< Previouswww.fdiforum.net PACKAGING 10 sustainable materials, the terminology and surprising variety might be overwhelming. But researching one category at a time, from recyclable and circular, to biodegradable and compostable, will help you ease into the functions, pros and cons of each one. Recyclable materials are the ones that most people will be familiar with, referring in packaging to boxes, bags and wrappers that can be recycled after use and become something else, rather than being wasted on landfill. Recyclable packaging can be made from already recycled materials and continue the green chain by being repeatedly reused. This is what’s known as circular packaging, based on the concept of a circular economy – one where as many materials as possible keep being reused in a continuous loop, never needing to go to waste. The idea has grown to become not only recognised but respected in the food and drink industry, businesses flocking to this solution that saves money on manufacturing and eases material disposal, while appealing to and expanding their customer base. However, it’s important to note that packaging made from recycled materials isn’t all equally green. Without the impetus on a circular economy, recycled packaging can’t always recycle again. But there are always other options. Renewable materials such as cellulose, starch and soy protein can be made into biodegradable packaging materials which naturally decompose. What you must watch out for here is being certain that the biodegradable packaging you use are made from these sustainable base materials. Certain plastics are also biodegradable but are decidedly not planet friendly. Biodegradable plastics break down into microplastics, carried by air and water to contaminate animals and their habitats, the ocean and our own bodies. Compostable packaging is less difficult to judge in its eco-friendliness, as it will all be made from natural materials. These break down into their original components over time, meaning they can often be disposed of with food waste in a compost bin, and doesn’t have to be washed beforehand. The www.fdiforum.net PACKAGING 11 main drawback here is that compostable packaging products require specific conditions in order to break down fully. Biodegradable and compostable materials also share a weakness of barrier strength and can’t be vacuum sealed, making them susceptible both to damage and infiltration by contaminants. Packaging correctly is half the battle when it comes to design and working towards sustainability adds further challenges and stages of consideration to the process. But on the bright side, putting in a little extra thought with your raw materials can inspire the process of creating your brand’s image. You might expand on the approach to the understated beauty of sustainable 12 Á © stock.adobe.com/zzzdimwww.fdiforum.net PACKAGING 12 packaging by incorporating the subtlety of image that’s also set to trend this year. Instead of using flashy gimmicks that irritate customers with their appearance of style over substance, allow your product to speak for itself. Ditching the clutter of competing patterns and complex logos, instead embracing soft and neutral colours, will give your product an unexpected edge in standing out from its neighbours on shelves. If you’re working with produce that’s pleasing to the eye in its colours or shapes, daring to go transparent could make even more of a statement, from your ethical standpoint as well as your faith in what you’ve crafted as a brand. Morally and aesthetically, transparency is always in fashion. To take it a step further with allowing the consumer to see your product, and how it will improve their lives, make your overall design as minimalistic as possible. No matter the varying sizes of items in your range, the modest approach will give you space to convey what your brand offers clearly, cleanly and simply. Use all that space you’ve gained from scrapping loud branding and complicated imagery to start a conversation with your customer from the moment they first engage with your product. Share the origin of your company or explain why you do what you do. When a potential customer feels like they know the people behind a brand, the seeds of trust are planted. That closeness of business-consumer relationship can’t be manipulated or fabricated through aggressive marketing. Showing that you care, for your customer, the product and the planet, goes a long way towards building long-term loyalty in both directions. © stock.adobe.com/Seventyfourwww.fdiforum.net 13 Speak to a member of our team Call on 01442 843387 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. We turn the world of caps www.kornelis.com SEALERS © www.rmsealers.co.uk delga.co.uk | 01634 227000 From concept to reality. Packaging & labels, but better. CAD & prototyping service Digital end-to-end manufacturing solution Carbon neutral HP Indigo technology Intricate laser cutting & etching services Scodix high build foiling & UV Traditional high volume litho print & embellishment services Scan the QR code to discuss your printed packaging and label requirements with us.www.fdiforum.net TEMPERATURE CONTROL 14 T he last decade has seen an upsurge in the number of logistics hubs worldwide, creating a more connected, around-the-clock food supply chain. As the food chain becomes ever more fragile and sensitive to a greater number of environmental factors (such as COVID in the past, and scares/shortages this year causing panic buying), the industry needs to forge links for the sector’s overall wellbeing. Combining specialist packers with a temperature- controlled fleet, for example, will help alleviate the stress of product contamination whilst also ensuring sensitive materials stay within the desired temperature parameters. The need for temperature-controlled logistics in the food sectors has caught the attention of mainstream transport companies looking to diversify their offering or expand their capabilities. Many of these companies are integrating cold trucks into their fleets, while some of the biggest players, such as FedEx and UPS, have entire branches dedicated to food The role of temperature control in the food supply chain is utilised right across the life cycle of almost any food and drink product. From manufacture to the delivery to an end user or wholesaler, many of the products and substances are temperature sensitive, requiring specific parameters to stay stable and fit for consumption. Stable temperatures Stable temperatures www.fdiforum.net TEMPERATURE CONTROL 15 and drink. New technology is opening up new frontiers and opportunities for cold chain logistics, from driverless vehicles to greener fuel options, blockchain technology and other means of tracking and tracing. Being able to track a shipment in real time allows a company to follow a product through the supply chain, so should a problem arise, such as a fault in manufacturing, the shipment can be immediately located and stopped before delivery, thus preserving the company’s reputation. Preserving the cold chain is an art unto itself. The first part of the journey occurs in-house, typically a production line in an enclosed warehouse or other facility. Though there are many options open to 16 Áwww.fdiforum.net TEMPERATURE CONTROL 16 manufacturers for ensuring a consistently cold production line or storage facility, it’s counterproductive to invest in subpar technologies. Even tiny changes in temperature can lead to micro-thawing and the crystallisation of goods. Insulation is crucial in maintaining a cooler temperature as the heat outside a facility will be constantly trying to work its way inside. Heat can work its way through even the smallest breaches in a manufacturer’s temperature defences, be that a wall, window or door. Of course, where cool air is present, there also exists the possibility of moisture build-up which can lead to all manner of issues such as damp or a build-up of ice. This not only presents a safety hazard for workers but can also severely limit the functionality and efficiency of processing equipment and lead to costly repairs. Ensuring a thorough washdown can help, as can investing in dehumidifying technologies. The transport and distribution of frozen goods presents a more challenging situation as it involves moving goods from one strictly controlled environment to another. To facilitate this changeover, manufacturers will likely have temperature controlled loading bays, ensuring a constant temperature from the production and packing lines. Curtain walls will help to maintain this consistency, creating a barrier to ensure that cold air stays inside its 18 Á © stock.adobe.com/kokliang1981www.fdiforum.net TEMPERATURE CONTROL 18 designated area whilst also allowing workers, forklift trucks and other vehicles to pass easily through. Loading bays themselves, however, are literal openings into the outside and so could quite easily scupper this carefully controlled environment. To compensate for this and maintain the cold integrity, manufacturers and logistics companies rely on hoods around the bay door opening. This means a truck or lorry can back into the bay and open its doors, creating a seal and ensuring that the exterior and interior temperatures don’t have a chance to meet and mingle. Frozen and chilled goods can then be loaded without fear of thawing. These same hoods will likely be in place at the retailers and distribution centres where food and beverage products will be dropped off for supply and sale, ensuring one continuous chilled environment. Bay doors form a key part of defending temperature controlled environments, as they could elsewise be a liability. They must balance adequate insulation whilst also boasting the rugged design and defence required to fend off the elements and possible forced entry. Refrigerated vans and lorries, meanwhile, have been thermometer.co.uk THERMADATA ® WI-FI LOGGERS Temperature monitoring solutions for your HACCP plan Manufactured in the UK, we offer a wide range of specialist thermometers for the catering industry from daily hand-held monitoring to Bluetooth ® wireless technology & remote Wi-Fi logging common sights for many years, yet they’ve rarely been able to match up to the safety and control of a dedicated storage facility itself. Simply put, the technology has not been in place to bring the same kind of safeguards a warehouse has, into a vehicle. But that’s not to say companies aren’t innovating in this direction, with some interesting results and implications for the future.info@munters.co.uk munters.com Improve safety & climate conditions in cold storage Ice, frost and fog in cold stores can create slippery and dangerous conditions. Munters IceDry ® is a specially designed dehumidifier that targets moisture from inside the cold store to create the optimal climate conditions. Suitable for use in manufacturing facilities, cold rooms, cold stores and process freezers, this desiccant dehumidifier is proven to: •Reduce & prevent ice, frost and fog build up on floors, walls and ceilings •Reduce defrosts by up to 1/3 •Lower maintenance requirements and costs •Improve safety for staff, visitors & forklifts •Improve evaporator efficiency •Thousands of proven installations globally CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE SITE SURVEY Example - Before After “The cold store is the best it’s ever been for excessive ice & snow” - Kitchen Range Foods www.fdiforum.net TEMPERATURE CONTROL 19 © stock.adobe.com/cheskyNext >