Food and Drink Network 25.07

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Removal: Flexible Water Treatment Solutions for Food & Beverage Manufacturers

RENNER S MODUL

Flexible and future-proof labelling

Tastes change, even in design. Do you need to keep up with market dynamics and make your labelling flexible and future-proof? Nothing easier than that: The RENNER S MODUL allows you to combine several units as required: for wet adhesive, pre-cut hotmelt or self-adhesive labels.

• Agile production: Actively following trends, and retrofit as needed

• Maximum cost-effectiveness for standard and complex labelling

• Highest level of precision and reliability with minimum maintenance requirements

Your benefits

• High accuracy: transmissionless rotary design, precise alignment

• Sustainable: fewer components, servo technology, disconnectable units

• Productive: easy to operate, change-over, cleaning and maintenance

• Compliance: Compliance with the latest safety regulations

• PLUS: all the specific benefits of the respective labeling systems

Modules & Aggregate types

Functional Highlights

• Modular design: Combination of several units with alignment, control units

• Transmission-free: all drives are wit out cogs, chains, belts, etc.

• Machine table: independently servo-driven units, starwheels and screws

• Vessel alignment: optical, photoelectric or mechanical

• Coupling and uncoupling units: without tools, with reproducible settings

• Motorized lifting and positioning of the units without manual readjustment

• Trolley for fittings: better overview, fewer mistakes, shorter set-up times

• RENNER S Motion design for optimum safety and operation

Harford Control

Blue Tree Technologies City Press

Definition

Democracy PR One Good Thing

Ingredient Communication

Shrewd Marketing

EDITORIAL: 02 NEWS NETWORK

Smart Food Safe Think B2B Marketing

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WEBSITE:

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Dantex opens new Corby demo facility as centre of excellence for digital UV inkjet

Dantex Group has announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art demonstration facility in Corby, Northamptonshire - a purpose-built environment designed to reinforce the company’s position as a centre of excellence for digital UV inkjet technology.

The new facility offers a clean-room-style environment that has been carefully designed to create ideal conditions for press operation. Modern, spacious and fully air-conditioned, the suite provides a calming, high-tech atmosphere where customers can collaborate closely with Dantex’s expert technical team to test and refine solutions to their precise specifications.

“We’ve created this space to give customers the very best environment in which to evaluate our digital capabilities,” said Ben Danon, CEO of Dantex Group.

“It’s about more than just putting machines on display, it’s about delivering a complete experience, where every detail is focused on comfort, precision and performance. We want our customers to feel welcomed, relaxed and completely confident in the decisions they make while they’re with us.”

Trailblazer to Game-Changer: OGT Wins £370K for Edible Coating Tech

Groundbreaking Hitchin-based start-up One Good Thing has won a £370,000 Smart Grant from Innovate UK to further develop its world’s-first and world-leading edible coating and manufacturing technologies.

The Smart Grant programme is designed to bring original, high-impact innovations with the potential to generate considerable economic benefits for the nation into the marketplace. The success rate for applications is as low as 2%, with only 44 out of 2,134 applications funded during the most recent round.

One Good Thing’s completely novel manufacturing technology wraps oat bars in a beeswax based coating with sufficient barrier properties to keep the product inside fresh for at least nine months and beyond. The project has the potential to revolutionise the sale of perishable food products – offering a completely plastic-free solution to food which is already well-loved by the business’s customers: 20,000 orders have been fulfilled so far.

The Smart Grant will enable One Good Thing’s small, dedicated team, which includes three engineers, to further develop the manufacturing and coating solutions, with investment in new formulations and machinery to widen the application of its edible beeswax-based coating.

Receipt of the funding underpins One Good Thing’s commitment to groundbreaking innovation in the food sector, and will support this small, ambitious business to continue to grow. The edible coating concept is one with widespread applications across a range of foodstuffs, and whilst One Good Thing presently applies its capabilities exclusively to a suite of naturally-flavoured oat bars, sold under the One Good Thing brand, the possibilities are almost limitless.

CEO and co-founder Daniel Bedford said: “The Smart Grant funding from Innovate UK is going to be pivotal in developing the next iterations of our unique edible coating and manufacturing technologies. We firmly believe that the unique technologies we have developed could unlock a market worth billions in the future. To have our work in this space recognised as truly industry-leading by UK Research & Innovation is something we are incredibly proud of and keen to advance.”

The demo centre showcases a topof-the-range PicoJet 1200 DRS and the newly launched PicoColour, both part of Dantex’s acclaimed Pico range of digital UV inkjet presses. The layout can accommodate the installation of a hybrid press, providing greater flexibility and ensuring the facility remains future-proof as demand evolves.

An official opening event is scheduled to take place in the autumn, but the facility is already welcoming visitors, with press evaluations and customer sessions underway.

Find out more by visiting Dantex Group on Booth #5E73 at Labelexpo Europe 2025 - Barcelona on 16-19 September 2025.

71% OF BRITS ON THE BREADLINE REPORT BIGGEST BARRIER TO HEALTHY EATING IS COST

Food club network, The Bread and Butter Thing, is calling for policymakers to put affordability at the centre of the public health debate amid new findings that expose the reality for families unable to access healthy food.

The findings from a nationwide survey of food club members found that cost remains the biggest barrier to healthy eating, with over half (71%) saying they would eat healthily if money were no object.

Meanwhile, over a third say they cut quantity and variety out of their diet when money is tight. The findings suggest that demand for healthy food is constrained by price and access, rather than willpower and education.

The study also highlighted significant concern among low-income households regarding the handling of the issue, with fewer than 20% expressing confidence in the Government’s efforts to address food insecurity.

It comes as the government introduces policies targeting food manufacturers - such as Mandatory Health Reporting, which requires companies to disclose nutritional data - but The Bread and Butter Thing warns that these measures fail to address the core issue, which is “making healthy food affordable”.

The Bread and Butter Thing is a UK-based food redistributor, working to combat food insecurity. It delivers essential supplies to some of the UK’s most deprived communities through its nationwide network of 145 hubs where members can access affordable ambient, chilled, and fresh food.

For more information on The Bread and Butter Thing, please visit the website here: https://www.breadandbutterthing.org/

Reinforce Cooling Capacity to Avoid Summer Downtime, Food

and Beverage Manufacturers Urged

Off the back of unseasonably high spring temperatures[1], food and beverage manufacturers are being encouraged to prepare for summer heat by working with specialist partners to supplement cooling in emergencies, maintenance and upgrades.

The callout comes from global leader in energy solutions Aggreko, which has warned that the combination of rising temperatures and ageing infrastructure could significantly impact uptime on sites across the UK.

Temperatures exceeding 25°C are now becoming increasingly common throughout the nation, placing older generations of equipment, which aren’t designed to operate in these ranges, at risk of overheating and subsequently failing.

The chances of breakdowns are drastically raised if equipment hasn’t been properly maintained, with blocked condenser coils potentially forcing a system to overwork to the point of compressor failure.

In the food and beverage manufacturing sector, for instance, pasteurisation equipment overheating could lead to production halts, spoilage of raw milk and a host of contamination risks, resulting in significant financial losses and reputational damage.

As temperatures this year have already reached over 29°C[2], Chris Smith, head of temperature control for UK and Ireland at Aggreko, has called upon food and beverage manufacturers to assess their cooling capacity to ensure that critical operations remain uninterrupted.

Chris said: “If recent temperatures are anything to go by, then this summer is set to bring even more extreme conditions capable of driving equipment to the point of failure. If facilities rely on ageing HVAC systems to keep processes ticking, then the risk of breakdowns during heatwaves only increases.

“Working with a specialist in both HVAC and power can be the real difference maker. Doing so provides contractors with the opportunity to leverage specialist expertise and tailored solutions that address immediate cooling needs and safeguard operations against the risks posed by extreme temperatures.”

With a thorough understanding of the challenges of critical temperature applications, Aggreko’s team of technical experts can help determine the temporary and supplementary cooling, heating and dehumidification solutions required based on a project, location and temperature requirements.

Its cooling provision spans industrial chillers ranging from 50kW to 1500 kW, air conditioners in sizes from 50kW to 200kW, and cooling towers with single units from 2500kW or combined units for multi-megawatt projects.

Discover more about Aggreko’s temperature control solutions visit www.aggreko.com

[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/weather/uk-weather-spring-hot-forecast-b2749519.html [2] https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/blog/2025/heatwave-return-or-summer-sizzle-weatherheadline-review

Power Adhesives announces strategic distribution partnership with Antala

Power Adhesives, a global leader in hot melt adhesives, is pleased to announce a new UK distribution agreement with specialty chemicals distributor Antala Ltd.

Antala will now stock Power Adhesives’ core range including its Tecbond biodegradable and bulk products, as well as the Knottec, Casttec, and Foundrytec advanced solutions.

The partnership marks a significant milestone as it extends and complements Antala’s range of adhesives with its first-ever hot melt solutions.

Ian Lancey, Sales & Marketing Director at Power Adhesives, said: “We are delighted to partner with Antala on this distribution agreement, as their technical expertise and strong market presence makes them an ideal distributor for our hot melt solutions. This collaboration enables us to reach new customers and brings our advanced and more sustainable adhesive technologies into more markets.”

Accelerating the food chain revolution: All-star food consortium uses AI to redistribute the equivalent of up to 1.5 million surplus meals.

World leading brands and food charities have come together to pilot a first of a kind AI solution to redistribute the equivalent of up to 1.5 million surplus meals. 4.6 million tonnes of edible food, which is equivalent to 10 billion meals of food, is wasted in the UK each year. Sustainable Ventures have brought together Bristol Superlight, FareShare, FuturePlus, Google Cloud, Howard Tenens Logistics, Nestlé UK&I and Zest (formerly The Wonki Collective) to develop a solution to help get more of the good-to-eat food that is currently being wasted to people across the UK.

The groundbreaking “AI food redistribution” project is part of Innovate UK’s BridgeAI initiative - which provided a £1.9 million grant which is match-funded for cutting-edge projects intent on harnessing AI to drive productivity and innovation. The consortium will develop and pilot an end-to-end AI led solution that, over the course of the project, will redistribute up to 700 tonnes of quality surplus food - the equivalent of up to 1.5 million meals. Trials throughout the project are also estimated to prevent up to 1,400 tonnes of CO2 being emitted and deliver up to £14 million of cost savings.¹ Earlier trials of the Zest (formerly The Wonki Collective) technology, delivered an 87% reduction in edible food waste at a single Nestlé factory, over a two week period.

The collaboration sees the development and piloting of Zest’s (formerly The Wonki Collective) integrated AI powered platform that will connect food manufacturers, logistics providers and charities - redefining supply chain efficiency. The integrated AI powered platform leverages Google Cloud’s BigQuery and Vertex AI platform to streamline and accelerate the process of matching available surplus food, including products and ingredients, to where there is demand. Bristol Superlight’s integrated AI/Machine Learning (ML)-driven logistics system enables the quality of surplus food to be measured and tracked throughout its delivery journey.

Once tested, the “AI food redistribution” solution could be applied at scale across the food supply chain, and offers commercial and charitable opportunities for the entire sector. The collaboration has demonstrated the immense potential of climate tech innovation to deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.

Toni Argudo, Country Manager at Antala, added: “We are excited to bring Power Adhesives’ innovative hot melt solutions to our customers for the first time. This partnership strengthens our ability to offer a comprehensive range of adhesive technologies, helping our clients meet both performance and sustainability goals. We look forward to working closely with Power Adhesives to deliver added value across a wide range of industries.”

For more information about Power Adhesives’ product range, go to www.poweradhesives.com/adhesives

Arla Foods Ingredients and Brenntag expand collaboration into Southeast Asia

The expanded collaboration will see Brenntag distributing Arla Foods Ingredients’ extensive portfolio of protein ingredients in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. It will cover a wide range of categories, including health foods, infant nutrition and sports nutrition, as well as solutions for functionality in dairy and bakery.

Brenntag Group is the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution. The new deals follow 2023’s extensive distribution agreement between Arla Foods Ingredients and Zhongbai Xingye Food Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, a Brenntag group company, to serve the Chinese market.

Southeast Asia offers significant market potential. Research suggests that increasing prosperity in the region is driving demand for food and beverage products containing high-quality protein, which is currently not being fully met.1

Alexander Leufgen, Head of Asia-Pacific at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Demand for high-quality whey and dairy ingredients is growing across Southeast Asia, especially in key segments like active nutrition and food functionality. Our goal is to improve and extend our offering to manufacturers across the region. By building on our existing arrangement with Brenntag we’ll be able to better tailor our products and services to meet their needs.”

Kenneth Keh, Regional President, Nutrition Asia Pacific, Brenntag Specialties, said: “Our partnership with Arla Foods Ingredients in China has been immensely successful, and we are excited to expand it into Southeast Asia. With our combined strength we are confident that we can meet the demand for high-quality, innovative nutritional products in the growing markets of Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.”

Arla Foods Ingredients has extended its distribution partnership with the Brenntag Group to include Southeast Asia’s three largest food and nutrition markets.

product recall

product recall

product recall

Harford Solutions help prevent recalls caused by allergens, microbiological contamination, fraudulent lab results and incorrect labelling, safeguarding both consumers and brands.

We Help Factories Eliminate Product Recalls

We Help Factories Eliminate Product Recalls

We Help Factories Eliminate Product Recalls

Bulk Material Evaluation & Tracking

Bulk Material Evaluation & Tracking

Track and trace approved materials and take action on non-compliant product, throughout the production process.

Bulk Material Evaluation & Tracking

Track and trace approved materials and take action on non-compliant product, throughout the production process.

Harford Solutions help prevent recalls caused by allergens, microbiological contamination, fraudulent lab results and incorrect labelling, safeguarding both consumers and brands.

Harford Solutions help prevent recalls caused by allergens, microbiological contamination, fraudulent lab results and incorrect labelling, safeguarding both consumers and brands.

Harford Solutions help prevent recalls caused by allergens, microbiological contamination, fraudulent lab results and incorrect labelling, safeguarding both consumers and brands.

The combination of Harford LIMS and Harford Autocoding Solutions allow manufacturers to monitor and manage materials more e ectively, ensuring that every step from raw ingredients to final packaging meets the required standards. Additionally, it ensures greater labelling accuracy, particularly for critical areas such as allergens, nutritional information, date coding and product origins.

The combination of Harford LIMS and Harford Autocoding Solutions allow manufacturers to monitor and manage materials more e ectively, ensuring that every step from raw ingredients to final packaging meets the required standards. Additionally, it ensures greater labelling accuracy, particularly for critical areas such as allergens, nutritional information, date coding and product origins.

The combination of Harford LIMS and Harford Autocoding Solutions allow manufacturers to monitor and manage materials more e ectively, ensuring that every step from raw ingredients to final packaging meets the required standards. Additionally, it ensures greater labelling accuracy, particularly for critical areas such as allergens, nutritional information, date coding and product origins.

The combination of Harford LIMS and Harford Autocoding Solutions allow manufacturers to monitor and manage materials more e ectively, ensuring that every step from raw ingredients to final packaging meets the required standards. Additionally, it ensures greater labelling accuracy, particularly for critical areas such as allergens, nutritional information, date coding and product origins.

Automated Sampling & Labelling

Allergen Control

Batch Control

Automated Sampling & Labelling

Notify lab team, print sample labels for compliance and risk reduction.

Track and trace approved materials and take action on non-compliant product, throughout the production process. Automated Sampling & Labelling

Automated Sampling & Labelling

Why Choose Harford?

Why Choose Harford?

Why Choose Harford?

Why Choose Harford?

Notify lab team, print sample labels for compliance and risk reduction.

Notify lab team, print sample labels for compliance and risk reduction.

Allergen Control

Allergen Control

Notify lab team, print sample labels for compliance and risk reduction. Allergen Control

Ensure allergen information on each package and outer case is accurately labelled.

Ensure allergen information on each package and outer case is accurately labelled.

Ensure allergen information on each package and outer case is accurately labelled.

With more than 55 years' experience, we have been dedicated to helping companies minimise product recalls, eliminate risks, ensure compliance, reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Our on-site service support is provided 24/7, by our global network of Field Service Engineers.

Get In Touch

Get In Touch

Batch Control

Batch Control

Efficiently automate coding processes with streamlined batch control capabilities.

Ensure allergen information on each package and outer case is accurately labelled. Batch Control

Efficiently automate coding processes with streamlined batch control capabilities.

Efficiently automate coding processes with streamlined batch control capabilities.

Efficiently automate coding processes with streamlined batch control capabilities.

+44 (0)1225 764461

With more than 55 years' experience, we have been dedicated to helping companies minimise product recalls, eliminate risks, ensure compliance, reduce waste and improve efficiency. Our on-site service support is provided 24/7, by our global network of Field Service Engineers.

With more than 55 years' experience, we have been dedicated to helping companies minimise product recalls, eliminate risks, ensure compliance, reduce waste and improve efficiency. Our on-site service support is provided 24/7, by our global network of Field Service Engineers.

With more than 55 years' experience, we have been dedicated to helping companies minimise product recalls, eliminate risks, ensure compliance, reduce waste and improve efficiency. Our on-site service support is provided 24/7, by our global network of Field Service Engineers.

+44 (0)1225 764461

info@harfordcontrol.com www.harfordcontrol.com

info@harfordcontrol.com www.harfordcontrol.com

Explore Harford Solutions and book a discovery call

Explore Harford Solutions and book a discovery call

Product Recalls: The Curse of the Manufacturer

Product recalls in the UK food and drink industry remain a significant challenge, with the latest RQA (Research Quality Association) Group report highlighting a concerning increase in the number of products recalled per event. While the number of UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) alerts in 2024 remained relatively low, the volume of products affected per alert has risen to 2.5 times higher than in 2023.

Allergen Control: One of the Leading Causes of Recalls

Allergen mislabelling remains the top reason for product recalls. While the percentage of ‘Never Event’ recalls—those deemed entirely preventable—has decreased to 27% in 2024, these incidents continue to pose a serious threat to consumers. Historically, ‘Never Event’ mislabelling alerts accounted for over 40% to 50% of recalls, meaning progress is being made, but challenges remain. A ‘Never Event’ recall is defined by RQA as a recall that can cause serious harm and should be easily prevented. E.g. Wrong label on pack or product put in wrong packaging with allergen safety implications.

Recent incidents underscore the ongoing risk. Birds Eye Ltd. recalled Goodfella’s Stonebaked Thin Garlic Bread because it contained cheese, an undeclared allergen posing a health risk to those with a dairy intolerance or allergy. This case, as with others, highlights the critical need for stringent allergen control measures throughout the supply chain.

An article By Roy Green, Harford Control Ltd. July 2025

Microbiological Contamination:

A Rising Threat

The RQA report also revealed an 80% increase in recall events caused by microbiological contamination, with Listeria and Salmonella leading the list of concerns. Despite this surge, the total number of products recalled due to contamination is 426 fewer than last year, suggesting more successfully targeted recall efforts.

Listeria monocytogenes contamination remains a major concern, particularly for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Lidl Northern Ireland recently recalled a batch of Deluxe Sriracha Cheddar Cheese Wedge after Listeria was detected. This bacterium can cause flu-like symptoms and, in severe cases, lead to lifethreatening complications such as meningitis.

Salmonella-related recalls also continue to impact the industry, particularly in high-risk food categories like meat and ready-to-eat products. Contaminated foods can lead to severe gastrointestinal illness, prompting swift action from manufacturers and retailers to prevent outbreaks.

Foreign Bodies and Fraudulent Lab Results

Foreign body contamination, particularly involving metal fragments, is another leading cause of recalls, tied in third place with nonallergen-related labelling errors. The presence of metal fragments in food poses a serious risk of injury, making it a key focus area for quality control teams.

Additionally, food fraud remains a pressing issue, with the UK’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) issuing an amber food crime alert regarding document fraud in laboratory results. Fraudulent lab reports undermine food safety assessments, legislative compliance, and supplier approval processes. This alarming trend highlights the need for robust traceability and verification systems to ensure consumer safety and maintain trust in food products.

Preventing Recalls: The Role of Technology and HACCP

To mitigate these risks, food manufacturers must implement rigorous quality control measures, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) strategies, which help identify potential contamination risks at every stage of production. Effective traceability systems and accurate labelling solutions are also essential in preventing mislabelling errors and ensuring that recalled products can be efficiently removed from circulation.

Harford Control: Ensuring Accuracy and Traceability

Harford Control provides Autocoding Solutions to ensure accurate labelling, ensuring that the right information appears on the right label and that the correct label is applied to the right packaging. The solution plays a crucial role in preventing Never Event recalls, minimising the risk of allergen mislabelling and enhancing overall food safety compliance.

Additionally, Harford’s Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) enables manufacturers to track and trace approved materials while monitoring non-compliant products. By providing full traceability of ingredients and finished goods, LIMS strengthens laboratory quality control and ensures compliance with stringent food safety regulations. It also facilitates efficient recall management when necessary.

Harford Autocoding and LIMS Solutions can be integrated seamlessly. Any batches from the shop floor will automatically initiate certain actions based on predefined risks, thereby protecting the consumer.

Smart Solutions to Prevent Recalls

Product recalls are avoidable, through diligent attention to detail, and risks, at each stage of food and drink manufacturing, thereby ensuring that the customer obtains only the food, plus allergens, as stated on the packaging. Mix ups or misunderstandings may still occur at the retail or fast-food outlet, which can be reduced, if not eliminated,

through better training, supervision and communication. In time, the consumer will also become better informed.

To this end, the Natasha Foundation (set up in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, whose life was tragically cut short through eating an apparently allergen-free bread roll that contained sesame seed extract, purchased on confident assurances of safety from Pret a Manger) are doing brilliant work to raise awareness of allergen risks and only last week introducing a training programme for schools called ‘Allergy School’. In the UK alone, there are on average two children per class suffering from allergies.

As recalls continue to evolve in complexity, leveraging advanced solutions such as Autocoding and LIMS to minimise risk, is key to protecting consumers, ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining brand integrity.

When you are ready to learn more about available protection, please get in touch with our specialists at info@harfordcontrol.com or call us on +44 (0)1225 764461.

Countdown to drinktec 2025

Preparations for drinktec 2025 are entering their final and most intensive phase.

With strong registration figures, the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry is once again demonstrating its impressive standing.

From 15 to 19 September 2025, over 1,000 exhibitors from more than 50 countries will come together in Munich to showcase the latest trends in beverage and liquid food production. Spanning over 73,000 square metres, exhibitors will present solutions and expertise covering the entire value chain, addressing all industry challenges.

Rolf Keller, Managing Director of YONTEX, underlines the importance of drinktec within the global beverage and liquid food market:

“drinktec remains closely aligned with market needs, and this year’s edition is no exception. The strong response to drinktec 2025 is a testament to this strategic alignment.”

Markus Kosak, Executive Director of the drinktec Cluster, adds:

“Only a few spaces remain available. We continue to receive enquiries and are working to place them in the most suitable exhibition areas.”

This demonstrates once again that drinktec is living up to its reputation as the industry’s leading global trade fair. With the 2025 edition, the industry affirms the breadth of technologies and solutions available internationally for beverage and liquid food production.

The familiar distribution of one-third domestic and twothird international exhibitors will again be maintained this year.

“The international exhibitor base is at the core of drinktec’s identity and underscores its strength. For visitors, this means that drinktec is uniquely positioned as the go-to platform for discovering future-oriented solutions tailored to the beverage and liquid food sectors worldwide,” Kosak continues.

Once again, since 1951, Munich will serve as the global summit for raw materials, technology, and machinery related to the production and marketing of beverages and liquid foods.

Liquidrome – A vision of the future

Looking ahead, the supporting programme has undergone a conceptual redesign, as Markus Kosak explains: “We are consolidating our programme in hall C4 with our new format, ‘Liquidrome’. This area will serve as a forum for knowledge exchange, exhibitor presentations, and interaction with academia and research. With Liquidrome, we are laying the foundation for the dialogue of the future.”

This interactive space will broaden information access for visitors and offer insights into novel product concepts, the use of innovative technologies, and emerging market strategies. In close coordination with drinktec’s conceptual sponsor, the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, the content will be structured around three central themes.

Key topics highlight future prospects

Under the topic ‘Circularity & Resource Management’, topics such as water reuse and wastewater treatment will be addressed. Presentations will explore how global requirements for water conservation can be implemented from various perspectives. Additional focal points include energy recovery, the use of by-products from production processes, and more efficient packaging material usage. The implementation of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will also be reflected in the lecture programme.

The second topic, ‘Data2Value’, focuses on process transparency and the integration of machine learning and AI-based applications. Topics include flavour prediction models and predictive maintenance. These approaches also apply to cleaning process design: AI combined with machine learning enables the detection of contamination levels in containers and triggers selfadjusting cleaning cycles accordingly.

The third topic, ‘Lifestyle & Health’, provides inspiration on flavour solutions for low- or no-alcohol beers, alcohol-free wines, and fermented beverages—empowering manufacturers to tap into this growing segment with optimised recipes. Functional drinks enriched with minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fibre, or probiotics are expected to gain market share. The addition of plant-based proteins, some derived from brewing by-products, will also become increasingly important.

Startup zone – Strong participation

These startups demonstrate clear innovation potential, particularly in IT solutions for the industry. Maintenance management systems, cloud technologies, and other digital solutions are a key focus. Young companies are also concentrating on energy and heat supply for beverage production and the development of innovative additives.

The exhibition team has observed clear momentum in the ingredients and new beverages segment. The Health bar, integrated within the Liquidrome, will showcase concepts for health-promoting drinks—a segment consistently gaining market share, according to analysts.

“We are dedicating significant attention to this product category. Manufacturers may need to adapt their production strategies accordingly,” says Kosak.

The team is closely monitoring the activities of researchers and ingredient producers, as forecasts predict global annual growth rates of over 8% in this segment through 2028. The New Beverage Concept (NBC) special area in hall C3 will also present ideas for novel ingredients and flavour variations—even beyond the health-oriented sphere.

Positive global outlook

In recent months, the exhibition team, in cooperation with the VDMA, has conducted an extensive international outreach programme. The drinktec Roadshow remains a proven format for gaining in-depth insights into market conditions through direct dialogue with key global stakeholders. Covering approximately 20 countries across all continents, the roadshow facilitated high-level industry engagement.

During stops in Southeast Asia, China, Japan, South America, Europe, and Africa, the drinktec team reconnected with local industry professionals.

“The global response has been overwhelmingly positive. With the support of local associations, we gained valuable insights into the strategic and economic priorities of our target markets. This exchange is absolutely vital to ensuring drinktec remains perfectly aligned,” reflects Kosak.

Participants also expressed strong enthusiasm: for many countries, this is the first opportunity since the pandemic to engage with live innovations and industry news. “All in all, the signs point clearly to growth,” concludes Markus Kosak following the extensive outreach with key industry

Registration opens for the PPMA Total Show® 2025

The UK’s biggest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision event, the PPMA Total Show®, is set to return to the NEC, Birmingham in September, with the show offering a host of opportunities and brand-new features for attendees.

The PPMA Total Show® 2025 will take place from 23-25 September, bringing together industry professionals from across the entire manufacturing spectrum offering networking opportunities, live equipment demonstrations, and valuable insight into innovative technologies.

The PPMA Show 2024 has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best UK Trade Show category at The AEO Excellence Awards 2025. Organisers Automate UK have pledged to deliver a show that exceeds expectations this year, with an itinerary of expert speakers, a networking reception and a series of live demos to showcase the latest technology solutions.

The PPMA Show® 2024 was a resounding success, with more than 80% of visitors reporting that they discovered new solutions to enhance and support their businesses as a direct result of their attendance.

The 2025 show is now set to be bigger and better, with more than 350 exhibitors and 1,500 brands in attendance.

Scott McKenna, Chief Operating Officer, said: “The PPMA Show® 2024 was a great success, and this year’s show will build on that, giving attendees access to cutting-edge technology and solutions to optimise performance, reduce costs, and future-proof their businesses.

“This year, we’re offering visitors to chance to benefit and learn from expert-led seminars with relevant topics including sustainability, smart manufacturing, and operational efficiency, as well as dedicated networking opportunities throughout the course of the show.

“One of the standout successes of The PPMA Show® 2024 was Innovations Eleven – a brand-new live demo theatre, in which 11 selected exhibitors launched new technology directly to attendees, and we’re enhancing that experience this year.

“The PPMA Total Show® 2025 live demo theatre will be broadcast in real-time via PPMA Total Show TV, whilst expert-led daily innovation tours will be hosted for visitors to expand on the technology being showcased and its suitability for their business needs,” he added.

Attendance for The PPMA Total Show® 2025 is free, with registration now open. To register, visit: https://www. ppmashow.co.uk.

Global design and sustainability leaders to headline London Packaging Week 2025

London Packaging Week returns to the capital on 15 & 16 October 2025 to celebrate its 15th anniversary with a future-focused programme and a standout speaker lineup featuring globally recognised brands, disruptive innovators, and leading organisations.

Easyfairs UK, organiser of London Packaging Week, has announced the first confirmed speakers for October’s landmark 15th anniversary edition.

Taking place on 15 & 16 October at Excel London, London Packaging Week 2025 will bring together the UK’s top packaging and brand experts to tackle today’s biggest industry challenges. With three dedicated content stages focused on beauty, drinks, food, and luxury markets, attendees will gain actionable insights into sustainability, cutting-edge design, and future packaging technologies.

Shaped by audience feedback and current industry trends, this year’s conference explores six key themes that matter most to

packaging professionals today. From the impact of policy and governance to the fusion of creative thinking and emerging tech, the programme also tackles business resilience, sustainability, inclusive design, and evolving consumer values.

“Our speakers represent the full spectrum of the packaging world, from global brands to creative agencies, all committed to advancing the industry,” said Casey McHugh, Conference & Community Manager at Easyfairs UK. “Each talk offers fresh ideas and practical insights, helping attendees navigate challenges and seize new opportunities. Together, these voices form a powerful conversation that will influence how packaging evolves in the years ahead.”

This year’s conference programme features Frank Stephenson, the legendary designer behind some of the world’s most iconic luxury cars, including Ferrari, McLaren, and Maserati. With over three decades of experience, Frank will explore how the future of luxury packaging and design is shaped by craftsmanship, exclusivity, and innovative aesthetics. Kevin Marshall, Senior Creative Director at Microsoft, will join him and address the vital need for inclusive packaging. Drawing on Microsoft’s journey sparked by the Xbox Adaptive Controller, Kevin will share practical insights and real-world examples demonstrating how packaging can be designed to be accessible and functional for everyone, particularly the millions facing challenges with everyday products.

A session organised by the Alliance for Fibre-Based Packaging will bring together Alison Bramfitt, Head of Packaging at Nestlé UKI, Nikki Grainge, Packaging Technician at Marks & Spencer, Ed Smythe, Strategic Account Manager for Veolia, Richard Inskip, Compliance & Sustainability Manager at EP Group, and Talia Goldman, Co-Chair of the Alliance for Fibre-Based Packaging. Chaired by James Piper, sustainability expert and Co-Host of the Talking Rubbish podcast, the panel will explore whether the current policy environment supports or slows the growth of fibre-based packaging and what regulatory and industry shifts are needed to unlock its full potential.

In the session Innovate & Inspire for Impact: Meeting the Demand for Realness and Authenticity, trend intelligence agency Stylus will explore how brands can connect with evolving consumer expectations through emotionally resonant, inclusive, and trend-aware design. Aaron Butler, Global Design Lead at Boots – No7 Company, will join Stylus for this insightful discussion.

Other standout sessions include:

• David Hodgson, Founder & CEO at Zeno Wine, Laura Willoughby MBE, Co-founder of Club Soda, and Leon Pullin, Managing Director at Agua de Madre, examining how packaging helps NoLo brands differentiate in a competitive drinks market

• Ben Saltmer, Head of Lifestyle Design at Bentley Motors, and Camille Ten Horn, Artistic Director at Carré Basset, unveiling Bentley BECOME—a bold new collaboration at the intersection of fragrance and design

• Paul Botje, Museum Director at the Museum of Brands, challenging the idea that innovation is a modern concept and taking attendees on a journey through packaging history to prove his case

• Arno Melchior, Global Packaging Director at Reckitt, and Vivian Loftin, Co-founder and Managing Director at Recyda, exploring how digital tools can future-proof packaging strategies under evolving EPR rules.

Attendees at London Packaging Week 2025 can also expect to hear from Fortnum & Mason, OPRL, WRAP, PackUK, Pearlfisher, Positive Luxury, Sun Branding, Trinny London, Unilever, and others. For the up-to-date programme and full list of confirmed speakers so far, visit https://www.londonpackagingweek.com/ speakers/

Taking place on Day Two of the event on the Luxury Stage, the Innovation Awards Ceremony will spotlight breakthrough ideas and standout solutions in packaging design, sustainability, and functionality. This year, prestigious brands including Hotel Chocolat, Mondelez, Glenmorangie, Hennessy, Innocent, The Macallan, LUSH, Lindt, Pladis, Sainsbury’s, Harrods, and The Glenlivet have entered the awards, underscoring its reputation as a benchmark for excellence.

Celebrating 15 years as the capital’s leading event for packaging innovation and collaboration, London Packaging Week returns to Excel London on 15 & 16 October 2025. With over 190 suppliers, four tailored zones, and a speaker lineup featuring 70+ creative and technical leaders, the event connects the city’s luxury, beauty, drinks, and FMCG communities to discover, source, and shape the future of packaging.

Secure your complimentary visitor badge today and unlock the full London Packaging Week experience—from trend-led innovation and world-class speakers to hands-on learning and future-shaping insights. This is where the UK’s packaging community comes to lead.

Future-Proofing Production for the Healthier Products Consumers Want By

Let’s face it. Food and beverage manufacturing today isn’t what it was twenty years ago. With Industry 4.0, we’ve automated, optimized, and streamlined almost every part of the production process. But as impressive as all of that is, there’s still one growing challenge that’s keeping many manufacturers on their toes: how to update their production lines to produce healthier products, developed to meet increasing consumer demand, especially for sugar-reduced drinks.

When consumers walk through the grocery aisles, they’re flipping over labels, checking for sugar content, artificial additives, or clean label claims. They also expect products to taste good, be affordable, and hit the shelves fast.

For manufacturers, that creates a bit of a puzzle. We’ve got the tools to produce at scale, but shifting those same systems to deliver healthier alternatives isn’t always simple. In fact, it can be expensive, time-consuming, and technically complicated. But it’s not impossible. The key is to build flexibility directly into production lines and decision-making processes.

Better-for-You Begins at the Product Development Stage Reducing sugar or swapping in natural ingredients sounds easy in theory. Just replace ingredient A with ingredient B, right? Not quite. These new ingredients behave differently. Natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit have different solubility, flavor profiles, and reactions to heat and acidity. You can’t just drop them into an existing recipe and expect it to behave the same way in production.

Another approach focuses on working within the original ingredient list, removing or adjusting elements like excess sugars or unwanted compounds from natural ingredients themselves, without adding anything new. This requires breaking down individual components at a molecular level and finding ways to modify or reduce them while maintaining the product’s natural composition, taste, and quality. The advantage of this method is the ability to claim the product as a clean label and face fewer regulatory hurdles.

There are also changes to shelf stability, packaging, and the consistency of the final product. That all has to be taken into account before you even think about scaling up. It’s both a formulation and a production challenge.

What Your Production Line Needs to Deliver What Consumers Want

To future-proof production lines, manufacturers should focus on bridging the gap between traditional manufacturing and the evolving demands for healthier products. This is where technology comes into play.

The first is the use of digital tools, such as digital twins. This technology allows you to simulate how changes in product formulation will impact the manufacturing process without touching the actual equipment.

You can test how these adjustments affect viscosity, pumping, filling speeds, and more, all without wasting materials or production time. Digital twins help eliminate costly trial-and-error cycles, speeding up the journey from formulation to market.

Another strategy comes from building flexibility into the production line itself. Designing equipment to be modular means that components like dosing units, flavor injectors, or sugar filters can be swapped in and out. Manufacturers can utilize plug-and-play systems to quickly produce various product types without shutting down the entire production line. This gives manufacturers a huge advantage, especially in a market where consumer preferences are changing rapidly.

Smaller, more flexible lines, or even micro-factories, can also help test new formulations on a regional basis or create smaller batches for test markets. That lets you react faster without overhauling your entire operation or investing heavily with each new product trial.

Together, these strategies make production more agile, helping manufacturers move faster, adapt smarter, and stay ahead in a market driven by growing demand for healthier products.

Healthy Innovation Starts with Culture

This only works when innovation is embedded into industry culture. Adapting to health-focused trends takes cross-functional collaboration. R&D needs to talk to the people running the lines. Procurement has to be in sync with suppliers. Marketing needs to provide input early so we can develop products that resonate with consumers.

Just as importantly, we need to rethink what agility means.

It’s no longer about squeezing every penny out of a standard product line; it’s about being able to switch gears when the market moves. If consumers shift toward gut-friendly sodas or reduced-sugar fruit juice, the companies that can deliver quickly will have a serious edge.

And agility isn’t just for startups anymore. Even large, legacy manufacturers need to build this mindset into their core strategy if they want to stay relevant.

Healthier Products Start with Less Sugar

At the heart of making better-for-you products is reducing sugar, especially in natural products like juices. Advanced methods can reduce natural sugars without the use of additives, thereby preserving clean labels and flavor. These techniques avoid the trial-and-error of reformulation and reduce the need for artificial sweeteners.

By treating sugar reduction as a technical and strategic priority, rather than just a recipe tweak, manufacturers can meet consumer demand without compromising product quality or production efficiency.

Adaptability Will Create a Healthier Future

At the end of the day, the demand for healthier food and beverage options isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s only growing, and it’s not limited to one demographic or region. People are asking more from the products they consume, and they’re doing it with confidence.

Food and beverage producers who want to stay competitive need to respond, not by tearing down what they’ve built, but by making it more adaptive. With the right mix of flexible infrastructure, smart data use, and a willingness to embrace change, we can meet this moment.

Because this isn’t just about staying ahead of the curve. It’s about building production systems that are ready for whatever curve comes next.

For more information on BlueTree Technologies, visit: www.bluetree-tech.com

IFF Unveils Game-Changing Outlook on GLP-1 Consumers

New research reveals how food and beverage brands can lead innovation for millions facing sensory and nutritional challenges

IFF, a global leader in food, beverage, and health and wellness, has released a new report highlighting how the rapidly growing GLP-1 consumer market is reshaping the sensory experience and nutritional needs associated with eating and drinking. The report outlines how food and beverage manufacturers can better support this emerging consumer segment with products that align with their evolving preferences.

“IFF is empowering our customers to lead the next wave of food and beverage innovations beyond traditional formulations, including helping GLP-1 consumers have choices they desire,” said Erik Fyrwald, IFF CEO. “We aim to bring back the joy of eating and drinking by offering more healthy, great-tasting nutrition choices for all consumer segments, including GLP-1 users.”

Disconnect on three levels

Despite the rapid rise in GLP-1 medication use, most food and beverage products fall short of meeting the needs of these consumers—or aligning with how they now experience food. IFF has identified a disconnect on three key levels:

• Nutritional: GLP-1 users are eating less but require more from every bite and sip. They need nutrient-dense, smaller portions that efficiently deliver protein, fiber and hydration—without overwhelming flavors.

• Sensory: Eighty-five percent of GLP-1 consumers report significant changes in their food and beverage preferences. Common aversions include fatty foods, sweets, deli meats, coffee and alcohol. Dry, sticky or dense textures are also frequently rejected.

• Emotional: Many consumers are navigating a changed relationship with food—one that may involve a sense of loss, social disruption and a search for new meaning in nourishment.

Understanding the GLP-1 Consumer Personas

IFF is in the early stages of exploring GLP-1 consumer segmentation to help brands move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach toward one grounded in empathy, specificity and long-term relevance. The company’s latest outlook introduces key consumer personas, which are expected to evolve over time:

• Health Hacker Holly: Proactive, data-driven and focused on long-term wellness, she views GLP-1 as part of a broader bio-optimization journey. She seeks functional benefits in formats such as protein bars, smoothies and enriched hydration blends, prioritizing high-quality protein, added fiber and digestive support.

• Remedy Reacher Ron: Often managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, he uses GLP-1 to reclaim his health and sees food as both medicine and maintenance. He looks for fortified snacks and gut-friendly options aligned with medical guidance, favoring meal kits and low-glycemic shakes.

• Glow Getter Gail: Transformation-minded and focused on lifestyle and self-image, she wants food that aligns with her goals and identity—aspirational yet approachable, with “glow-up” appeal. She seeks portion-conscious indulgences, beauty-boosting nutrition and enjoyable flavors in formats such as smoothies, functional waters and shareable treats.

The outlook also outlines how the food and beverage needs of each GLP-1 persona evolve over time. In the initial treatment phase, consumers need support managing smaller portion sizes and medication side effects. The transitional phase focuses on preventing regression, requiring flexible serving sizes and flavor intensity options that adapt to changing cravings. In the “forever” phase, consumers seek to sustain their new routines with habit-forming formats for daily use, nutritional fortification and pre-portioned, high-satiety foods.

Driving Empathy-Powered Innovation

IFF has introduced a comprehensive framework to support food and beverage manufacturers in addressing the complex sensory and nutritional needs of GLP-1 consumers. The framework is designed to guide both the reformulation of existing products and the development of new offerings, tackling challenges such as muscle mass maintenance, satiety, digestive support and sensory preferences. To demonstrate practical applications, IFF has developed a suite of AI-refined, consumer-tested product concepts that show how manufacturers can optimize their portfolios for this rapidly expanding market.

LHF is here – And most brands are still guessing

As the UK’s food and beverage sector braces for the introduction of Less Healthy Food (LHF) regulation, new research from Linney reveals a stark reality: though awareness is widespread, meaningful action is lagging.

The LHF regulation places new restrictions on how certain high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) products can be promoted. From paid digital ads to TV spots before 9pm, the rules aim to reduce shoppers’ exposure to less healthy foods. But while the policy direction is clear, execution across the industry is far from consistent.

More questions than answers

Linney’s survey of 250 food and beverage industry leaders uncovered a concerning gap between knowledge and preparedness. While more than 92% reported familiarity with the new rules, less than one in ten said they’ve actively started preparing. 84% express some level of confidence in their readiness, but in practice, only 44% feel “very confident.” This disconnect is strongest in hospitality, where pubs, bars and restaurants report the lowest levels of awareness and preparedness. These environments, that depend on physical and digital promotions for conversion, may struggle most with the implications of LHF.

Respondents cited cost pressures, policy confusion, and fragmented guidance as their biggest hurdles. Over half of businesses (55.2%) expect high financial impact, with concerns mounting over long-term business viability — particularly among smaller businesses. Many SMEs and independents simply lack the in-house resources or agency partnerships that bigger brands can leverage during regulatory change.

However, businesses of all sizes are struggling with a lack of clarity — only 35% report having received government guidance, and just a third have found it to be truly helpful. In an industry where legislation is evolving and when no one’s sure what “good” looks like, the absence of consistent, practical advice is leaving many businesses in the dark.

Unsurprisingly, there’s a call for clearer, more actionable help — including step-by-step checklists and visual guides, training tools and real-time policy updates.

Regulation sparking reinvention

Still, the industry isn’t standing still. Linney’s research points to promising signs of momentum: 38% of businesses have already introduced healthier alternatives, while others are rethinking loyalty strategies, reformulating recipes, improving front-of-pack labelling, or even voluntarily committing to the pre-9pm ad ban ahead of schedule. One thing is clear: brands risk everything by doing nothing.

LHF isn’t just a legislative shift — it’s a cultural reset. Brands have a choice: wait to be told what to do, or lead the change. Those already adapting — through reformulated products, redesigned promotions and retrained teams — are doing more than just staying compliant. They’re future-proofing their brand, earning consumer trust, and reshaping their category. In a landscape where minimum effort blends in, meaningful action cuts through.

James Nevard

As AI Becomes the New Norm, What Should F&B Sectors Be

Mindful Of

It has been a while since the transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in the food and beverage industry was set in motion in the UK and globally. Even so, many companies remain cautious – about 40% of UK food industry players still use no advanced digital technologies.

However, in these changing times, businesses have found their enterprises to shift from a position of adapting AI tools as an enhancement to essential abilities offering smarter and effective means to run operations.

That being said, a substantial question surfaces; how can AI capabilities be used in the ‘most appropriate’ way for your industry? This involves identifying where the technology is absolutely necessary, understanding the potential challenges that may arise, and addressing existing concerns about employing AI. We emphasize on implementing AI in a manner that aligns with your industry needs—because AI is everywhere, and knowing precisely where and how to apply it within your processes could be the differentiator to best position your business through AI.

The first step toward targeted AI integration is comprehensive internal assessment to evaluate digital maturity of the firm’s production chain, prevailing bottlenecks, and the areas that would benefit most from data-driven decision-making. For instance, businesses that struggle with demand forecasting, quality variability, or supply chain disruptions must identify these as priority areas for AI deployment. Simply adopting AI for the sake of modernisation may lead to underutilisation or misalignment with operational goals.

Beyond determining the needs, they must ensure they have the foundational infrastructure to support AI tools. This includes digitised data capture, cloud-based platforms, and integration-ready systems. Without clean, accessible data, AI models cannot generate meaningful insights. This preparatory work forms the bedrock on which AI solutions can be successfully built and scaled.

Resistance to change is a common concept in the F&B sector, particularly for ones that still rely on traditional manufacturing or legacy systems. And for that very reason, organizational readiness is pivotal. The leadership and staff is to be educated on the potential and limitations of AI, prioritising training programs and change management initiatives accordingly. Subject experts have already ascertained that successful AI adoption depends on people and processes as much as on technology.

Finally, preparing for AI applications means designing a longterm roadmap that includes pilot projects, scalability models, and continuous improvement strategies. Many leading F&B companies like PepsiCo and Mondelez are rolling out AI first in specific functions—such as R&D formulation, predictive maintenance, or shelf-life estimation—and then evolving based on measured ROI.

Such a well-incorporated AI rooted in tangible value creation can free people for higher-value tasks. Leveraging AI strategically ensures it complements human judgment and core goals, harnessing its power in the best way possible.

Prasant Prusty (CEO & Founder, Smart Food Safe)

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How the Water Gap is silently suppressing growth in the food and drink sector

Comment from Chris Deadman, managing director at Alpheus

With seven regions in England projected to face severe water scarcity by 20301, the growing water gap - the shortfall between available water resources and infrastructure capacity - is now a significant barrier to investment and productivity.

One of the industries most exposed to this risk is the food and drink sector, which generates £148 billion in annual turnover and contributes £37 billion in Gross Value Added2. As the UK’s largest manufacturing industry, it is particularly vulnerable to water-related disruptions. Reliable access to water is essential across the sector for processing, cleaning, cooling, and sanitation. Without it, even shortterm shortages can result in costly delays or output reductions.

The impacts of these pressures are already being felt. In Scotland, for example, prolonged dry conditions now pose a material threat to the whisky industry. Some distilleries have reported potential daily losses of up to £150,000 during periods of drought. Worryingly, the frequency of these drought events is projected to nearly double by 20503, amplifying the urgency for the sector to adapt and invest in water efficiency, reuse systems, and long-term resilience planning.

As the pressure on water resources increases, it is clear that ‘business as usual’ is no longer sustainable. Water must be viewed not as a single-use resource but as part of a continuous cycle. By investing in water treatment and reuse technologies, food and drink manufacturers can significantly reduce their reliance on water supplies and minimise the volume of wastewater they release.

Implementing closed loop systems, where water used in industrial processes is treated and reused on-site, allows companies to cut its water usage. By recycling water internally, companies release less waste and therefore pay less in disposal fees. These practices can also help stabilise operations during periods of limited water availability or drought.

The Waste and Resources Action Programme and the Environment Agency highlight strategies such as reuse, recycling and efficiency improvements, with recycled water suitable for uses ranging from cooling and cleaning to irrigation and even food and drink production.4

Innovation in this area is gaining traction. Ofwat has announced a £400 million innovation fund to support solutions that build longterm water resilience5, while the water sector is planning £108 billion of infrastructure investment through 2030 to improve supply and sustainability.6

But private sector action is also vital. Businesses that understand their water footprint and invest in recovery and reuse will be better positioned to grow, especially in constrained regions. There is also a clear commercial incentive. A 2024 consumer survey found that 66 percent of UK shoppers would pay more for food and drink products from companies that demonstrate strong water stewardship.7

The water gap is no longer a distant risk. It is a present-day challenge that must be addressed. Through smart water management and investment in reuse, the food and drink sector can protect its future and help secure national growth.

To find out more about Alpheus, visit www.alpheus.co.uk

1 Kingfisher, May 2023: www.kingfisher.com/media/news/2023/seven-regions-in-england-will-face-severe-water-stress-by-2030-a#:~:text=Water%20stress%20occurs%20when%20

2 Food and Drink Federation: www.fdf.org.uk/fdf/business-insights-and-economics/facts-and-stats/

3 The Times, July 2024: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/scotch-whisky-distilleries-at-risk-from-climate-change-03pn8f8rw

4 Food and drink manufacturing water demand projections to 2050, October 2013: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c9a6b40f0b6629523a970/LIT_8767_4d1fe5.pdf

5 Water Magazine, Jan 2025: https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2025/01/29/ofwat-announces-details-of-400m-fund-to-spur-water-sector-transformation-in-next-five-years

6 Water UK, 2025: https://www.water.org.uk/investing-future/pr24

7 Food and Drink Technology, 2024: www.foodanddrinktechnology.com/news/55165/majority-of-uk-consumers-willing-to-pay-extra-for-food-products-that-are-water-efficient/

Rethinking Water Management in the Food & Beverage Industry: The Case for Integrated Expertise

Water plays a central role in every aspect of food and beverage manufacturing — from raw material processing to equipment cleaning, from heating and cooling to final product formulation. But once used, this essential resource becomes a complex challenge: managing high-strength wastewater, meeting strict discharge regulations, and ensuring efficient water reuse — all under growing environmental and economic pressures.

Today’s producers face a dual responsibility: ensuring operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Waste and process water are no longer byproducts to be discarded — they are part of a wider sustainability strategy and a growing regulatory focus. For manufacturers, this means finding a reliable way to treat, manage, and even reuse water in a way that aligns with evolving expectations and business goals.

This is where the value of integrated engineering and operational expertise becomes clear. Managing the full water cycle of a production site — including supply, treatment, recycling, and discharge — requires coordination between multiple disciplines: hydraulic engineering, chemical dosing, process automation, and compliance management. When multiple vendors are involved, the risk of misalignment increases: delays, unexpected costs, or inefficiencies can arise from even small gaps in communication or responsibility.

Working with a single expert partner across the entire water cycle brings significant advantages. From initial design and technology selection to commissioning, optimisation, and even ongoing operation, a unified approach ensures accountability, efficiency, and long-term reliability. It also allows for a more strategic view of water: not just solving problems, but identifying opportunities for reuse, energy recovery, or cost reduction.

Xylem, with decades of experience in water treatment and pump technologies, works with food and beverage manufacturers to address these complex challenges. As both a manufacturer and system integrator, Xylem combines deep technical knowledge with practical insight into plant operations. Whether supporting new installations or optimising existing systems, Xylem provides turnkey solutions — and when needed, can even take over the full operation of the water infrastructure on behalf of the client, ensuring regulatory compliance and freeing up internal resources.

In a sector where efficiency, quality, and sustainability must go hand in hand, water cannot be treated as an afterthought. It’s time for food and beverage producers to approach water management as a strategic asset — and to partner with those who understand the full picture.

From Waste to Water: How the Food Industry is Embracing Smarter Effluent Solutions

Why Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is Becoming Essential for Food and Beverage Wastewater Treatment

The food and beverage industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint—especially when it comes to how it manages wastewater. Food processing generates large volumes of effluent, often laden with fats, oils, grease (FOG), and organic solids. These contaminants not only challenge traditional treatment methods but also place businesses at risk of falling foul of environmental regulations.

In response, manufacturers are investing in advanced wastewater treatment technologies to boost efficiency, meet discharge standards, and operate more sustainably. Among these, Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is emerging as a leading solution—offering robust performance, operational flexibility, and a fast return on investment.

Understanding the Wastewater Burden in Food Processing

Effluent from food production is unique. Whether it’s runoff from cleaning processes, residue from slicing and cooking, or waste from dairy, meat or plant-based products, the wastewater is often rich in suspended solids and biodegradable material. Traditional systems such as sedimentation tanks and biological reactors often fall short when managing high-strength waste or rapid production cycles.

FOG, in particular, presents a persistent issue. If not properly removed, it can cause clogging, odour, equipment damage, and increased treatment costs. Moreover, regulators in the UK and across Europe are tightening discharge consents on these parameters to protect local waterways and ecosystems. This is especially true for companies discharging into municipal sewerage networks or directly into surface waters.

According to the UK Environment Agency, industrial facilities must meet strict permitting conditions and demonstrate responsible effluent management to operate legally.

The Role of DAF Technology in Modern Wastewater Strategy

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) systems are specifically designed to address the kind of high-load, high-risk effluent found in food processing. They operate by dissolving air into wastewater under pressure, then releasing it at atmospheric pressure in a flotation tank. The released air forms microbubbles that attach to suspended matter and FOG, floating them to the surface where they can be removed as sludge.

This technology is highly effective at reducing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total suspended solids (TSS)—key parameters in discharge compliance.

As outlined by the Water Environment Federation and supported by research in IWA Publishing, DAF systems consistently outperform conventional primary treatment in removing pollutants from highstrength wastewater streams.

Operational Advantages for Food Manufacturers

In addition to treatment performance, DAF systems are prized for their practical and financial benefits:

• Compact footprint: Can be integrated into existing facilities with minimal space or civil works.

• Scalability: Modular designs mean they can be deployed for small batch facilities or scaled for high-throughput plants.

• Rapid installation: Units are often skid-mounted and can be ommissioned quickly, reducing downtime.

• Cost-effective: Lower energy consumption than many biological systems and reduced maintenance costs.

• Flexible deployment: Available for both permanent installations and short-term rentals to support seasonal demand or temporary production increases.

Compliance, Circularity and Sustainability

For businesses aiming to meet their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets, effective water management is crucial. DAF systems support not only regulatory compliance, but also resource recovery. The sludge captured can sometimes be processed into biogas or agricultural soil amendments, turning waste into value.

This aligns with broader trends in sustainable manufacturing, where closed-loop systems and water reuse are gaining traction. By treating water onsite to a reusable standard, businesses can reduce their reliance on mains water, improve resilience, and significantly cut their environmental impact.

The EPA and WRAP UK both highlight DAF systems as critical enablers in achieving circular water management in the food sector.

Looking Ahead

As consumer, investor and regulatory scrutiny of environmental

practices continues to intensify, food and drink manufacturers cannot afford to overlook wastewater treatment. By adopting technologies like DAF, the industry is not just solving today’s challenges—it’s building smarter, cleaner operations for the future.

Wastewater is no longer just a by-product—it’s an opportunity. With DAF, the food industry is proving that operational efficiency, environmental responsibility and profitability can go hand in hand.

References & Further Reading:

UK Environment Agency – Wastewater treatment: discharges and permits https://www.gov.uk/guidance/discharges-to-surface-water-and-groundwaterenvironmental-permits

Water Environment Federation – What is Wastewater Treatment? https://www.wef.org/topics/practice-areas/water-and-wastewater-treatment

Environmental Protection Agency (USA) – Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Technology https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/dissolved-air-flotation-daf

IWA Publishing – Innovation in Industrial Wastewater Treatment https://iwaponline.com/ebooks/book/621/Innovative-and-IntegratedTechnologies-for-the

WRAP UK – Reducing Water Use in the Food and Drink Sector https://www.wrap.ngo/taking-action/food-drink/actions/reducing-water-stress

The Value of Toll Processing for Food & Drinks Manufacturers

With the UK food and drinks industry facing persistent disruption and regulatory challenges, Ben Beatie, Director of Forbeats, explores how toll processors enable manufacturers to overcome shortages, delays and bottlenecks.

A volatile market

Recent years have seen chronic disruption for the food and drinks industry. Climate disasters, conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, post-Brexit regulations and more recently, uncertainty around trade tariffs have all contributed to shortages, delays and price increases. With ingredients, packaging materials, equipment and transport all scarcer, costing more and arriving later, manufacturers can lack the capacity to deal with the inevitable bottlenecks and thus struggle to fulfil orders on time

The role of the toll processor

Offering fully-equipped facilities and decades of expertise, a toll processor can provide the capacity and flexibility manufacturers need to overcome these challenges. From kibbling and custom formulations, to powder, liquid and multi-ingredient formula blending, they can autonomously handle the gamut of processing requirements. Moreover, they operate with safety, efficiency and quality assurance to provide high-standard processing with low waste.

Beyond processing, an experienced toll processor’s breadth of services ensures a genuine end-to-end solution suitable for either one-time or ongoing operations. While many services are supplied in-house, others are available via trusted partner networks that include BRC-accredited firms. These networks extend a toll processor’s capacity and agility, providing vital additional services, such as custom packing, repacking and labelling, warehousing, logistics, import and export clearance, admin and batch traceability.

Equally important is that extended partner networks maintain surplus goods databases, enabling toll processors to source scarce ingredients and materials from surplus supplies. Combined with

strategic stock control, order forecasting and process and cost optimisation, this ensures the contractor is well-positioned to mitigate delays and shortages.

For food and drinks manufacturers, this setup enables them to overcome bottlenecks and fulfil orders on schedule. Moreover, with the toll processor delivering a complete solution, manufacturers can streamline their outsourcing operations.

Ensuring safety

Safe handling, regulatory compliance and supplying safe, highquality products are critical for food and drinks manufacturers. Experienced toll processors will have a detailed understanding of current regulations for all the foodstuffs they handle. Furthermore, they will be ISO9001 accredited and have expertise in safely handling a comprehensive range of materials across hazard classes and viscosities. Multidisciplinary expertise can also be called upon from the contractor’s trusted partner network.

Safety is further enhanced through sample analysis, batch traceability and the provision of paperwork, together with the correct equipment being used to store, process and transport goods.

For food and drinks manufacturers seeking to mitigate shortages, delays and bottlenecks, partnering with an experienced toll processor offers a smooth and safe supply in today’s volatile market.

For more information about toll processing visit https://forbeats.co.uk/

Markem-Imaje Expands Wax-Based Ink Production with New Investment in Keene, New Hampshire

Markem-Imaje, part of Dover and a global provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions and industrial marking and coding systems, has announced a major investment in its Keene, New Hampshire facility to expand production capacity for its industry-leading, sustainable, wax-based Touch Dry® inks.

The expansion adds a new ink production line at the company’s EcoVadis Platinum Sustainability-rated site in Keene, underscoring Markem-Imaje’s long-term commitment to innovation, sustainability, and regional economic development. This strategic investment boosts the company’s ability to meet growing global demand for high-performance, environmentally responsible coding solutions.

Innovation and Sustainability

“We’ve seen consistent global growth in demand for our Touch Dry® ink technology, driven by our customers’ increasing emphasis on operational efficiency,” said Dane Hileman, Product Division Director at Markem-Imaje. “With this expansion in Keene, we’re strengthening our global production capabilities while continuing to invest in the local community.”

Touch Dry® inks are an advanced wax-based formulation that solidifies on contact for durable, high-resolution codes. Used with the Markem-Imaje Large Character High Resolution Piezo inkjet coders 5940 G and 5800, these inks enable the label-free, precision printing of 1D and 2D barcodes (including GS1 Digital Link standard

2D codes), logos, text, and graphics directly onto corrugated boxes, trays, shrink wrap, polystyrene, and other porous, semiporous, and non-porous packaging materials. The technology is ideal for a wide range of industries, including fresh produce, beverages, meats, confections, frozen foods, and industrial goods.

Free from odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Touch Dry® inks, available in a variety of colors, are safer to handle and more sustainable than conventional liquid ink alternatives. In addition, Touch Dry® inks will not spread along corrugated fibers or lose resolution.

Regional Investment in New Hampshire

This latest expansion in Keene complements Markem-Imaje’s broader commitment to New Hampshire. In addition to its long-established operations in Keene, the company will open a new research and development office in Salem, New Hampshire, further reinforcing the state’s importance as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation within the company’s global footprint.

Visit www.markem-imaje.com for further information.

Reshape the Food & Drink Industry The Packaging Deadline That Will 12 August 2026:

The clock is ticking. From 12 August 2026, businesses operating in the EU’s food and drink sector will face a new reality when it comes to packaging. This is the date when the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) becomes fully enforceable — and if you’re not ready, you may no longer be able to sell into EU markets.

Although the regulation formally came into force on 11 February 2025, the EU has allowed an 18-month transition period for companies to review, redesign and replace non-compliant packaging. That period is now underway, and for many food and beverage producers, the changes required are anything but minor.

The PPWR is more than a set of new rules — it’s a complete shift in how packaging is expected to function across its entire lifecycle. It touches everything: what materials you use, how your packaging is labelled, how easily it can be recycled, and what happens to it once the consumer is finished.

Let’s break down what’s changing — and what food and drink businesses need to do to stay ahead.

What Changes on 12 August 2026?

A Ban on PFAS in Food Packaging

One of the most immediate and impactful changes is the restriction of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) sometimes referred

to as “forever chemicals” because of their resistance to breakdown in nature. These are widely used in food contact packaging for their water and grease-resistant properties.

From the compliance date, packaging must not contain:

• More than 25 parts per billion (ppb) of any single PFAS compound,

• More than 250 ppb total PFAS,

• Or more than 50 parts per million (ppm) total organic fluorine.

This ban will affect countless food applications, from bakery papers and takeaway boxes to frozen meal containers and fast-food wrappers. Businesses must begin switching to safer, compliant alternatives now — reformulating materials, testing barrier performance, and ensuring supply chain readiness.

Packaging Must Be Recyclable — And Actually Recycled

PPWR introduces strict design-for-recycling requirements. It’s not enough that packaging is technically recyclable; it must be recyclable at scale using existing infrastructure within the EU.

Packaging will be graded (A to E) based on recyclability. By 2030, anything below grade C will no longer be allowed on the market.

The focus is on simplified, mono-material designs that are easy to separate and process.

For the food sector where many packs are currently multilayered or heavily treated this will require a major rethink. From film pouches and composite tubs to foil lids and laminated cartons, complex formats will need to be simplified without compromising safety, shelf life or branding.

Recycled

Content Targets Will Be Enforced

Plastic packaging used in the EU must now contain minimum levels of recycled content, and these will rise sharply over time. For example:

• PET bottles must contain at least 30% recycled plastic by 2030.

• Other plastic packaging for food must hit 10% by 2030, and 50% by 2040.

• Single-use bottles will face even higher thresholds, up to 65%.

Producers will be required to prove their packaging meets these standards, so traceability and supplier certifications will become essential.

Restrictions on Single-Use and Overpackaging

The PPWR targets unnecessary packaging, especially single-use items and formats that generate excessive waste. This includes:

• Disposable condiment sachets,

• Pre-packed fresh produce under 1.5kg,

• Single-portion packaging in hotels, cafés, and catering.

In addition, packaging will need to be efficient with no more than 50% empty space allowed in most retail formats by 2030. That means brands will need to consider not only what their packaging is made of, but how it’s shaped and sized.

It’s time to say goodbye to oversized boxes filled with air and tiny products inside.

Reuse Must Be an Option

PPWR also introduces mandatory reuse and refill systems. In practical terms, this means:

• Cafés, takeaways and caterers must offer customers the option to use their own containers or opt for a reusable one at no extra charge.

• Transport packaging for food distribution must include a percentage of reusable formats (such as crates or pallets) and track their usage.

For many in the food and beverage supply chain, this will require new infrastructure, investment in cleaning and logistics systems, and customer education.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

One of the most far-reaching aspects of PPWR is its Extended Producer Responsibility framework. This makes producers financially and operationally responsible for the waste their packaging creates. Companies will need to:

• Register in each EU country where they sell packaging,

• Join an approved compliance scheme or report directly,

• Fund recycling, sorting, collection and public awareness programmes,

• Provide data and documentation on packaging volumes and materials.

EPR is not optional and failing to meet obligations could mean serious legal and commercial consequences.

The Timeline at a Glance

DATE WHAT HAPPENS

11 February 2025 Regulation enters into force — transition period begins

12 August 2026 Majority of PPWR provisions become enforceable across the EU

2028 Additional standards (labelling, QR codes, performance grades) finalised 1 January 2030 Minimum recyclability (grade C) and recycled content thresholds apply 2038 Packaging below recyclability grade C banned from the market

What Food & Drink Businesses Should Be Doing Now

1. Review and Audit Your Packaging Line

Identify any packaging formats that contain PFAS, are difficult to recycle, or will fall foul of size, reuse or EPR rules.

2. Start Redesigning – Don’t Wait Work with packaging suppliers now to develop recyclable, simplified formats that still protect your product and brand identity.

3. Establish Traceability Systems

You’ll need detailed documentation for all packaging, from recycled content to recyclability testing. Set up systems to track this data now.

4. Budget for EPR

Start forecasting your Extended Producer Responsibility fees and join national registers where required.

5. Explore Reuse Models

Look into reusable containers, customer return schemes, and deposit systems especially if you serve takeaway or operate in foodservice.

Final Thought

The PPWR isn’t a minor tweak to the status quo. It’s a fundamental transformation of how packaging works in the European market. For food and drink brands, it represents both a challenge and an opportunity to innovate, reduce waste, and lead on sustainability. You’ve got time, but not much. 12 August 2026 will come faster than you think. Start now, and you’ll be ready not just to comply but to compete.

Reference

Official Regulation Text – Regulation (EU) 2024/883

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R0883

European Commission Press Release – Parliament and Council adopt EU rules on packaging https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_203

European Commission – Packaging and Packaging Waste Overview

https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste_en

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – PFAS Restriction Proposal https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/perfluoroalkyl-chemicals-pfas

Annex II – Recyclability Performance Grades (in Regulation 2024/883)

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R0883#d1e32-79-1

Annex III – Recycled Content Targets

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R0883#d1e2757-88-1

Reusable Packaging and Empty Space – Article 10 & 21

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R0883#d1e1591-43-1

Extended Producer Responsibility – Articles 39–44

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R0883#d1e4725-97-1

Timeline for Delegated Acts and Labelling – Articles 56 & 57

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R0883#d1e5700-100-1

When it comes to sustainability, context is everything

It’s no surprise that greenwashing has become such a prevalent challenge in today’s retail worldsustainability has become one of the most overused and underdefined words in packaging.

In 2025, despite legislation like the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and growing consensus on the need to reduce impact, ‘sustainable’ still means very different things depending on who you ask.

To a retailer, it might mean packaging that reduces plastic and meets consumer expectations. For a procurement manager, it could be about recyclability and compliance. For a brand, it often means protecting reputation without compromising performance. And for consumers, it’s simplicity. Clear labelling, easy disposal, less guilt.

The challenge - and equally the opportunity - for packaging suppliers like us is to create solutions that address all of these needs. That’s why our definition of sustainable isn’t just about materials. In fact, it’s not about any one thing in isolation. It’s about functionality, systems compatibility, and real-world results. Instead of what makes headlines and looks good in surface level ESG reports, it’s about designing for the way packaging is actually used, and the way it’s actually recycled, composted or disposed of.

Regulation is driving progress, not clarity

There’s no question that PPWR and similar legislation are changing packaging design on a fundamental level. In many ways, particularly backed by language-guiding initiatives such as the EU’s Green Claims Directive and UK’s Green Claims Code, it’s helping to weed out greenwash and enforce performance-based definitions.

But these changes have also exposed how wide the spectrum of ‘sustainable’ really is. A compostable crisp pack may be a perfect solution for one brand, while a kerbside recyclable barrier paper might be ideal for another. Both are valid, and both approaches are important. At Parkside, we believe the question isn’t “Is this pack sustainable?” It’s “Sustainable how?” And “For who?”

sustainability,

Recyclable. Compostable. Renewable. What matters is relevance.

We’ve invested heavily in developing a portfolio that gives our customers flexibility without compromise. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, because there’ll never be a perfect material, a perfect pack design, a perfect waste stream, and so on. This is especially important when performance, cost, consumer experience, and end-of-life all factor into today’s packaging design decisions.

More recently, we launched Popflex™ - a recyclable mono-PET lidding film with integrated easy-open functionality. Designed to stay attached to trays through the recycling process, it aligns with OPRL guidance and uses 30% post-consumer recycled content. The result? Less material, greater convenience, and better recycling outcomes.

It’s about systems, not just substrates

What all these examples share is a shift in mindset: from asking “what material is it made of?” to “how does this pack behave in the real world – when the consumer’s actually using it?”.

Take our work with Cox & Co. The brand moved from a homecompostable film to a fully recyclable paper-based flow wrap. The reason was a clearer, simpler message for the consumer, and delivered material efficiency at just 1g per pack. It kept the look and feel of kraft paper while adding the robustness and sealing performance needed for production.

On the other hand, compostables continue to be a strong fit for certain formats. Our collaboration with Two Farmers crisps is a great example. The company’s compostable pack was a UK-first back in 2018, and it continues to evolve. We helped preserve shelf life by engineering a three-layer cellulose film with enhanced barriers, proving compostability doesn’t have to mean compromising on barrier performance and protection.

Likewise, with Darkwoods Coffee, we delivered a high-barrier compostable pack that protects aroma and freshness, while supporting the brand’s cradle-to-cradle ethos. In categories like hot beverages, where premium cues and sustainability focus go hand-in-hand, compostables can deliver real value.

Then there’s recyclable innovation. Our award-winning freezer paper, developed with Iceland for frozen seafood, replaced a non-recyclable LDPE bag with a kerbside recyclable, PFAS-free paper pack. It performs under extreme moisture and temperature conditions while meeting the retailer’s plastic reduction pledge. It’s a technical leap forward, but also a commercial one.

Can it be collected and processed at scale? Does it simplify things for consumers? Does it align with the retailer’s infrastructure? Can it be printed effectively? Does it reduce transport impact? All of these considerations are part of our design process. We call this approach fit-for-purpose sustainability, because the real challenge isn’t choosing the right buzzword, it’s choosing the right solution.

In 2025, we’re moving past generic claims and one-size-fitsall definitions. Sustainability is becoming more practical, more context-driven, and more accountable. Our role at Parkside is to help customers navigate that complexity with packaging that performs. That earns trust. That meets legislative demands without forgetting consumer realities.

Ultimately, sustainability isn’t just about ticking boxes – and treating it as such misses the point. It’s about getting it right for people, for brands, and for the planet, and crucially, it’s about recognising that for all the measurable metrics - recyclability, CO₂, lightweighting - sustainability, in the way today’s consumer experiences it, is never one thing in isolation. It’s the sum of choices, trade-offs, and context. What feels right to one person or brand might not resonate with another. That’s why the future of sustainable packaging isn’t a straight line. It’s a constantly shifting balance, and our job is to help keep it steady.

Article courtesy of Julia O’Loughlin, Group Marketing Manager at Parkside

High-precision fill quantity control in the food supplement production

On the Scales, ready, quality! The Flexus® checkweigher and the SPC@Enterprise software solution from Minebea Intec support the production of Vital Products, a leading contract manufacturer of nutritional supplements. Thanks to precise weight control and comprehensive process monitoring , the quality of the filled tablets and capsules in plastic containers is guaranteed.

Vital Products GmbH was looking for a precise and efficient solution to check the weight and ensure the completeness of its products. The main objective was to ensure the company’s high quality standards through reliable technologies. The production includes food supplements in the form of tablets and capsules, which are mainly filled in plastic containers.

Process monitoring through weight control and software integration

Minebea Intec supplied the Flexus® WS 1kg checkweigher including the powerful SPC@Enterprise software solution. This combination not only enables precise weight control, but also comprehensive process monitoring and analysis. The Flexus® checkweigher checks the weight of the plastic containers highly accurately to ensure that each product meets the defined specifications. At the same

time, the check scale performs a completeness check to ensure that all containers are filled correctly. The seamless integration of the SPC@Enterprise software allows Vital Products to evaluate the required production data in detail, identify weak points and optimise processes.

Successful use leads to expansion of the solution

The advantages for Vital Products are obvious: Quality assurance and greater efficiency with simple operation and seamless integration of the software into the production process . Thanks to the detailed data analysis, quality standards can be easily met and audits facilitated. This strengthens internal process reliability and end customers confidence in the Products of Vital Products.

Vital Products were extremely satisfied with the solution supplied and particularly emphasised the reliability of the Checkweighers and the quality of the Minebea Intec Service and Support team. This positive experience led to a further enquiry: two additional Checkweighers are to be added to the production lines to ensure that the entire production is equipped with Minebea Intec’s technology.

Customised solution as the basis for a longterm partnership

The project impressively demonstrates how Minebea Intec creates added value through innovative solutions and customer-orientated service. The combination of precision, efficiency and process control has not only improved production quality at Vital Products, but has also laid the foundation for a long-term partnership. Vital Products is an excellent example of how customised solutions from Minebea Intec can help to meet demanding customer requirements and at the same time secure a competitive advantage.

“The solutions of Minebea Intec, especially the Flexus® checkweigher, have significantly improved our product quality and processes. Precision, reliability and excellent Service are convincing across the board.”

Skotnik, Managing Director at Vital Products GmbH.

Key facts

Vital Products GmbH needed a reliable solution to check the weight and completeness of its Products precisely and efficiently. The plant produces nutritional supplements such as tablets and capsules, which are mainly filled into plastic containers.

Application

The Flexus® checkweigher checks the weight and completeness of plastic containers. Vital Products uses the SPC@Enterprise software to analyse production data, identify weak points and optimise its processes.

Products

Checkweighers Flexus® Software SPC@Enterprise

Customer benefits

Inspection Solutions

• Precise weight control and completeness checks ensure compliance with strict quality standards.

• Detailed data evaluations enable production processes to be optimised and increase process reliability.

• Seamless software connection facilitates quality control and supports audits.

Customer

Vital Products GmbH is a leading contract manufacturer of food supplements based in Waldsassen, Germany. Since 2002, the company has been offering comprehensive services from product development to packaging . With modern production facilities and the highest quality standards (DIN EN ISO 9001, IFS Food), Vital Products supplies capsules, tablets and powder blends “Made in Germany” worldwide.

www.minebea-intec.com

Save money and contribute to a sustainable world

Saving money while contributing to a more sustainable world, that sounds good, right? That’s exactly what Industrial Auctions offers. This online auctioneer is specialized in organising online auctions with machinery for the food and beverage industry.

By choosing used equipment over new, you reduce acquisition costs significantly, while still benefiting from machines that, when properly maintained, can perform reliably for years. And by extending the life cycle of machinery, you actively help reduce waste and resource consumption: a smart move for both your business and the planet.

In July, several auctions will be held across various sectors. Besides the meat industry, auctions will also feature equipment from the dairy and vegetable industries, including cheese, onions and potatoes.

For the dairy industry, auctions are being organized in Poland on behalf of TMT Spółka, offering cheese cutting and packaging lines. Due to changes at FrieslandCampina, dairy industry machines are being offered in Born and Leeuwarden. These include cheese processing, ripening, and packaging lines, a GEA UHT installation, and other equipment.

Or are you perhaps interested in machinery and equipment for the fruit and vegetable industry? Then take a look at the auction featuring Dawtona’s onion sorting and packaging line, the steam peeling line for potatoes in Stavenhagen, or the online auction of a production and packaging line for fresh fries.

Within the meat industry, a diverse range of equipment is available. For example, the Forges de Eaux auction features a nearly new complete pig slaughtering line. The USE Poultry Tech auction in Hillegom offers a variety of machines for slaughtering and processing poultry. Additionally, on behalf of Hall’s of Scotland in Prestwick and Ramsay of Carluke, several meat processing machines will be auctioned.

In short, a wide and varied selection ensures there’s something for everyone involved in the food industry.

With a growing international network and a focus on reuse, every auction is a step toward a smarter, more circular economy.

Explore the full range of available equipment on www.Industrial-Auctions.com.

Take control of product integrity anytime, anywhere

Take control of product integrity anytime, anywhere

Take control of product integrity anytime, anywhere

Take control of product integrity anytime, anywhere

Take control of product integrity anytime, anywhere

www.bia-analytical.com

info@bia-analytical.com

www.bia-analytical.com

www.bia-analytical.com

www.bia-analytical.com

info@bia-analytical.com www.bia-analytical.com

info@bia-analytical.com

info@bia-analytical.com

info@bia-analytical.com

15—19 September 2025 Munich, Germany

World’s Leading Trade Fair for the Beverage and Liquid Food Industry

Experience the comprehensive range of products across the entire value chain, from raw materials to packaging and logistics solutions – all in action. Network with industry experts, discover the “The Next Big Thing”, and gain valuable insights into the key topics:

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