Food & Drink 24.03

25-27 MARCH 2024

26-28 SEPT 2023

EXCEL, LONDON, UK

NEC, BIRMINGHAM, UK

STAND H30

Visit us on Stand 331

EDITORIAL:

Akabo Media

Anuga Foodtec Multimodal

Cannon PR

Curious Heads Media

Harford Control

Montgomery Group

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08. Anuga Foodtec 2024

Shaping the future of responsible food & beverage industry

Anuga FoodTec 2024, scheduled from the 19th to the 22nd of March, stands out as a premier trade fair for the global food and beverage (F&B) industry.

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PROCESS & FILLING 23

Nuvonic Celebrates 100 Years in Business

The company has been innovating in UV technology since the 1920s and pledges ongoing commitment to customer-focused innovation

Nuvonic, a global UV technology solutions provider, commemorates its 100th year of unwavering commitment to excellence. Formerly known as Hanovia, the company has been a stalwart in UV science since its inception in the 1920s, and its century-long journey is a testament to innovation and adaptability.

Founded in Slough, Berkshire, U.K., in 1924, Hanovia started manufacturing UV lamps for medical applications. Since then, the company has consistently been at the forefront of UV science. Over the years, Hanovia evolved into one of the world’s leading UV lamps and systems manufacturers, contributing to industries such as food and beverage processing, pharmaceuticals, brewing, electronics, and aquaculture.

Over the decades, Nuvonic has undergone a transformative journey marked by strategic milestones and industry leadership. In 1981, Nuvonic became part

Union Industries improves efficiency with double Eiger Door installation at Taj Foods

Union Industries, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke industrial doors, has helped food importer and distributer, Taj Foods, improve efficiency through the installation of high-speed freezer doors – the Eiger Door.

Taj Foods, specialists in frozen exotic food and prepared meals, was established in 1980 and recently expanded its cold storage at its Sheffield warehouse to meet growing demand. The project undertaken by EJM refrigeration, involved improving its energy efficiency and carbon footprint with the installation of a new CO2 refrigeration system.

The two Eiger Doors will enhance operational efficiency in the high-demand environment and will maintain consistent freezer temperatures, while ensuring unimpeded access to cold stores. Since its launch in 2002, the Eiger Door has been installed as a fast-access traffic door at major food retailers, 3PL cold storage and distribution, and frozen food manufacturers across the UK. The Eiger Door ensures that consistent temperatures can be maintained and features an innovative dehumidification system, which prevents snow and ice build-up on the door blade and frame. This feature tackles a consistent issue plaguing other door types, as the freezer encounters humid ambient air entering the cold store. Minimising downtime is also supported by the Eiger Door’s robust construction and its tried and tested crash-out and reset system. Due to the modest difference in size between Forklift Trucks and the door opening, as well as the busy nature of this freezer, this is of particular benefit at this depot when considering the long-term reliability of the Eiger Door.

Rob Howe, Union Industries’ Technical Sales Engineer, said: “The installation of the Eiger Doors at Taj Foods showcases our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that prioritise efficiency and reliability. Over the past 20 years, the Eiger Door has consistently proven to be a superior and effective innovation for cold storage access, overcoming challenges such as ice build-up and excessive energy use to maintain consistent temperatures. We are confident that the Eiger Door will significantly contribute to Taj Foods’ operational success.”

Anil Solanki, Managing Director at Taj Foods, said: “We were looking for a reliable door solution to fit in with the redevelopment of our Sheffield warehouse, and after reading about the success of the Eiger Door we approached Union Industries to assist us to improve operational efficiency as we doubled our capacity. We believe that the advanced features of the Eiger Door will not only enhance the efficiency of our cold storage but also contribute to long-term reliability, minimising disruptions in our day-to-day operations.”

For more information visit www.unionindustries.co.uk

of Halma plc, laying the foundation for future growth. The subsequent years witnessed important developments, such as Berson’s integration into the Halma family in 1986 and Berson’s groundbreaking introduction of the InLine model of UV systems in 1995. In 2017, Hanovia, Berson, and Aquionics united under a single management team, fortifying their position in the UV technology landscape. The year 2021 saw Orca joining Halma, further strengthening the collective expertise. In 2022, these four entities converged under the innovative banner of Nuvonic, reflecting a unified commitment to excellence. For more information, visit www.nuvonicuv.com.

Coperion develops MEGAtex cooling die for manufacturing plant-based meat substitutes

New MEGAtex S7 Cooling Die Offers HMMA Meat Substitute Manufactures Significantly Greater Flexibility.

Coperion has developed the new MEGAtex S7 cooling die for manufacturing plant-based HMMA (High Moisture Meat Analogue) meat substitutes. Mounted at the discharge of the ZSK Food Extruder, this texturizing unit gives the plant protein mass a dense, fibrous structure that closely resembles animal flesh.

For many years, Coperion has been a proven supplier of production systems for plant-based meat substitute products. With the MEGAtex S7 cooling die, Coperion has developed a new discharge for HMMA production that allows for variable width and strength as well as various textures for meat substitutes. Moreover, Coperion has equipped the MEGAtex cooling die with features that simplify handling and make both recipe and configuration changes possible with just a few quick adjustments. Coperion will exhibit the new MEGAtex S7 cooling die at Anuga FoodTec 2024 (19-22 March, 2024, Cologne, Germany) at booth B-011 in Hall 10.1.

New key technology for processing plant proteins

HMMA is a plant-based intermediate product that is primarily used for ready-to-eat meals such as vegan chicken nuggets or ground meat. It contains 50 to 70 percent water and 30 to 50 percent plant proteins with less than 10 percent fat content. In the HMMA manufacturing process, protein-rich raw materials are first mixed with water and worked into a homogeneous mass in a ZSK Food Extruder. This mass is then pressed through the MEGAtex cooling die, where the meat-like texture is formed and a solid strand is discharged for further processing.

Characteristics of HMMA quality are the product’s texture and strength as well as the length and strength of the fibers. Coperion developed this new texturizing unit in order to more precisely fulfill these quality requirements, and in particular to provide more flexibility to smaller companies, research organizations, and startups. The MEGAtex S7 achieves throughputs of 5 to 50 kg/h and can currently be combined with the ZSK Food Extruder sizes 18, 27 and 34.

“The market for plant-based meat substitutes is growing exponentially and it’s very important to us to propel this development forward with innovative technologies. With this new MEGAtex cooling die, we’re pursuing our goal of redesigning the HMMA manufacturing process with greater variability. Moreover, maximized accessibility will markedly reduce cleaning time and increase the overall profitability of HMMA production. After comprehensive tests at our Food Test Lab using various raw materials, we can confirm with high certainty that we have fully achieved these goals,” said Markus Schmudde, Head of Research and Development, Compounding & Extrusion at Coperion, clearly very pround of Coperion’s new MEGAtex cooling die.

Photo caption (L-R): Rob Howe, Technical Sales Engineer at Union Industries & Anil Solanki, Managing Director at Taj Foods.

Mijenta Announces Limited Edition Cristalino Aged

A clear spirit with the complexity of aged tequila brings new versatility to mixology

Mijenta, the award-winning, additive-free, sustainable tequila from the highlands of Jalisco today announces the release of its limited edition Cristalino, which through extensive experimentation has brought to life something truly unique and utterly unpredictable. The idea to create a Cristalino tequila was born from Maestra Tequilera Ana María Romero Mena’s passion for exploring the sensory possibilities of tequila, which for Mijenta’s latest expression, began with experimentation with Symphony barrels. With staves composed of American Oak from the forests of Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Virginia, over the course of approximately eight months, the barrels continuously enhance the incredible richness of the tequila as new compounds develop, transform and evolve. As with all Mijenta expressions, the Cristalino packaging is fully eco-friendly.

The bottle and cork are made from recycled glass and the box is made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

Yorkshire Entrepreneur With Thirst For Success Launches New Independent Drinks Brand As Passion Drives New Project

Vais Founder, 31 year old serial entrepreneur, Nicky Story has declared that; “the first supermarket to stock VAIS, I will tattoo on my leg!”

Any hard seltzers in the UK are in cans - with his glass printing factory, Nicky was determined to differentiate and his premium product VAIS comes in a luxury glass bottle, that is screen printed in gold.

A 31 year old serial entrepreneur from South Yorkshire is celebrating this month, having seen an idea he had whilst on a tour of the United States, come to life - Nicky Story, CEO of Nicky Story Holdings and Founder of Supplies for Candles, which also incorporates The Soap Kitchen, Ava May Aromas and Glassprint Ltd, has branched out into a new market with his latest venture - as he brings a new drinks brand to market.

A low calorie, alcoholic hard seltzer VAIS (pronounced Vice), was born out of his own desire to replicate a drink he loved in the States, which he had struggled to find in the UK. After deciding to embark on a health kick and make more ‘health conscious decisions’, Nicky was attracted to hard seltzer drinks, but found it near impossible to find a low calorie drink that also tasted good. After trying several other seltzers on the market and not being impressed, Nicky decided to create a drink that filled this gap.

A refreshing premium fruit seltzer at 96 calories per bottle, with 100% natural flavours, VAIS comprises of alcohol (4.5% alc/vol), fruit and soda water. The initial products are Lemon & Lime / Black Cherry & Raspberry / Mango & Passionfruit. Since the start of his product development more hard seltzers have hit the marketplace - but are all in cans - Nicky, with his glass printing factory, was determined to differentiate and create a premium product in a glass bottleand this is the only one on the market.

To find

more about VAIS, please visit: www.vaisdrinks.com

in Symphony Barrels

This latest launch follows Mijenta’s release of its second batch of Añejo Gran Reserva in Autumn 2023, along with the brand’s recognitions by the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) as the Agave Producer of the Year and the overall Spirits Producer of the Year, the most prestigious recognition awarded by the IWSC.

Priced at £98.50 for a 70cl bottle Mijenta Cristalino is available to purchase from Harvey Nichols.

For more information please visit www.mijenta-tequila.com and find the brand on Instagram and Facebook at @mijentatequila.

Remedy Kombucha Becomes First No-Sugar Multipack Kombucha to Launch into Waitrose

With multipacks now growing at more than 77% year-on-year due to habitual kombucha consumption, Remedy has driven more growth within the category than all other competitors put together over the past 12 months.

Remedy also recently became the first kombucha brand to reach £8.5m in grocery in the UK, supported by continued and sustained demand from retailers seeking out healthier soft drinks for their customers, with Remedy crafted from all-natural ingredients, with no sugar and no artificial sweetener.

Remedy’s Wild Berry, Raspberry Lemonade and Ginger Lemon flavours (4 x 330ml; RRP: £5.50) are available in selected Waitrose stores nationwide and online at waitrose.com now

Remedy Kombucha, the UK’s leading kombucha brand, can today announce its launch into Waitrose - the first no-sugar kombucha available to Waitrose customer in multipack format. ...and

If you would like to see your Newsworthy articles , regarding the Food & Drink Industry, published in the next issue of ‘Food & Drink Network UK’ email:

graphics@waltonspublications.com

Your release will also be placed on our website: foodanddrinknetwork.co.uk

Did the social media revolution begin with Facebook?

The origins of Facebook and how Mark Zuckerberg successfully transformed an idea into a billion-dollar business that has dominated social media networks for two decades are well documented.

However, in this article I wanted to reflect on how Facebook’s world of pokes, likes and shares hasn’t only transformed the way in which many of us communicate with others, but how it has become a vital aspect of almost every business marketing strategy.

It could even be argued that the evolution of the social media industry itself can be traced back to the day when Facebook went live.

Over the past 20 years, social media channels have come and gone; Facebook isn’t just remarkable for its longevity, but for how it has transformed the way in which businesses engage with their customers.

So, what exactly has been the secret to Facebook’s success?

It could be argued that the origins of social networking as a communications tool predate the dawn of the internet age.

February 2024 marked something of a milestone in social media history: Facebook celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Early experiments into bulletin-boards and interactive text communication using the computers of the day first began in the early 1970s. In most cases, these early experiments were limited to a small user group, largely due to the inhibitive costs of the technology.

Remember, these were the days when a computer would occupy the size of a small house, and even a home computer could cost nearly a year’s salary!

The limitations of the computing technology available meant that any forms of interactive communication between computers required technology out of reach of the typical home computer user.

That changed in the 1990s with the advent of the internet age. Suddenly, it was possible to transport yourself to almost anywhere in the world at the click of a button. You didn’t need a PhD in computer science, and even someone with very limited computing skills could quickly learn how to surf the internet.

Connecting to the internet in the early 2000s was a very different experience to that of today. Less than half of Britain’s households were connected to the internet; the vast majority were reliant upon dial up connections.

The limitations of the connection speeds meant that downloading images could be a painfully slow experience, and when it came to video and music, although it could be done, it was not a quick process!

However, one solution would soon change all that: broadband. As fibre-based connectivity reached more areas of the UK, householders quickly liberated their landlines and consigned dial-up modems to the history books.

Offering lightning-fast connectivity speeds, in most cases more than 100 times faster, the stage was set for a social media revolution.

The dawn of the social media age

One of the first companies to harness the power of the internet was AOL. Unlike many of its competitors, AOL saw potential in building online communities, not simply providing access to the internet and email.

The communications strategy AOL embraced concentrated on making its software as accessible as possible. For quite a long period of time it was almost impossible to pick up a magazine without a CD-ROM falling out of it containing the latest incarnation of the AOL platform.

After installing the software, suddenly computer users were transported into a brave new world – one that didn’t simply provide internet access but offered the chance to become part of a brand-new community… all for the approximate sum of £15 per month.

rekindled. Within a year of its launch, the site was attracting 2.1 million visitors per month and was even blamed for an increase in divorce rates!

The platform was sold to ITV for £120 million. Friends Reunited had generated a membership of more than 15 million members with over a million paying subscribers. Despite the success it achieved, and the rolling out of the brand into music compilation tapes and even TV shows, Friends Reunited failed to find ways of keeping its audiences engaged, and by 2016, the school reunion was over forever.

Perhaps one of the primary reasons for the failure of Friends Reunited wasn’t the online communities it built so successfully, but the combination of its subscription model (latterly dropped) and an inability to keep users engaged.

But, as The Washington Post noted, the failure of Friends Reunited could also in part be attributed to the rise of Facebook: “Like many social networks that aren’t Facebook, Friends Reunited’s decline was almost certainly triggered by the success of Mark Zuckerberg’s online empire, which leaves little need for other reunion-type sites.”

The young pretender

Although Facebook certainly benefitted from advances in both technology and connectivity, it’s important to remember that in 2004, the platform was only available to a small number of students at Harvard. According to The Guardian, within just 24 hours the platform had received 1,200 sign-ups. The first month saw half of the university’s undergraduates sign up for the new service.

The AOL platform combined news and information on a wide range of subjects, but where it really distinguished itself from the competition was its online communities. Equipped with chatrooms, messaging boards and even offering users the chance to build their own microsites, the platform catered for hobbies and interests covering just about any subject matter conceivable… and just like Facebook today, if there wasn’t one there to suit your tastes, a new group or chatroom could be created at the click of a button.

Early social media channels

One of the innovative features included in the AOL platform was the built in instant messenger. Launched in 1997, AIM provided opportunities to look up and chat with other members.

AOL was one of many different companies leading the social networking revolution, but most struggled to attain universal appeal. That was until a husband-and-wife team successfully captured the hearts and minds of the British public by tapping into the nostalgic memories of our school days.

The result of their work was Friends Reunited, arguably the first social media network to achieve widespread appeal in the UK. Launched in 2000 by Julie and Steve Pankhurst, the website grouped users into classes and years, allowing long forgotten connections to be

The roll out, first to other Ivy League universities, then to other universities across America, Canada and the UK also provided an opportunity for Facebook to manage its growth, ensuring that any potential glitches could be addressed before reaching the mainstream – something that was attributed to the downfall of Myspace.

By the time Facebook was made available to anyone in the UK aged over 13 and with a valid email address, the platform had amassed 12 million global users, with half a million UK accounts registered in October 2006 alone.

Hitting the mainstream

Looking back through the newspaper archives of the time, it seems remarkable just how little media attention the platform received. Writing in 2006, when examining some of the different channels available, The Daily Telegraph simply described it as, “Like Friends Reunited, but free to use”.

All that would change a year later when Prince William joined the platform. Suddenly, Facebook wasn’t just another social media platform, but one that had seemingly received royal endorsement. As it’s user base grew, businesses were quick to spot the marketing potential offered by social media. One of the UK’s earliest examples

Where did the Revolution start...?

saw Cadbury respond to an outcry from the now 3.5 million strong community by announcing the return of the Wispa bar.

Where there are people, there are PR opportunities!

The return of the Wispa illustrates how brands were able to tap into public sentiment and seize the initiative when it comes to capitalising on the PR opportunities offered through social media.

Business pages, launched in 2007, also presented new ways for companies to build a new audience for their products and services, often enticing individuals to like a post and tag friends, in return for a potential reward.

Marketers were quick to spot the enormous potential of viral marketing campaigns, driven through social media. As new creative ways of engaging with audiences were developed, brands often attempted to test the boundaries of possibility.

Perhaps one of the most notorious examples of this was the shortlived, “Would you sacrifice your friend for a burger?” campaign produced by Burger King.

The concept of the campaign was a fiendishly simple one, based around the premise, what do you love more, a Whopper or your friends? If a Facebook user deleted 10 of their friends, Burger King would reward them with a free Whopper.

Designed to poke fun at the superficiality of online friendships, Facebook didn’t see the funny side of the campaign. Within a matter of days, Facebook disabled it, claiming it violated the platform.

The short-lived campaign saw 60,000 take up the challenge, resulting in more than 230,000 friendships being sacrificed in the quest to receive a free burger. You can read more about this innovative campaign here.

This campaign illustrates the way in which both effective PR and creative social media usage can be integrated together to maximise media impact. Needless to say, the campaign quickly pricked up the ears of journalists and resulted in headlines being generated across the world.

For Burger King, this resulted in a significant increase in website traffic, as well as amassing 40,000 Facebook fans.

What does the future hold for Facebook?

Social Media channels are continually evolving and changing – they always have done, and Facebook is no exception. As long ago as 2008, Britain’s love affair with Facebook has been called into question; however, I think it will continue to play an important role in social media strategies

for the foreseeable future.

Although marketers perhaps first tapped into Facebook’s ability to engage with the lucrative 18-34 demographic, the platform is no longer the disrupter that it once was. As its audience enters middle age, will evolution be enough to maintain its strong market share?

One of the main reasons companies like Facebook and Google have remained market leaders in their respective fields for such a long time is their recognition that they can’t simply stand still.

Channels such as AOL, Friends Reunited and Myspace all once held seemingly unassailable market shares, but all found themselves consigned to the history books. Will Facebook have the same fate?

Is facebook still relevant as a marketing channel?

The launch of Threads in 2023, in response to declining X (formerly known as Twitter) usage, illustrates that Facebook is continuing to keep one eye firmly on the future. Yet platforms such as TikTok have surpassed Facebook’s dominance, particularly amongst younger social media users. It will be interesting to see how Facebook adapts and responds. If parent organisation Meta can avoid repeating the mistakes of its predecessors, then I think Facebook will remain relevant to businesses both large and small, for many years to come.

There have been many new social media platforms that have come and gone since 2004, but few have captured the public imagination in the way that Facebook has. The most recent report analysing social media usage in the UK revealed that 84% of the total population are active social media users. Of those channels, the top three are all owned by Facebook’s parent company Meta.

When it comes to maximising investment in social media marketing, knowing where your customers hang out will reap dividends. This means getting to grips with understanding who is using a particular channel and why.

Perhaps what the past 20 years has taught us is that social media marketing isn’t just a fad or a passing fancy, it’s something that can be a transformational tool when it comes to driving business growth.

Matthew Ridsdale Founder, Cannon PR

...connect

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Anuga FoodTec 2024: Shaping the Future of Responsible Food & Beverage Industry

Anuga FoodTec 2024, scheduled from the 19th to the 22nd of March, stands out as a premier trade fair for the global food and beverage (F&B) industry, serving as a pivotal hub for suppliers in Cologne. Anticipating the participation of around 1,350 exhibitors, with over 60% hailing from international markets, the event draws leading global F&B manufacturers such as Nestlé, Unilever, and Coca-Cola. It accentuates the sector’s significance in areas like production, processing, packaging, food safety, automation, digitalisation, and intralogistics. “Responsibility” is the overarching theme for Anuga FoodTec 2024, spotlighting the industry’s extensive effects on global energy and freshwater usage, alongside the dichotomy of food wastage vis-à-vis hunger and obesity concerns.

Industry Significance and Thematic Focus

The fair addresses these challenges with a united approach, illustrating how innovative technologies can foster more sustainable and accountable food systems. It zeroes in on initiatives such as diminishing energy consumption, devising recyclable materials, enhancing working conditions, reducing noxious ingredients, prolonging product shelf life, and delving into alternative proteins. These endeavours are in harmony with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), targeting the creation of accessible, nutritious, and eco-friendly foodstuffs.

Anuga FoodTec emerges as a forum to delve into the future of food production, underscoring the importance of energy efficiency, dependable supply chains, Industry 4.0, sustainable packaging, and alternative proteins. It presents an exhaustive survey of equipment, analytical devices, and packaging materials, addressing the needs across all F&B sectors. Unlike

other exhibitions, Anuga FoodTec spans an extensive array of solutions, ranging from cost-effective to cuttingedge technologies, offering an unparalleled chance for talent recruitment and industry networking. The final day of the fair, Careers Day, encourages students to engage with exhibiting companies, emphasising the event’s role in moulding the industry’s future.

Conclusion: A Call for Global Collaboration

In summary, Anuga FoodTec 2024 provides an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders in the F&B sector to confront present challenges, unveil innovations, and contribute to a more sustainable and responsible future. The event champions global collaboration to bolster food security, safety, and industry standards, marking a crucial stride towards shaping the future of responsible food and beverage production.

Uncover the future of food & drink at IFE 2024

IFE, part of Food Drink & Hospitality Week, returns to ExCeL London on 25-27 March packed with innovative new products, insightful discussions and countless opportunities to network with industry peers.

For over 40 years, IFE has been a must-attend trade event for retailers, wholesalers, hospitality professionals and more to learn about the latest new trends and products in UK and international food & drink.

With 14 exciting food & drink zones to explore, including new additions in the form of the Cheese Pavilion, the Hot Beverage Pavilion and the Fresh Produce Section, in partnership with the Fresh Produce Consortium, there are countless products to taste and discover.

In addition to thousands of delectable products from across the UK, IFE has representation from over 50 countries around the world including pavilions from Turkey, Thailand, France, Sri Lanka, China, Ecuador, Hungary and Cyprus.

The Startup Market, home to up-and-coming businesses and inspiring food & drink entrepreneurs, will once again be a bustling hub of innovation at the heart of the show, while sections such as Speciality Food, Vegan & Plant-based and the Free From Pavilion will reflect some of the most important trends in the 2024 industry landscape.

This year’s event will also see the return of the New Products Tasting Theatre, where visitors to the show can hear live pitches from startups, attend live tasting and hear from companies including Bidfood and Sysco as part of the Distributor Discovery Hours.

On the Future Food stage, visitors will have the chance to hear from leading industry figures including retailers like Co-Op and Ocado, sustainability pioneers such as Abel & Coland Rubies in the Rubble and innovative insight partners including Tried & Supplied, IGD, European Food and Farming Partnerships and Avocado Social.

Kelly Orme, Buying Manager- Community Buying at Coop, who will be taking part in a panel titled ‘Navigating the startup scene: Advice from those in the know’, comments:

“Startups are an important source of innovation and fresh ideas in the food & drink industry. I’m looking forward

to joining this panel at IFE 2024 and discussing how retailers can support and mentor suppliers as they scale and further develop their product ranges.”

Ed Ayton, Sustainability & Ethics Advisor to Abel & Cole and panellist on the session, ‘Sustainability pioneers: Global food and drink companies setting the standard’, adds: “Our team always comes back from IFE buzzing with new ideas and networks, so I’m delighted to taking part and supporting the programme this year.”

Day two of the show will see IGD curate a fascinating day of content on the Future Food stage, with sessions covering everything from economic forecasts for food & drink retail, sustainability, health, learnings international retail and an exclusive case study with a key client of IGD.

Sarah Baldock, Marketing and Communications Director at IGD, says: “As IFE’s Insight Partner we can’t wait to welcome industry to ExCeL London for Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. IGD will be taking to the Future Food stage to offer retailers and suppliers a wealth of insight to help them identify opportunities over the coming year and beyond.

“Our combined team of retail, shopper, health, sustainability and economics experts look forward to helping delegates get closer to the UK market within an international context, and our exhibition stand on the show floor will offer a space for those vital one-on-one conversations. We’re delighted to be partnering with IFE this year to help delegates get the most out of their visit. We look forward to seeing you there!”

IFE takes place alongside IFE Manufacturing, The Pub Show, HRC and International Salon Culinaire as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, the UK’s biggest celebration of industry innovation. To learn more about everything happening this year, and to register for your complimentary trade ticket, visit ife.co.uk.

Accelerate Your Food and Beverage Plant Decarbonisation by Attending Sustainable Food Factory 2024

A world-class conference programme with best-in-class exhibitors to help UK food and beverage manufacturers continue progressing towards low-carbon operations

In an era where sustainability is a business expectation, food and beverage manufacturers face increasing pressure from consumers, investors, employees and other stakeholders to improve their environmental credentials.

While factory emissions may not be the primary contributor, these Scope 1 and 2 emissions remain significant, and it is crucial factories take steps to reduce their environmental impact.

Major gains can be made through process and technology innovation to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, lower energy and water consumption, decrease waste, improve margins and create more sustainable operations.

The wider manufacturing facility can also play a role in reducing emissions through the implementation of, for example, solar photovoltaic technology.

Adopting an innovation mindset is key to ensuring the factory is best positioned to drive long-term success and remain competitive.

Sustainable Food Factory 2024 on June 12 at Nottingham Trent University will provide an unprecedented opportunity for manufacturers looking to further improve their operations and make them more sustainable.

World-class conference programme

The event offers a world-class conference programme delivered by a line-up of low-carbon experts - through presentations and interactive panel debates – to help delegates learn from peers who are successfully creating sustainable manufacturing operations.

Delegates attending the event will have access to the very latest industry thinking surrounding plant decarbonisation. The knowledge gained will equip them with practical and applicable solutions for their operations, enabling them to make significant progress towards a low-carbon future.

In addition to gaining insights into plant decarbonisation, delegates will also learn how to effectively engage and motivate their staff and foster a culture of sustainability. Employee buy-in can positively influence the operational culture, drive further decarbonisation gains and enable senior managers to address their Scope 3 emissions beyond the plant.

Collaboration and partnership Collaboration and partnership are key components of June’s event.

By working with the right solution partner, manufacturers can free up critical resources that can be directed towards core tasks and ensure they are leveraging the latest process and technology innovations to improve sustainable manufacturing outcomes.

Twenty exhibitors will be on hand to share their expertise with delegates and demonstrate their competence to be a partner of choice.

Sustainable Food Factory 2024 takes place on 12 June at Clifton Campus, Nottingham Trent University. More information is available at

THE FUTURE OF LOGISTICS UNFOLDS

Bigger and better than ever, Multimodal 2024 is already smashing records with over 230 exhibitors already signed up, including industry giants such as Amazon, CEVA Logistics, DP World, Hapag-Lloyd, Kuehne+Nagel, Maersk, Maritime Transport, Malcolm Logistics and Samskip Services. With expectations to exceed 300 exhibitors, this year’s event will offer unparalleled networking and business opportunities for the 12,000+ visitors over the three days of the show.

Multimodal is the one-stop shop for shippers and cargo owners to discover ways to improve their move their goods more sustainably, efficiently and more cost effectively. The three-day show between 11-13 June 2024 at the Birmingham NEC, offers unique opportunities to make valuable face-to-face contact with new prospects and existing companies.

It’s free to visit Multimodal 2024, registering in advance is recommended, to save time on arrival, at www.multimodal.org. uk All the conference sessions are free to attend too and with 4 theatres there is something of interest to everyone.

You’ll be in great company as already registered are representatives from Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Whitworths, Nestle UK&I, Diageo, Lovering Foods, Rowan International, Bunzl Catering, Glanbia Nutrition, Crops UK, Kingsland Drinks, AB World Foods and Poundland to name just a few.

Multimodal works in partnership with the leading trade associations ensuring all aspects of the industry are served, also ensuring that relevant topics are covered in the free to attend conference sessions. Partner associations include Logistics UK, the Cold Chain Federation, the Rail Freight Group, The Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics, the British International Freight Association, Institute of Export and International Trade, the United Kingdom Warehousing Association, and the Road Haulage Association.

A special highlight of the three days is the Multimodal Awards, which recognise outstanding industry-leading supply chain businesses and individuals. With seats for the awards always selling out, and just 200 places currently remaining, attendees are now being urged to secure their seats for the 11 June evening ceremony as soon as possible.

The 2024 Awards include some new judged Awards to continue the development and evolution of the event. The evening will be hosted by Kevin Keegan, an incredible host who brings enormous professionalism and fantastic humour. Places at the Awards can be booked at www.multimodal.org.uk/awards

The networking event you won’t want to miss! Be there for the Multimodal Mixer on 12 June. It’s a fun relaxed drinks reception open to all visitors and exhibitors, hosted by DP World on their stand in the Hall from 5pm, giving everyone a chance to mingle in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

To find out more about attending, entering the awards, exhibiting, or sponsoring, visit www.multimodal.org.uk, or contact Robert Jervis, Director on +44 (0) 20 7384 7760 or robert.jervis@clarionevents.com

INTRALOGISTEX INNOVATION TRAIL SET TO SHOWCASE PATH TO BUSINESS EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY

IntraLogisteX, the industry showcase for warehouse and logistics management solutions, this year includes an exciting new Innovation Trail in what is set to be the biggest and best event to date.

A true journey of discovery, the Innovation Trail provides a bespoke pathway to products and systems deemed to be the most transformative within the industry. Taking place at NEC Birmingham in March, IntraLogisteX will be accompanied by two other shows: the ever-popular Robotics and Automation Exhibition, and a highly anticipated Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition. Together they will feature more than 350 exhibitors, 60 conference sessions and 8,000-plus attendees from across the warehouse and logistics sector. It is the year’s unmissable event for professionals and business owners in search of new ways to maximise their company’s profit through intralogistics.

Stephen Brooks, managing director of Akabo Media, said:

“The Innovation Trail is a brilliant addition to this year’s event and will encompass not only IntraLogisteX but Robotics and Automation Exhibition and the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition as well. It is a carefully curated highlights package for visitors looking to refine their exhibition experience. The Innovation Trail is also an opportunity to meet the brands behind the solutions set to revolutionise warehouse and logistics operations. With the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition also new to this year’s event, 2024 is a landmark for IntraLogisteX which businesses and industry professionals will not want to miss out on.”

Kardex, Movu Robotics, i-Mark, and Exporta are among industry-leading brands whose pioneering solutions for the

warehouse and logistics sector feature as part of the Innovation Trail at IntraLogisteX 2024. The immersive, multi-experience event, along with the two collocated shows, offers live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies and software designed to counteract time-consuming, costly operational practices.

Visitors will discover the Robotics and Automation Exhibition to be an exceptionally enriching experience. The displays of automation are astounding and offer a tantalising glimpse of how next-generation intelligence can transform workplaces into more efficient and less demanding environments.

IntraLogisteX is meticulously crafted for personal interaction, fostering connections among industry professionals and business owners in a space tailored for generating ideas and outcomes. For the warehouse and logistics sector, the event stands unparalleled. It’s an exhilarating mix of breakthrough innovations and expert insights, as part of a packed agenda offering invaluable opportunities to engage with representatives from the industry’s most high-profile companies.

If you’re ready to be inspired, register your interest here: https://www.intralogistex.co.uk/

Your expert partner in hygienic solutions

Hiding in plain sight

Protect your food against hidden contamination risks

Small items, bigger risks.

Our BST J800 pens are designed to keep your food production safe.

Helping ensure food safety throughout the food production process:

• Metal detectable and x-ray visible

• Silver ion anti-bacterial technology

• Shatter resistant

• HACCP colour coded

• EU & FDA food regulation approved

• Made in Britain.

Ensuring Food Safety:

The Role of Teknomek BST J800 Pens in Contamination Risk Prevention

In the food production industry, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety is paramount to safeguarding consumer health and confidence. From processing to packaging, every step of the production process must adhere to rigorous quality control measures to mitigate contamination risks.

Among the arsenal of tools and equipment designed to uphold these standards, Teknomek BST J800 Pens stand out as indispensable assets in ensuring food safety and preventing contamination incidents.

Unveiling the Innovation: Teknomek BST J800 Pens

Teknomek BST J800 Pens represent a pinnacle of innovation in food production safety equipment. Engineered with precision and attention to detail, these pens are specifically designed to address the unique challenges of the food industry, offering a comprehensive solution for contamination risk prevention.

Metal Detectable and X-ray Visible Properties

One of the key features that set Teknomek BST J800 Pens apart is their metal detectable and X-ray visible properties. In a production environment where metal contamination poses a significant risk, these pens provide an added layer of protection by ensuring that any accidental fragments or foreign objects can be easily detected and removed during quality control procedures. This capability not only enhances product safety but also streamlines contamination detection processes, minimising downtime and mitigating potential hazards.

Shatter-Resistant Construction

Durability is essential in the demanding environments of food production facilities. Teknomek BST J800 Pens are engineered with shatter-resistant materials, ensuring reliability and longevity even in the most rigorous operational conditions. By withstanding impact and wear, these pens minimize the risk of breakage and fragmentation, thereby reducing the likelihood of contamination incidents associated with damaged equipment.

HACCP Color Coding for Seamless Hygiene Management

Hygiene management is a cornerstone of food safety protocols, and color coding plays a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness and preventing cross-contamination. Teknomek BST J800 Pens

are HACCP color coded, aligning with internationally recognized hygiene standards and facilitating seamless integration into existing hygiene management systems. By assigning specific colors to different areas or tasks, these pens help ensure that equipment is used appropriately and that hygiene protocols are consistently followed throughout the production facility.

Silver Ion Anti-Bacterial Technology

In addition to their physical attributes, Teknomek BST J800 Pens are equipped with silver ion anti-bacterial technology. This innovative feature inhibits the growth of bacteria on the pen’s surface, reducing the risk of microbial contamination and enhancing overall hygiene levels. With EU and FDA food regulation approval, these pens offer peace of mind to food producers, reassuring them that their equipment meets the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Made in Britain: A Stamp of Quality and Reliability

Teknomek BST J800 Pens are proudly made in Britain, a testament to their commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and reliability. By manufacturing these pens locally, Teknomek ensures stringent quality control measures and adherence to regulatory standards, providing customers with confidence in the performance and integrity of their products.

In an industry where safety and hygiene are non-negotiable, Teknomek BST J800 Pens emerge as indispensable tools for preventing contamination risks and upholding food safety standards. With their metal detectable and X-ray visible properties, shatter-resistant construction, HACCP color coding, and silver ion anti-bacterial technology, these pens offer a comprehensive solution for mitigating contamination risks in food production facilities. Made in Britain and approved by EU and FDA food regulations, Teknomek BST J800 Pens exemplify excellence in design, innovation, and reliability, ensuring the safety and integrity of food products from production to consumption.

ECOFILL AUTOCLAVES: Revolutionising Sustainability in the Food Industry

In the quest for sustainability, the food industry continues to innovate, seeking solutions that not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Enter ECOFILL AUTOCLAVES – a groundbreaking technology that is transforming the way food processing facilities operate. These autoclaves not only streamline sterilisation

REDEFINING STERILISATION PRACTICES

Sterilisation is a critical process in the food industry, ensuring the safety and shelf life of packaged foods. Traditionally, autoclaves have relied on significant amounts of water and energy to achieve the necessary levels of sterilisation. However, Ecofill autoclaves employ innovative design features and advanced technologies to minimise resource consumption while maximising efficiency.

WATER CONSERVATION: CAPTURING AND REUSING WATER

Water scarcity is a pressing global challenge, and the food industry has a significant role to play in conserving this precious resource. Ecofill autoclaves address this issue by incorporating water capture and reuse systems. During the sterilisation process, steam condensate is collected and treated, eliminating the need for continuous freshwater intake. By recycling water within the system, Ecofill autoclaves significantly reduce water consumption, minimising the environmental footprint of food processing operations.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: HARNESSING HEAT ENERGY

Energy-intensive processes pose a considerable sustainability challenge for the food industry. Ecofill autoclaves tackle this issue by optimizing energy utilisation and minimising wastage. These autoclaves are equipped with sophisticated heat recovery systems that capture and reuse thermal energy generated during the sterilisation process. By harnessing heat energy that would otherwise be lost, Ecofill autoclaves operate with remarkable efficiency, reducing electricity consumption and lowering operational costs.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

The adoption of Ecofill autoclaves offers a multitude of environmental benefits. By conserving water and minimising energy usage, these innovative systems help mitigate the environmental impact of food processing operations. Reduced water consumption translates to lower strain on freshwater sources and ecosystems, while improved energy efficiency contributes to greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, Ecofill autoclaves promote sustainable resource management practices, aligning with the broader goals of corporate sustainability and environmental stewardship.

ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES

In addition to their environmental benefits, Ecofill autoclaves deliver compelling economic advantages for food processing facilities. By minimising water and energy consumption, these systems help reduce utility costs and enhance operational efficiency. Moreover, the longevity and reliability of Ecofill autoclaves translate to lower maintenance expenses and downtime, maximising productivity and profitability over the long term. With a focus on sustainability and cost-effectiveness, Ecofill autoclaves offer a strategic investment for food manufacturers seeking to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

Ecofill autoclaves represent a paradigm shift in food processing technology, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution for sterilisation processes. By capturing and reusing water and heat energy, these innovative systems help conserve resources, minimise environmental impact, and enhance operational efficiency. As the food industry continues to prioritize sustainability and responsible stewardship, Ecofill autoclaves emerge as a compelling choice for businesses seeking to align their operations with environmental best practices while achieving economic viability. With their transformative capabilities, Ecofill autoclaves pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for the food industry.

The Value of LIMS in Manufacturing

Read how LIMS can aid Production Effectiveness

An article By Roy Green, Harford Control Ltd. March 2024

It’s frustrating to witness the frequent recalls of products in recent years, causing significant wastage, all testimony to the need for paramount control of food safety and quality. One example was the recall of four cheese products due to potential contamination with E. Coli bacteria. Tragically, one person in Scotland died from the infection, whilst 11 others were hospitalised.

Ensuring food safety and quality is crucial in the food and drink manufacturing industry. Most factories already carry out laboratory testing to assess the quality of materials, checking for compliance with specified tolerances and ensuring they are free from contamination.

Despite these precautions, a significant challenge can arise in bridging the gap between laboratory tests and the busy factory floor. This gap manifests in issues such as isolation, rejects, rework and costly product recalls, the inability to track raw materials, human errors, lost documentation, delayed data and downtime. The breakdown in communication poses a considerable risk to both the efficiency of the manufacturing process and, more critically, to consumer safety.

A Brewery’s Struggle

We visited a brewery and observed that they were encountering significant wastage and product recalls. The factory would extract multiple samples from various vessels and stages such as malting, mashing, boiling, fermenting and filtering. These samples were then taken to the laboratory for tests on factors including alcohol percentage, pH, colour analysis and clarity to ensure material quality and safety.

Everything seemed well-controlled until the gap between the laboratory and the factory floor became apparent. When the sample results were released from the laboratory, it was discovered that the sugar concentrations in the wort was too high, resulting in an alcohol percentage exceeding the tolerance limit. Unfortunately, the laboratory department couldn’t promptly communicate the failed samples to the production line, preventing operators from halting the materials in time.

As a result, the materials had already been transformed into finished products, leading to the disposal of multiple pallets of beer. At 800 cans per minute produced, it doesn’t take long to produce an impressive pile of scrap.

The occurrence of product recalls and wastages can often be avoided with the implementation of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), capable of capturing data at all stages, encompassing laboratory testing across the entire production process. This way, both the laboratory department and the factory floor could track and trace raw materials, accessing laboratory test results in real-time. Early warnings could prompt necessary actions, preventing potentially large losses.

Whilst laboratory testing serves as a proactive measure to ensure food safety and quality, its full potential couldn’t be realised without the full traceability of materials.

The Crucial Role of LIMS

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) play a crucial role in optimising processes, whilst ensuring quality and compliance. Here are some key benefits of implementing LIMS:

Ensure Quality Control

LIMS facilitates real-time monitoring and control of various parameters and tolerances such as temperature, taste, colour, pH and contamination throughout the production process, ensuring product safety and quality consistency. Automated data collection and analysis help identify deviations from quality standards, enabling timely corrective actions to maintain highquality standards.

Track and Trace

Whether it’s raw materials (e.g. fish) or a group of materials that have already been transformed (e.g. fish pie), the laboratory team can track and trace materials from start to finish.

Ensuring food safety and quality is crucial in the food and drink manufacturing industry. The foundation of these finished products lies in the raw materials used in the production process. Most factories already carry out laboratory testing to assess the quality of materials, checking for compliance with specified tolerances and ensuring that they are contamination free.

“ ”

Automated Sampling and Labelling

All samples can be tracked and managed from collection to analysis and disposal. The laboratory team can print labels to attach to the samples, documenting the testing process (pending, drawn, release) and the storage location. This helps reduce the likelihood of sample mix-ups, thereby enhancing efficiency and safety.

Scheduling Batches

The laboratory team can schedule batches and run separate procedures on sampling, a critical aspect of fresh products like frozen fish. For instance, upon arrival of frozen fish at the factory, the laboratory team typically has a 48-hour window to conduct tests and return the items to the freezer to prevent defrosting and waste.

Heldware

In the event that test results fall outside acceptable limits, the laboratory team can inform the factory floor to hold, and quarantine materials, whilst deciding whether to release or dispose of the raw materials at a later stage. LIMS can help capture information, conduct root cause analyses, evaluate downtime and calculate additional labour hours needed due to material failures. With this information, factories can detect batch rejections early and understand the root cause, in the hope of preventing them in future.

Workflow Automation

LIMS reduces reliance on manual processes, and minimises the risk of human error, whilst speeding up the testing processes. Whether weighing, titrating, using gas chromatography or other equipment, all results can be easily entered into fixed terminals, PCs or tablets and automatically updated in the system in real time. This eliminates lost documents, human errors and delays, fostering closer collaboration and communication between the laboratory team and the factory floor, leading to faster decision-making and improved overall efficiency.

Integrate with Existing Lab Machinery Laboratory equipment such as HPLC with multiple outputs can sometimes be connected directly to factory devices for instant data transfer, eliminating the need for keyboard entries and further minimising the risks of operator error.

Harford LIMS

Harford Control developed Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to help food and beverage manufacturers optimise the laboratory testing process and provide real-time actionable information, as stand-alone or a fully integrated part of Harford MES.

By automating tasks such as material usage confirmation, bulk material tracking and informing laboratory teams of sampling requirements, we help factories ensure material safety and quality, reduce risks and enhance efficiency.

Real-time monitoring and seamless integration of lab equipment with Harford LIMS enables proactive management of non-compliant products.

Most factories could benefit from LIMS. Contact Harford Control by calling +44 (0) 1225 764461 or send an email to: info@harfordcontrol.com.

Streamlining Food Production:

The Role of Processing Equipment in the Modern Food Industry

In the bustling world of food production, efficiency, reliability, and quality are paramount. Behind every delicious meal, snack, or beverage lies a sophisticated network of processing equipment meticulously designed to transform raw ingredients into finished products. From steam boilers to water treatment systems, each component plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of food processing facilities.

From steam boilers to water treatment systems, each component plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of food processing facilities. We delve into the significance of processing equipment in the food industry, exploring key technologies such as fuel-fired and electric steam boilers, ancillary plant systems, and engineered solutions for water treatment.

FUEL-FIRED AND ELECTRIC STEAM BOILERS:

Powering the Heart of Food Production

Steam boilers serve as the beating heart of many food processing operations, providing the energy necessary for cooking, sterilization, and heating processes. Fuel-fired steam boilers utilise natural gas, propane, or diesel to generate steam, offering robust performance and high efficiency. These boilers are prized for their versatility, capable of delivering precise temperature control essential for cooking, pasteurisation, and other thermal processes in food production.

On the other hand, electric steam boilers have gained traction due to their cleanliness, ease of installation, and minimal environmental impact. By harnessing electricity as a power source, electric boilers eliminate the need for on-site fuel storage and combustion, reducing emissions and ensuring compliance with stringent environmental regulations. Moreover, electric steam boilers excel in applications requiring rapid start-up times and precise temperature modulation, making them ideal for small-scale food processing operations and niche production lines.

ANCILLARY PLANT SYSTEMS:

Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity

Beyond steam generation, ancillary plant systems play a pivotal role in optimising the efficiency and productivity of food processing facilities. These systems encompass a wide range of equipment, including heat exchangers, pumps, valves, and piping networks, designed to transport fluids, regulate temperatures, and facilitate material handling throughout the production process.

Heat exchangers, for instance, play a critical role in energy recovery and process optimisation by transferring heat between different fluid streams. By harnessing the heat generated during pasteurization or cooking processes, heat exchangers can preheat incoming product streams, reducing energy consumption and enhancing overall efficiency. Similarly, pumps and valves regulate the flow of liquids and gases, ensuring precise control over process variables and minimizing product waste.

ENGINEERED SYSTEMS FOR WATER TREATMENT:

Safeguarding Quality and Compliance

Water serves as a ubiquitous ingredient and processing medium in the food industry, necessitating stringent quality standards and regulatory compliance. Engineered systems for water treatment play a pivotal role in safeguarding product quality, mitigating contamination risks, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.

HELPING YOUR FACILITY ON THE ROAD TO NET ZERO

Our class-leading range of fuel-fired and electric steam boilers and portfolio of aftercare solutions can help with your decarbonisation strategy and put your company on the Road to Net Zero.

As a complete solutions provider, Fulton can provide your food processing facility with:

· fuel-fired and electric steam boilers

· off-grid and point-of-use solutions

· ancillary plant / engineered systems

· steam surveys

· project management

· water treatment contracts

· accredited / certified training

· installation / commissioning / upgrades

· repair / service / maintenance programmes

For further information scan the QR code, visit www.fulton.co.uk, email sales@fulton.co.uk or call the office on +44 (0)117 972 3322.

Krones Process & Filling Technology

Krones at Anuga FoodTec 2024

What are the challenges faced by beverage and food producers worldwide? One is certainly ensuring security across the entire production process – because, of course, only products of impeccable quality should ever roll off the line and make their way to consumers.

What are the challenges faced by beverage and food producers worldwide? One is certainly ensuring security across the entire production process – because, of course, only products of impeccable quality should ever roll off the line and make their way to consumers. Another is sustainability, a factor that applies along the entire value chain. As we approach the end of certain finite resources, society has an obligation to do everything in its power to protect the natural environment and our planet as a whole. Of course, it goes without saying that these topics also play a central role in the vision and mission of the Krones Group, whether for new and continuing developments or for its many overarching concepts and services. At Anuga FoodTec 2024, Krones, together with its subsidiaries Steinecker, Milkron, Evoguard and HST, will be presenting plant and engineering solutions for beverage and food production. One main focus will be on showcasing customised, holistic sustainability concepts, especially those designed to save water and energy in the production process.

Integrated modular sustainability concepts

Krones plant engineering looks at a customer’s entire value chain and offers advice for recovering and recy-cling energy and water across the production operation. Steinecker and Milkron also offer a variety of ap-proaches to optimise sustainability in the production of milk and dairy products and plant-based alternatives, juices and soft drinks. Specific applications include HydroCircle, a complete concept for wastewater recycling, and specially designed heat exchanger systems or heat pumps for sustainable energy recovery.

Bioreactors for the “new food” sector

When it comes to leveraging synergies, Krones doesn’t limit itself to simply choosing solutions for customers. Instead, the company seeks to use them to develop new systems and technologies, drawing on decades of in-house expertise in process technology and plant engineering and applying it to new and different product categories. The latest example of this comes from Steinecker, whose knowledge of and technology for fermenting beer, combined with Krones’ aseptic expertise, can be adapted to accomplish the cell-based manufacturing of new food products. Steinecker’s bioreactor is suitable for both precision fermentation and cell cultivation, mak-ing it possible to manufacture new food products like alternative proteins for meat substitutes and whey and egg proteins. Krones recently launched a partnership with the Swiss startup Food Brewer, and now the two companies are testing various applications and sharing the results with other companies to develop their own recipes and trials.

visit: www.krones.com

Equipment for the production and preservation of beverages and foods

For further process technology, Krones also offers a diverse range of solutions, from the plant planning and engineering expertise of Milkron to HST’s HLI90 high-pressure homogeniser and the VarioAsept D direct-heating system from Krones right through to the broad portfolio of pumps and valves from Evoguard and Ampco, for both standard and aseptic applications. Krones is also driving security and sustainability in other filling and packaging processes. For instance, by offering filling valves specially designed for the respective final product, we are

Food and Drink Network, Sustainability, 133 x 186 mm, CC-en 02/24

ensuring the highest quality when filling milk and dairy products and plant-based alterna-tives, juices and sauces. Meanwhile, LitePac Top is one of the most sustainable packaging concepts available today for PET containers and cans. Integrated concepts and solutions are among the greatest strengths of Krones process technology and of the entire group.

Shaping the future together

It’s important to look beyond the short term, which is why Krones is working on “Solutions beyond tomorrow”. Beverage filling lines, digital services and plastics recycling: Krones’ innovative solutions combine superior performance with sustainability.

Anuga FoodTec 2024, 19-22 March, Cologne, Hall 5.1/Stand A120-D129

krones.com

Steinecker’s bioreactor was premiered at the BrauBeviale 2023. It holds 500 litres and is used to produce 10 to 20% biomass.

At Cross+Morse we aim to fulfil all industry demands, from the simplest to the highest level of precision required. Our objective is to offer a complete solution - not just products - to your power transmission challenges.

Cross+Morse are known in the industry as pioneers in quality standards, which is why we take our quality control processes very seriously. Quality assurance is central to our organisation with controls encompassing all aspects of design, manufacture, logistics and customer service. We are ISO 9001:2015 accredited and have been for over 20 years.

At Cross+Morse we have continuously invested in top of the range measuring equipment: Co-ordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), digital tri-bore gauges and micrometres which are constantly calibrated to comply with ISO standards. Our stringent inspection process guarantees that when manufacturing each operation is thoroughly inspected by either a highly trained shop-floor staff supervisor or an inspector, ensuring that manufacturing is only allowed to continue when each phase has been approved. Our hardening treatment is checked using Rockwell or a Vickers testing machine.

We review our quality procedures continuously to provide up-to-date mechanisms for ensuring conformity to the quality system; different audits are carried out on all activities in the company throughout each year.

freewheels, roller ramp clutches, combined sprag and bearing units and many more.

Cross+Morse is the largest authorised distributor and stockist for American transmission products manufactured by RegalBeloit (formerly EPT) in the United Kingdom. The range includes Sealmaster®, Browning®, Jaure®, Kop-Flex®, McGill® and Morse®.

Inverted tooth chain: including the standard SC type from 3/16” to 2” pitch and HV type from 3/8” to 2” pitch; as well as conveyor chains up to 12” width in centre or outside guide construction. We manufacture standard and special sprockets in-house for a complete drive solution.

We pride ourselves in offering a complete range of overload protection devices ranging from the simplest to the most accurate and precise overload clutch: Sheargard range of overload clutches, wedge pin type, available as a chain coupling and the option of low inertia rubber elastic couplings for higher speed drives. The Crossgard range, ball detent type, comes in 3 versions and also available with roller chain and low inertia rubber coupling option. The Safegard CS series, ball/roller detent type, comes in 2 two basic types (standard or mini) and also available as shaft couplings. Series CZ and CN zero backlash Safegard clutches for responsive overload protection, available in both basic and shaft coupling types.

We offer a wide stock range of flexible shaft couplings to accommodate different types of misalignment: Jaw couplings, elastomeric couplings, roller and Delrin® chain couplings, gear couplings GFA & GFAS, polymer gear couplings, Morflex elastomeric disc couplings and Crossflex disc couplings.

Our Crossbore® rework service includes reboring, keywaying and setscrewing of standard sprockets, pulleys and gears in a dedicated production area with specialised CNC machines for a rapid response. Induction hardening of teeth is also offered in-house.

For further information contact:

Shaft clamping elements for precision transmission of torque with no backlash: a complete range from stock.

Our range of Freewheel clutches for overrunning, indexing and backstopping applications; including sprag clutches, industrial ratchet

Telephone: +44 (0) 121 360 0155

Email: sales@crossmorse.com or visit www.crossmorse.com

Latest ‘how to’ food application videos from Silverson Machines

Silverson High Shear mixers are ideal for a range of applications across the food industry, as demonstrated in the variety of topics in their latest ‘how to’ videos. Below we outline the latest videos to be added to the extensive Silverson ‘how to’ video series.

How to prepare samples for Aflatoxin Testing

In this video, viewers can see how Silverson mixers can be used in the preparation of samples for aflatoxin testing as we demonstrate a typical 50:50 pistachio nuts and water mix. Research has identified that preparation of samples by slurrying offers significant advantages over dry milling. Silverson high shear mixers can rapidly disintegrate the nuts and form a homogeneous slurry with a fine uniform particle size.

How to Manufacture Batter Mixes

Silverson High Shear mixers can easily create a 50:50 powder:liquid batter mix without lumps, demonstrated in this video. Other formulations and higher concentrations are also possible.

The vigorous movement created by a Silverson Ultramix in-tank mixer ensures powders that tend to float on the liquid surface are quickly wetted out and a homogeneous, smooth mixture is rapidly obtained. For bulk production, the Silverson Flashmix and Silverson In-Line mixers are suitable for manufacturing batter mixes. InLine mixers can also be installed between holding tanks and subsequent processes, maintaining a uniform consistency and preventing lumps from blocking the system.

How to Manufacture CBD Gummies

This video shows how a Silverson mixer can blend high-viscosity syrup into water, as well as incorporate gelling agents and CBD oil to produce CBD gummy sweets.

In this video, viewers can see how Silverson mixers can be used in the preparation of samples for aflatoxin testing as we demonstrate a typical 50:50 pistachio nuts and water mix.

CBD oil-based food products are becoming increasingly popular due to claimed benefits including pain relief and reduction of inflammation. The mixing equipment is critical in producing high-quality CBD

oil-based foods, such as gummies and sweets, as a stable emulsion must be created. The batch-to-batch consistency achieved with a Silverson mixer is also advantageous where declared CBD potency levels need to be maintained.

Silverson High Shear mixers can easily create a 50:50 powder:liquid batter mix without lumps, demonstrated in this video. Other formulations and higher concentrations are also possible.

How to make Oat Milk

A Silverson mixer can be used for the dispersion of oats into water, whether they come in whole, cut, rolled, or flour form. Fitted with a Fine Stator Screen a Silverson mixer can reduce the solids down to a fine, uniform particle size. The same mixer can also be used to incorporate enzymes, plant oils and stabilising agents. The fine particle size obtained with a Silverson mixer reduces waste through filtration to an absolute minimum. This video focuses on Oat milk, but many of the processes shown in this video can be applied to some of the other types of plant-based milks.

Images

The STOPP project, to produce strategies for food plastic packaging circularity

STOPP, an initiative co-funded by SIRE and the European Union (within the framework of the research and innovation programme Horizon Europe) to promote sustainable food packaging use and reduce plastic waste and environmental impact has just kicked off.

STOPP looks for a significant reduction of the environmental impact derived from the use of plastics in food packaging in line with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, with ambitious goals to cut down on packaging waste by 2030. The project will involve all the links in the food packaging value chain, from the plastic or the agri-food industry to the end users, the food retail industry, or policymakers.

STOPP will create circular strategies for plastic usage and processing. It will also generate awareness campaigns within a multi-actor network that involves profiles from every stage of the food packaging value chain. Some of its specific actions will be:

• To analyse the impact of plastic waste in different ecosystems.

• To monitor the current use of plastics in the food packaging industry.

• To create a sustainable business model that can be replicated.

• To take actions that enhance recycling.

• Conducting a customer voice study.

STOPP will lead Europe’s transition into a more sustainable usage of food packaging that keeps food safety standards. For 36 months, fourteen partners from seven countries will closely collaborate to maximize the project efforts and results. The project outcomes are meant to set a basis for the European decision-making process towards plastic usage in the food value chain and are in line with the European Green Deal.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor REA can be held responsible for them.

Plastic waste: a challenge in need of solutions in Europe

plastics used for food packaging, can end up being wasted in only one year. This problem can be fixed by creating sustainable and smart ways of plastic usage along the value chain as, although the situation is improving, there is space for improvement. As an example, many companies are awarding their customers if they reuse packaging, but there are still many that don’t do so.

Another specific problem that isn’t usually perceived as that is the consumer’s attitudes towards their own recycling attitudes. Most of the studies are based on self-reported practices, and these often offer limited insight into real-life actions and can be biased, especially concerning socially desirable behaviours such as recycling. Good practices among the companies involved in the food value chain need to be improved, as well as it is needed a better understanding of the customers’ real-life attitudes and routines.

About STOPP

STOPP is a collaborative initiative that aims to revolutionise the food packaging value chain by promoting circular and sustainable solutions. It is led by VTT, and its consortium is formed by the University of Vaasa, the National Institute of Chemistry of Slovenia, the National Institute of Biology of Slovenia, ReMONDIS Recycling, HSY (Helsinki Region Environmental Services), GreenDelta, Sustainable Innovations, Plastics Recyclers Europe, Ekokumppanit, Pirkanmaan Jätehuolto, Veolia, Braskem, and reCIRCLE. STOPP has received a grant of €3,998,452.00 from the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme of the European Union.

Plastic Recyclers Europe estimated that almost 10 million tonnes of polypropylene and high-density polyethene, the most common

• This project aims to create the basis for a new food packaging value chain based on the “5 Rs”: Refuse, Reduce, Redesign, Reuse and Recycle.

• The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI).

In a new packaging development partnership, SN Maschinenbau and Südpack have developed an overall concept for the in-house production of stand-up pouches with spouts, which is designed for the packaging of paste and liquid products. The concept is aimed at food manufacturers and bottlers who previously use premade spout bags and will be presented at Anuga FoodTec 2024.

makes handling much easier and allows staff to process a larger number of pouches more efficiently, for example because there is no need for timeconsuming separation of the rails. The low-maintenance machine works highly efficiently and, thanks to its compact design, can also be used in production environments with limited available floorspace. This means it can be set up flexibly either directly on the filling machine

For more information contact Penn Packaging at 01473 893990 or email@penn-packaging.co.uk

Artisan Gin company breaks new ground with aluminium bottles

Penrhos Spirits – the Herefordshire based artisan gin company – have recently launched a range of gins available in eye-catching aluminium bottles supplied by Vetroplas in conjunction with its Spanish manufacturing partner Envases.

The 70cl aluminium bottles – which feature a 28/410 neck thread and a BPA NI PE liner – are finished with an aluminium screw cap.

Aluminium is 100 per cent recyclable and resonates with a strong consumer trend for environmentally friendly packaging. Additionally, as aluminium is lighter than glass, fuel usage is reduced when transporting the finished packs. Aluminium recycling uses, on average, 90% less energy than glass bottles. Penrhos also chose to use 100 per cent recycled aluminium (PCR) further increasing the packaging’s green credentials.

The distinctive bottle colour and decoration were achieved by offset printing the artwork over an opaque base coat and sealed with a matt lacquer.

Commenting, Charles Turner, one of the company’s founding members said: “We have a distinctive range of gins and this new packaging format provides a really strong stand out on shelf. The ease with which aluminium bottles can be recycled

“We have a distinctive range of gins and this new packaging format provides a really strong stand out on shelf. The ease with which aluminium bottles can be recycled was also a major factor in our choice of Vetroplas’ bottles

was also a major factor in our choice of Vetroplas’ bottles. We know this element is appreciated by customers and forms part of our philosophy of reducing carbon footprint where possible.”

For further information please visit Penrhosspirits.co.uk • Vetroplas.com

Food and drink vendors across Wales are preparing to make changes to the separation of their waste for recycling ahead of the new law.

From 6 April, all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations will need to sort their waste for recycling, in the same way as households do across most of Wales. These changes in the separation of waste will improve both the quality and quantity of recycling in Wales, while also helping to reduce carbon emissions and lay the foundations for a cleaner, greener Wales for future generations. Many businesses have already started making the changes and have been experiencing some positive results.

Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay, which is a food and drink venue, has reported a 60-70% saving in waste disposal costs through recycling since making changes to the separation of its waste.

Becky Jones, Marketing Manager from Mermaid Quay said: “Given the different business outlets within Mermaid Quay, from restaurants and bars to gift shops and retail outlets, we wanted to get ahead and prepare for the change early.

“We started making changes to our waste separation back in 2020. At this time, we supplied all our tenants with a waste strategy guide in their tenant handbook, ensuring they had all the necessary tools to ensure proper waste and recycling disposal. We also provided them with signage, color-coded bins, and stickers. In addition, we facilitated efficient sorting before transportation to our service yard for secondary segregation.

“We are lucky enough to have both the space and staff to undertake a secondary segregation of the waste streams. This helps to both reduce contamination and remove items that have found themselves in the wrong containers. This process has helped us to reduce our volume of general waste, increase recycling rates and decrease our waste management costs. This is down to less general waste being produced and therefore, less collections, which previously would’ve been the larger proportion of our waste removal from the site.”

Becky added: “While it may appear daunting, the process is surprisingly straightforward. I’d say planning and communication is key to success. If your staff, guests, tenants, and visitors have clear guidance on what they need to do, the transition should be easy, and will have positive results in the long run. In just 20 years, Wales has gone from recycling less than 5% to recycling over 65% of our waste

and is ranked third in the world for household recycling rates. This helps to save around 400,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

The new law will help to continue to increase recycling rates while supporting Wales’ commitment to become a zero-waste nation by 2050.

For more information on how the changes will affect your workplace and for guidance on what you need to do visit www.gov.wales/workplacerecycling.

What the new law means:

• All workplaces including businesses, public sector organisations and charities, will need to separate food; paper and card; glass; metal, plastics and cartons; unsold textiles and small waste electrical/electronic equipment.

• It is the occupiers of a workplace who must ensure recycling is separated for collection. If multiple workplaces are in a shared location, each individual organisation is responsible but may need to agree with the landlord or facilities manager if a central recycling system is required.

• The law also applies to all waste recycling collectors and processors who manage household-like waste from workplaces.

Advice for workplaces preparing for the new law:

• Plan ahead – find out what the changes mean to you, what you need to do to comply and allow plenty of time to implement changes.

• Talk to your recycling and waste collector – you need to make sure they can collect your separated waste.

• Look at where and how your waste is collected – can you reduce the amount of waste you produce? What materials will you need to separate and what is the best way to do it.

• Think about what internal & external bins you might need –what containers will you need for each of the different recycling materials.

• Communicate – develop a plan to communicate the changes to staff, guests, visitors, customers etc so they understand what they need to do with their waste.

• Think about health and safety – make sure your bins are accessible, are easy to access and move.

Thermo King Starts Production of the New Fully Electric E-500e for Electric Light Commercial Vehicles

● New model in the flagship E-Series range for urban and inner-city deliveries

● 100% electric powered for seamless operations with e-LCVs

● Highly efficient and sustainable solution to reduce carbon emissions

Thermo King®, a leader in transport temperature control solutions and a brand of Trane Technologies, announced today the next step in launching their fully electric E-Series designed for electric light commercial vehicles (LCV). The company is starting the production of the new E-500e single and multitemperature models for fleet operators looking for electric edge in inner city and urban deliveries.

“With the E-500e model, we deliver an all-electric solution that extends the limits of what is possible today, and help our customers do the same,” said Davide Fusciani, product manager Thermo King. ”The E-Series is not only 100% electric, but also energy-efficient at heart, with an unmatched cooling capacity and an ideal use for urban areas.”

“For this model, we went back to the drawing board, keeping our customers’ and the environment’s needs at heart. With the European Union calling for CO₂ emissions from new trucks to be cut by 90% by 2040, we give our customers solutions that help them align with this transition and future proof their operations. We are now starting the production of the E-500e single and multi-temperature units, and more models will follow,” said Davide Fusciani.

Energy-efficiency at heart

The E-500e is designed to extract the full potential of electrically powered refrigeration while ensuring the lowest possible impact on the battery and range of the electric vehicle. Customdesigned inverter technology, a patented power control system and real-time communication between the unit and the vehicle maximise the cooling performance, energy efficiency and optimal power supply with minimal impact on the vehicle’s autonomy.

100% electric operations.

The E-500e is powered directly by the vehicle’s battery, eliminating the need to invest in an additional battery pack or shore connection module. Drivers can keep their refrigeration unit running while their battery electric vehicle (BEV) is charging or stationed at a delivery stop.

Unmatched performance levels

A brand-new, high-speed compressor with RPM independent of the vehicle’s speed generates new levels of electric cooling capacity up to 4.5 kW and both cooling and heating modes to fit customers’ multiple application needs.

Ultimate operational flexibility across the last mile

The E-500e is fully compliant with LEZ, ULEZ and ZEZ emission zones, as well as diesel-ban areas leading the way to flexible and efficient operations with day and night access into any city centre.

Compact design for increased payload

The units are easy to install on panel vans, chassis cab trucks and other types of vehicle conversions thanks to the compact design, which delivers high performance with half the weight of an equivalent legacy unit. Lower weight means a reduced impact on the battery-electric vehicle’s range and maximizes the vehicle’s payload, increasing operational flexibility and bottom line.

Sustainable ambitions

The new E-Series unit is designed to answer the challenges of e-LCVs and inner-city deliveries such as how to keep temperature control performance high with minimal energy consumption, how to offer cost-effective solution to a high investment choice, and how to reduce the refrigeration unit’s impact on the range of the BEV. The E-500e translates these challenges into a highly efficient and sustainable solution.

Providing electric solutions for refrigerated transportation is part of Thermo King’s and Trane Technologies’ overall approach to reducing carbon emissions. It aligns with the company’s bold 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons.

Unveiling the Advantages of Purchasing Food Factory Equipment via Online Auctions

In the dynamic landscape of the food industry, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and innovation reign supreme. For entrepreneurs and established businesses alike, acquiring topnotch food production equipment is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and meeting consumer demands.

In this digital age, online auction sites have emerged as game-changers, offering a myriad of benefits for those seeking to invest in food factory equipment and machines. Among these platforms, Industrial Auctions stands out as a premier online auctioneer, facilitating seamless transactions for buyers and sellers in the food and beverage sector.

ACCESS TO A DIVERSE RANGE OF EQUIPMENT

One of the primary advantages of utilizing online auction sites like Industrial Auctions is the extensive selection of food production equipment available. From industrial mixers and ovens to packaging machines and refrigeration units, buyers are presented with a diverse array of options to suit their specific needs and preferences. Unlike traditional purchasing methods that may limit choices to local suppliers or manufacturers, online auctions provide access to a global marketplace, allowing buyers to source high-quality equipment from around the world.

COMPETITIVE PRICING AND COST SAVINGS

Cost considerations play a pivotal role in any business decision, and purchasing food factory equipment through online auctions often translates to significant cost savings. Auction formats foster competition among bidders, driving prices down and enabling buyers to secure equipment at below-market rates. Moreover, online auctions eliminate many of the overhead costs associated with traditional procurement channels, such as intermediary fees and showroom expenses. As a result, businesses can acquire essential machinery and tools without compromising their budgets, ultimately enhancing profitability and financial sustainability.

TRANSPARENCY AND MARKET INSIGHTS

Transparency is paramount when making substantial investments, and online auctions offer unparalleled visibility into the pricing and condition of food production equipment. Detailed listings provide comprehensive descriptions, photographs, and, in some cases, inspection reports, empowering buyers to make informed decisions based on accurate information. Additionally, participating in online auctions enables businesses to gauge market trends and benchmark prices against comparable assets. By gaining insights into prevailing market conditions, buyers can strategise effectively and optimize their purchasing strategies for maximum value.

STREAMLINED PROCUREMENT PROCESS

Traditional procurement processes often entail lengthy negotiations, paperwork, and logistical hurdles, which can impede the timely acquisition of equipment. Conversely, online auctions streamline the purchasing process, expediting transactions and reducing administrative burdens. With just a few clicks, buyers can browse listings, place bids, and finalise transactions from the comfort of their offices or homes. Furthermore, online auction platforms like Industrial Auctions typically provide robust customer support and logistics services, facilitating smooth transactions and timely delivery of equipment to buyers’ designated locations.