< PreviousRevolutionise Your Packaging with CRYOVAC® Recycle-Ready PP-Based Laminates WHY CHOOSE OUR LAMINATES? SUSTAINABLE: Designed for recycling with the polypropylene stream, our laminates help you reduce plastic usage by 77% compared to traditional thermoforming systems. EXTENDED SHELF LIFE: Fortified with an EVOH barrier, our laminates keep your food fresh and help reduce food waste. VERSATILE APPLICATION: Perfectly suited for the HFFS system, tray lidding, and thermoforming solutions, our laminates adapt to your packaging needs. JOIN THE MOVEMENT TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PACKAGINGFood & Drink International 21 www.fdiforum.net END OF LINE PACKAGING can be costly and time consuming where the production line is concerned. Relying on human workers for case forming and pallet wrapping etc. invites mistakes that can lead to the entire packing operation grinding to a halt. Provided they’re running as intended, robots, cobots, and automated machinery are designed to eliminate such mistakes whilst operating at constant, reliable speeds that human workers simply cannot match. As well as this rate and precision, machinery can also provide actionable data – allowing manufactures to see exactly how much stretch wrap or cartons are required, so that only the exact amount needed is ordered. One machine type that is becoming more eco-conscious is stretch wrappers – surprising given they’ve historically been a big source of plastic waste. Stretch wrapping and protective packaging can’t just be got rid of. They’re fundamental to the production process – not only for the food and drink industry, but across a myriad of industries. Therefore, the challenge lies in making the process and the materials used more sustainable. As industry and governments grapple with plastic usage, stretch film and its applications has been evolving. Relying on human hands means a larger amount of film is required to wrap a pallet safely and securely for transportation. However, a machine can stretch the wrap tighter without comprising on security, using less plastic and saving money for the manufacturer. Stretch wraps are even being made with recycled plastic content. So far, so good. But there’s a critical part of the end of line packaging journey that needs to be addressed: health and safety – specifically checking for foreign bodies and contaminates. Product inspection is a key part of any end of line operation, whatever level of automation is in operation. X-ray, checkweighing, and label verification are all necessary processes that must be observed. In some operations this is undertaken manually, in others by separate automated machines, but, increasingly, these three processes can be incorporated into a single machine. Here the sustainability benefits can be profound. By swiftly and surely identifying and removing contaminated products before they leave the factory, costly recalls can be avoided, and whole batches won’t have to be destroyed. © stock.adobe.com/Ratchapon 23 Áwww.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 2024/2025 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 dchill ed dcosur rFo ozen 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 Wa eehousin distribution b distribution ution e tur e contr ol practices emperTe a atur 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 r t and aut omation xpor d r t ation MINIMUM COST…MAXIMUM IMPACT! www.fdiforum.net Food & Drink International 23 www.fdiforum.net END OF LINE PACKAGING One will notice that many solutions require significant investment, both financially and in time. So, what are the benefits? Investing in end-of-line packaging transcends pure financial consideration but constitutes a strategic manoeuvre, which will yield multifaceted benefits for businesses. Obviously, it enhances product protection by safeguarding goods during transit, thus curbing returns, and assuaging customer dissatisfaction. Moreover, optimizing packaging processes fosters operational efficiency, effectively utilizing human resources. Reduction in mistakes will curb wastage and trimming production costs, thereby elevating the overall operational effectiveness. Furthermore, well-packaged items contribute to supply chain optimization, ensuring seamless transportation and averting delays, consequently maintaining, and potentially improving brand reputation. Beyond functional utility, reliable packaging signifies a company’s dedication to quality, nurturing trust and fostering consumer loyalty, thus bolstering brand image and customer satisfaction. Additionally, compliance with packaging regulations must be a critical consideration, particularly for manufacturers who supply overseas. Investing in compliant packaging not only ensures legal adherence but also circumvents potential fines or setbacks, underscoring the strategic importance of judicious end-of-line packaging investments for businesses. ŽD O ŬƌŽtĞůďĂĞŐƌĂŚĐĞZĞůŝďŽ ƵŽŚƚŝǁĞƌĞŚǁLJŶĂ͕ĞŵƟ Ž LJŶ wo Ŷ OOn-The-Go P ŶŽƟĂƚƐŬ ǁĞŶƌƵ erw AR R NEW AL A R I V ŽD Ne ŬƌŽtĞůďĂĞŐƌĂŚĐĞZĞůŝď ͘ϮϮϮŚƚŚŝŝ Ž tϭ Ž tϭ 5 Žƚ er InwoapePusEscxee ͘ϭ ŶŽƟĂƚƐ LJƌĞƩĂĂƩŚŚŚŚ Ŭ ϬϬ ! 500W erertv ϬϬ ƌƵŽĞĞƐŽƚ an QSc ĞŐŶĂƌůůƵĨ odeR c wDo equence & fr wnloadour g V Output voltag cy eFindoutmor o.ukng.cagipackekit 02476 420065 -oe shareyemploy ed brewepo ap wDo rshipwneo y!odap t wnload our © stock.adobe.com/sorapolujjin 24 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net INTERLOCK ADHESIVES Q&A Tell us a little about Interlock Adhesives and what you do. At Interlock Adhesives we supply key markets with adhesive solutions. We have always specialised in the food and beverage sectors and cover multiple application types such as end of line, corrugated, labelling, capping and straw attachment. All our hot melt, water based, pressure sensitive and PUR adhesives are safe to use in high-risk food manufacturing environments. What makes Interlock Adhesives stand out in the food and drink industry? Experience, expertise and a strategic partnership with the world’s largest adhesive manufacturer – Henkel. Interlock Adhesives has been directly servicing the food and drink industry for over 30 years and our team members have of 150+ years of collective adhesive experience. From our modern UK office and warehousing facility, we provide market leading technologies to improve performance, sustainability and reduce costs across the overall adhesive process. To do this we look at major areas such as application temperature, bond performance, adhesive usage and maintenance/downtime costs. What challenges do you find are facing food and drink manufacturers and how are you helping them? Improving safety/sustainability and controlling costs. We support customers through our continual product improvement. Our aim is to reduce cost in use, while at the same time improving performance and sustainability. Relentless attention to product development and safety research ensures zero compromise on the issues of most concern to manufacturers and retailers: safety and packaging security/integrity. For example, our Technomelt Supra PRO hotmelts have exceptional performance with the lowest possible mineral oil content, and we now have a ‘cool’ bio-based adhesive helping customers with their CO2 reduction targets (see below!). Are there any exciting developments for Interlock Adhesives? We have just launched Technomelt Supra 079 ECO Cool. This ‘end of line’ hotmelt adhesive combines a negative CO2 saving with low application temperature, allowing an extra energy saving. For example, an end user using 10T a year would have a negative, ISCC certified, CO2 impact of 1,910KG which can be used to offset in other areas. Taking the current CO2 impact the total CO2 savings would be 26,000 KG plus. This product development requires NO Q&A Interlock Adhesives As packaging needs become more complex, so too do the materials that bind it all together. We speak with David Blott, Head of UK Sales at Interlock Adhesives, to find out more. Food & Drink International 25 www.fdiforum.net INTERLOCK ADHESIVES Q&A customer investment in application equipment. It’s literally ‘plug and go’. Technomelt Supra 079 ECO Cool adhesive can be swapped straight in with minimal or no downtime resulting in equal or better performance! With non plastic pallet stabilisation becoming a more prevalent theme in the food and beverage sector, our adhesives now provide a cost saving and support a very practical initiative for producers wishing to help protect our environment. The pallet stabilisation process is where a tiny amount of hotmelt adhesive is applied to a case and acts like a grip pad to prevent slipping but easy ‘lift off’. So, no need for plastic wrap! Our customers find that the return on investment is also very quick with the average being less than a year…we’ve even seen as little as six months! Sustainability is at the heart of the solutions we provide and we’re always looking to reduce Interlock’s and our customers impact on the environment. Last year we started the process of turning a field that was previously used for farming into a forest. So far, we’ve planted 542 trees, shrubs and hedgerow which will, in time, absorb over 5.4 tonnes of CO2 each year. With end of line packaging being so important in food and drink, what advice do you have for those looking to improve their processes? Talk to Interlock! We often find that production haven’t changed adhesive in a long time and think ‘’if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”. The world has changed, packaging has changed, and adhesives have changed in response. There are always improvements to be made. We can lower application temperatures to 95°C which provides an energy saving, improved safety for operators and prolonged equipment life. Our Technomelt Supra adhesives have excellent performance and adhesion so less can be applied providing even more incentive to change. Get in touch with us and we can provide a free of charge appraisal of how we can help with saving you time, money and energy…..while maintaining a key focus on sustainability! We’d love to hear from you. For more information visit www.interlock-adhesives.co.uk or call direct on 01724 870055 26 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PROCESS, CONTROL AND AUTOMATION I n an ideal world, businesses would look to proactively improve their efficiency and get the most out of a line, but the reality is that this is expensive, and investment is often saved for when they “must” adapt a line, or when the current way of doing things suddenly becomes impossible. As such, the processing industry could be said to be guided by pressure. The pandemic, the economy, the cost of living crisis, and now looking forward to US tariffs in the future. Labour and staffing were difficult during the pandemic and the task hasn’t gotten any easier now. We, and many others, have advocated automation as a means to reduce the industry’s reliance on a heavy workforce for many years. Some, especially UK companies, were slow to adapt and invest in robotics, and sure enough those companies are struggling now with the Great Resignation. The lesson to be learned is that it’s easy to ignore a distant and potentially unthreatening future, but hard to fix it once it arrives! Industry 4.0 could be the needed solution. It uses technology to form a more connected, efficient industry between customers, product and process. Components include data exchange and automation, alongside advance robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, cloud computing, machine learning, and sensors. There are myriad manufacturing facilities that are decades old working with legacy equipment, but to be able to fulfil the requirements of today’s consumers and to be compliant with new, ever more stringent legislation, investing in new elements of smart factory technology is often essential. With the advent of this advanced technology, what can be accomplished in processing plants has changed, and greater control is available over every step. Automation is a major facet of any smart processing plant, and it is key in helping 28 Á Adapt or be left behind The processing industry is one that all-too-often changes with external pressures. For many, it is adapt or die. Food & Drink International 27 www.fdiforum.net PROCESS, CONTROL AND AUTOMATION © stock.adobe.com/Retan Nordson to Introduce New and Improved Series 9 Gauge with Color Measurement Dayton, Ohio, USA – 11/12/2024 - Nordson has launched the Series 9 Food Color Gauge, the only all-in- one sensor that simultaneously measures moisture, fat/oil, protein, and color out of the box. The Series 9 has been a top choice in the food industry for years, designed for continuous operation to help manufacturers meet quality standards and improve efficiency. It installs directly on the production line, offering exceptional measurement performance while being easy to operate without needing specialized training. It can measure moisture, fat/oil, protein, and the degree of bake, assessing the browning of baked or fried products. The new Series 9 Color Gauge expands on this platform by enabling the measurement of the full-color spectrum alongside key food parameters. It supports various standard scales, including CIE (L*, a*, b*), RGB, and Degree of Roast (DOR). Application tests show that reliable color readings, combined with critical measurements like moisture, fat, and protein, enhance process control and ensure consistent product quality. The Series 9 Color Gauge has proven successful in several food applications, such as nuts, snacks, dehydrated fruits, and coffee. For more information, please visit: https://info.ndc.com/series-9-non-contact-food-gauge 28 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PROCESS, CONTROL AND AUTOMATION processing facilities reach peak efficiency, streamline processes, and minimise costs. Some firms, however, still rely on human employees for many processes that can and, often, should be automated. Many avoid the switch because of the perception that automation is not economical. Indeed, the more one chooses to automate a processing facility in one instance, the higher the upfront install cost will be, but, in actuality, the automatisation of a facility can be gradually scaled up. Moreover, in the long run, the results of investing in this equipment saves money - one can enhance productivity by increasing uptime as automated machines require little rest, and one can prevent all common and costly human errors and human contamination threats. By implementing automation, one can also address the sector’s worker shortage and reduce spend on labour. This does not mean, however, that masses of employees have to be let go, rather it presents an opportunity to retrain employees into new positions such as running machinery. In addition, by automating roles from weighing, to cutting, to sorting with robots, a facility can reach higher levels of accuracy and consistency that humans are simply not capable of, which can also ensure a higher throughput. Taking a closer look at the optimisation of sorting in processing facilities, by automating this task, one can be rid of the less accurate and limited process of relying on the human eye and, also, potentially reduce waste. Without human input, automated sensor-based optical sorters, for example, can determine food quality by colour and work to remove unwanted raw materials and food products such as those with rot, contaminates, damage or defects to offer a safer and higher quality product that meets standards. Advances in automated sorting have even seen technology hit the market that can re-route materials that may not be suitable for one product but can be used for another. Robots are also capable of filling other highly useful roles that boost the safety and quality of goods such as detecting microscopic bacteria and foreign materials that don’t appeal in metal detectors or X- NEW AIR HEATER SERIES LHS 210 / 410 COMPACT & POWERFULFood & Drink International 29 www.fdiforum.net PROCESS, CONTROL AND AUTOMATION rays, and label verifying, where they can accurately check two hundred labels a minute! While automation is not new to the food and drink industry, when implemented with the wide technology available in Industry 4.0, one can push past what traditional automation in individual tasks achieve, to benefit from a fully connected system where machines with the right communication protocols and sensors are now capable of sharing information across process lines and providing a continuous flow of data that can be used to adapt operations to create a more efficient system and to adjust a system as needs be; for instance, slowing down sections when necessary. Tel: +44 (0)1707 331111 info@welwyntoolgroup.co.uk www.welwyntoolgroup.com EASY CONNECTION HOT AIR RECYCLING ECONOMICALCOMPATIBLE NOZZLES HIGH AIR VOLUME OVERHEATING PROTECTION © stock.adobe.com/chokniti © stock.adobe.com/ipopbaNext >