable. To find out more, visit www.waddingtoneurope.com, or call +44(0) 1908 260900. packaging, from branding and design, right through to shape and materials. It’s an ideal way for food companies to convey their sustainability message and credentials to consumers. A package made from recycled material isn’t just better for the environment, but it becomes a selling point, allowing manufacturers to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace. As important as sustainability is, manufacturers can’t afford to ignore innovative designs and packages that appeal to what modern consumers want. Millennials and generation Z lead busy lifestyles and often forgo traditional meals for quick and easy foods that can be eaten on-the-go. Pouch packaging is ideally suited for this market, particularly sprout packaging. Not only do they offer versatility and great on-shelf appeal but, according to growth forecasts analysis from GMO, the stand-up pouch sprouts market will exceed $900 million by 2024. Therefore, machinery specialised in filling pouch packaging are becoming more commonplace, as are more specialised packaging machines in general. It’s a time of rapid innovation and development for food and drink packaging; changes that include every aspect of the value chain, from design and manufacture, right through to retail and recycling. 100% recycled plastic scoops now available at Measom Freer Measom Freer has announced that it can produce its perennially popular measuring scoops and hand scoops in fully recycled plastic (PCR). Made to order in recycled HDPE with other colours available on request, these measuring scoops range in size from 0.5 to 150ml and are ideal for the precise dispensing and dosing of powders, grains, dried goods and liquids making them suitable for a wide range of product sectors. Logos or company details can also be printed onto the handles. Most of their other products can also be made in this material on request. In today’s climate of environmental awareness, Measom Freer is aware of its responsibilities as packaging producers, having recently been awarded a British Standard in Environmental Management (BSI ISO 14001:2015). All of its products are designed and manufactured in the UK, with a minimum order of just a single box for stock items. To find out more, visit www.measomfreer.co.uk. 16-22.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2020 16:04 Page 7Food & Drink International 23 www.fdiforum.net DEPOSITORS AND FILLING © Shutterstock /Salov Evgeniy Although the method behind depositing is largely the same machine to machine – pushed out either by pneumatic compressed air or driven by electric servo – the actual types of machinery vary greatly. They range in size from single shot depositor machine aimed at small-batch producers, right the way through to multiple head food depositors that can turn out thousands of products at a time. Depending on the product, there are continuous depositors which continuously extrudes the material in the form of lines moving on a dough sheet, while spot depositors deposit material in individual round or oblong shapes. The containers Finding the right machine 24 Á in which product is deposited also vary greatly, from sachets, bags and pouches, to bottles, jars and buckets. Product might be deposited to be sealed in a container, to be cooked in that container, or deposited onto another product as part of the production process – such as the tomato sauce on a pizza base. No matter which filling or depositing machine a manufacturer requires, the importance of hygienic design remains critical. Selecting a machine that is easy to clean will not only boost overall hygiene levels but will save on downtime. One of the worst offenders in this regard are doughs and cake batters which are messy when wet and harden when dry. Not only can this cause contamination and flout safety standards but can also seriously affect the operation of a machine. Left untreated, this can lead to costly repairs or even replacements. Although the entire machine will need to be cleaned, of particular importance are the nozzles and heads themselves. Here manufacturers will want to select machines where the heads and nozzles can be easily removed to be thoroughly cleaned. Cleaning solution can also be flushed through the entire system between batches to ensure hygiene Depositing and filling machines are designed to meet different production and capacity requirements and, therefore, there is a variety of different options available to manufacturers depending on their needs, so it pays to know exactly what you need and buy accordingly. 23-25.qxp_Layout 1 29/10/2020 07:50 Page 124 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net DEPOSITORS AND FILLING levels are met, and potential cross contamination is reduced to nil. Though cheaper options of machinery are available on the market, often it’s a false economy. Ultimately, one gets what one pays for and cheaper options can often lead to compromises in safety, hygiene and performance. There are, however, affordable options such as shopping second hand from reputable suppliers. The advantage here is that these are quality machines that have been well looked after, repaired, maintained and come with guarantees. Precision is paramount for saving costs, remaining efficient and for the integrity of the end product. Depositing the exact amount of product every time, hundreds – if not thousands – of times a day, is necessary as being even marginally off from the weight specified on the label can prompt a product recall. Precision is also required so that the nozzle or head doesn’t drip and overspill, leaving trails of product on the conveyor belt and on the outside of the container. It helps not only to improve safety and hygiene levels, but also to reduce food waste, which food makers can’t afford to be flouting in this climate. High end fillers and depositors, as well as bespoke options, will often come loaded with a suit of sensors to boost precision and efficiency, ensuring that manufacturers can meet their quota without incidence. When it comes to the production line, the need for efficiency cannot be overstated. Some small batch artisan producers who had previously been filling by hand have been required to adopt an automatic or semi- automation solution to meet growing demand and scale their business. It’s fortuitous that many makers of filling and depositing machinery have specific options for artisanal producers, ones that are suited to smaller and single batches. But not all foods are easy to fill, in fact many are downright difficult – such as cooked rice, gelatine cubes and long pastas. Often, these require a bespoke option. Machinery makers can tailor a machine to meet a producer’s exact requirements with solutions that don’t compromise speed or damage product integrity. It’s paramount to meeting 23-25.qxp_Layout 1 29/10/2020 07:50 Page 2Food & Drink International 25 www.fdiforum.net DEPOSITORS AND FILLING demand and minimising wasted yield and damaged product on the production line. Unsurprisingly, given all that we’ve touched on, the market for filling and depositing machinery is growing, especially in growing economies and other areas where the adoption of aseptic technology is on the rise. Demand has also increased over the last decade as consumers turn more frequently towards other packaged foods. Food producers must ensure that they focus as much on precision and hygiene as efficiency when looking for their own filling machine, whether a standalone system to augment their small-bath production line, or a major international company looking to slot a new advanced machine into their existing system. © Shutterstock /SeventyFour © Shutterstock /Elena Larina © Shutterstock /1968 SIG reduces water consumption on filling machines up to 50% Innovative technical upgrades by SIG have now made it possible to reduce water consumption up to 50% on new and already installed third generation filling machines. This important breakthrough is another step forward on SIG’s Way Beyond Good journey – its roadmap to becoming a net positive business. This latest water saving innovation will be included on all new SIG high-speed filling machines, which can fill 24,000 small-size carton packs per hour. The new technology is also available on most filling machines for carton packs with a size of up to 1.100 ml with a capacity of 12,000 carton packs per hour. Most of SIG’s third generation filling machines for small and medium size carton packs can also be fitted with a newly developed, and easy-to-fit, water reduction conversion kit, which halves water consumption by saving approximately up to 350 litres per hour. To find out more, visit www.sig.biz. 23-25.qxp_Layout 1 29/10/2020 07:50 Page 326 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Facilities management involves a variety of aspects. Facilities managers work to bolster the efficiency of a food processing factory, or other facility, pinpoint areas for cost saving, and take control of health and safety, ensuring stringent standards are met, cleaning, security and maintenance, waste management, and complete daily inspections. Generally, facilities managers are responsible for making sure everything in regard to the physical infrastructure of a business is running optimally, as it should. Solid facilities management is key to performance, and enables better flexibility, adaptability, and sustainability. Buildings are getting smarter, and technology more sophisticated, requiring effective management for maintaining smooth operations, avoiding disruption, and to make use of the data insights now available. Innovative technology and processes are ready to descend upon facilities management, but obstacles remain in the way of adoption, for example a lack of digital skills and general cost cutting. This does however make facilities management outsourcing attractive. With digitisation, the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless communication, cloud, and sensors, practically every component of a facility can be constantly monitored, with the data and information produced by this technology transforming decision making, and making it so that managing facilities will become less physical and more digital. A plethora of automated systems using these technologies are also being utilised to control operations like lighting, heating, security, environment and equipment monitoring, automatically. The growth of IoT technology, a platform wherein devices are internet enabled and connected to one another, is a boon for facilities management, making it more effective. One advantage is in facilitating a shift from preventative maintenance to real time, data driven actions and predictive maintenance. In predictive maintenance, sensors and predictive analytics software are used to foresee equipment faults before they occur, giving maintenance workers the data needed Transforming facilities management with tech As buildings get smarter and technology more sophisticated, facilities management is becoming more digital. 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 29/10/2020 07:52 Page 1Food & Drink International 27 www.fdiforum.net FACILITIES MANAGEMENT © Shutterstock /W right Studio to prevent breakdowns, which often see spoilage or diminished product quality as foodstuffs are left deteriorating, paused as they move through sensitive processes. Employing this maintenance type, less time is needed for inspections, chance of downtime is reduced, and cost savings can be achieved over time. Utilising IoT sensors, which allow assets to communicate their operational and health status without human intervention, managers can always know the status of equipment, machinery, goods et al., and day to day management is set to focus on what is encroaching on failure, rather than knowing what assets are on a cycle for attention. With the IoT, devices interact, send and receive information - capturing data, communicating with one another, and potentially taking action if necessary. In a building fully committed to IoT, sensors can detect faults and dispatch technicians as required, for a technician to confirm a time to rectify the fault and be given access to the building by the system. Sensors can then confirm if the fault has been fixed and present a report to process service costs. One can link IoT devices to lights, doors, windows, temperature monitoring, HVAC, electrical and 28 Á 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 29/10/2020 07:52 Page 228 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net FACILITIES MANAGEMENT essential services in a facility, monitoring performance, running a facility with little supervision. Moreover, through cloud-based analytics, the devices can make decisions. Enabling remote monitoring, connected devices, sensors, and cloud tech are being used to manage operations, and save time. Remote monitoring is being employed for tasks including the remote control of heat and air, to reduce energy consumption and monitor equipment for possible failure, and for site maintenance, to monitor equipment usage and productivity and to enable the sending of proactive service notifications to gain real time data and insights from remote monitoring for decision making and the improvement of operational performance. Significant amounts of data have become available to facilities managers. To tackle this and achieve operational savings, they are making use of building and facilities management systems in which data is translated into work orders or automated actions. Building management systems are being further enhanced by data analytics platforms which analyse building data constantly to uncover patterns in usage and consumption. Artificial intelligence is then utilised to make predictions and comprehend anomalies. This ultimately presents an in depth understanding of what is happening in a facility, as well as why. Augmented reality (AR), the enhancement of the physical world with sensors, video, audio, graphics, and other tech, also has a vital place in transforming facilities management, though it is in the early stages, in maintenance and management processes. AR and associated sensors can for instance offer a digitised view of hidden assets like pipes and cables, detect problems and show what is wrong. Sensors on assets present AR monitoring capabilities, and access to sensor data can be granted with tech such as QR scanners. Scanning an AR sensor, data including parts numbers can be accessed, and one can view a digital overlay of how an asset should look and work, which helps in the successful completion of repair and maintenance. One example may see the use of AR glasses to see a digital representation of components providing instructions, warnings, and how to address possible problems. AR can also be used to link specialist experts to those in the field where support is needed. Again with AR glasses, support teams can see through the eyes of those on site. Insight can be given on how assets are performing, which allows accurate support for staff in the field to get assets working as soon as possible. The tech is set to have a substantial impact on challenging maintenance tasks. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is also important for facilities management. The planning, design, construction, and operations management software application collects data to produce 3D virtual models of buildings and enables in depth data analytics to be conducted. Taking advantage of BIM, facilities managers can boost building and energy efficiency, uncover maintenance needs, and improve space management. When used in conjunction with IoT sensors, even more advantages can be gained, such as measuring real time energy use. Additionally with virtual reality (VR) tech one can fully immerse oneself in building maps with 3D rendering, to help virtually plan, design and build facilities, and subsequently manage equipment and infrastructure. With VR models one can also achieve strategic space planning throughout the life of a building as equipment is added and replaced. Simulations of facility changes can be provided virtually, ahead of physical implementation for heightened planning power, offering a proactive and cost-effective method that avoids trial and error. While facilities managers adapt and adjust with new technologies, they have recently gained a space in the spotlight due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilities management has had to quickly respond to closures, reopening, and constant changes to ensure safety of goods and workers and compliance. 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 29/10/2020 07:52 Page 3Food & Drink International 29 www.fdiforum.net FACILITIES MANAGEMENT © Shutterstock /NicoElNino Rexnord introduces eco sustainable solution for glass pasteurizer Rexnord has announced its new Rexnord® 9406 Series MatTop Chain, a full metal pasteurizer chain specifically designed for glass container handling. The robust design of the chain in combination with the perforated surface execution of the top plates minimizes downtime caused by broken glass. The stiffness of the chain results in no elastic elongation at the drive, a very smooth and steady forward motion which improves bottle stability. The stiffness also allows a minimal catenary of the chain which is beneficial when used in a double deck pasteurizer. The chain can be combined with a self-clearing dynamic transfer which guarantees all bottles being cleared of the pasteuriser without any human handling. The full metal execution features a high reliability and a high strength in combination with a high wear and chemical resistance. The chain has been designed in full stainless steel which makes sure that corrosion has no chance in the pasteurizer. For more information, please visit www.rexnord.com 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 29/10/2020 07:52 Page 4Next >