Kimberley Read at: kimberley@foodanddrinknetwork-uk.co.uk or Joanne Murphy at: joanne@foodanddrinknetwork-uk.co.uk
foodanddrinknetwork.co.uk
Durite launches new LED warning light featuring HINVII™ technology to boost workers’ safety in
low-light conditions
Durite, the leading supplier of vehicle safety and electrical components, has launched a new LED warning light that combines standard amber LED strobing with the market-proven HINVII™ system to improve visibility in low-light conditions and enhance safety for on-site personnel.
HINVII™ (High intensity non-visible intelligent illumination) produces a distinctive purple flash to activate high-visibility materials. This makes hi-vis clothing, signs, cones, and machinery glow brightly—dramatically improving visibility at dawn, dusk, or in poor weather, without creating distracting glare for drivers or crews.
The new warning lamp includes multi-programmable flash patterns and operates on 12/24V systems. Its rugged design is IP67 and IP69K rated, ensuring high performance in demanding environments. Built to last, it withstands vibration, water, and dirt, making it ideal for high traffic areas, roadside incidents, and industrial sites, says the company.
Especially relevant for sectors such as waste management, construction,
Culina Group raises over £40,000 to support Hope House Children’s Hospices
Culina Group is proud to announce that it has raised over £40,000 in support of Hope House Children’s Hospices, a charity providing specialist care to children with life-threatening conditions and vital support to their families.
Hope House is a lifeline for more than 750 families across Shropshire, Cheshire and across Wales, helping every local child with a life-threatening condition live their very best life from diagnosis.
Led primarily by the team at Culina’s Market Drayton site, the fundraising total is the result of a wide range of initiatives carried out by Culina Group employees over the years.
One standout effort saw three Culina colleagues take part in a sponsored drive from Calais to Barcelona in a £200 Ford Mondeo Estate, raising over £1,000 while completing a series of fun challenges along the way. On-site charity events also contributed to the funds, including the annual Culina Group Charity Golf Day, the auction of FA Cup tickets which raised more than £1,000, as well as donating sacks of toys to the hospice at Christmas.
To mark the milestone, Culina Group CEO Liam McElroy visited Hope House, in Oswestry, accompanied by Michelle Anderson, who has led fundraising efforts within the company. During the visit, they toured the facilities and saw firsthand the difference the hospice makes to children and families.
As a heartfelt gesture during the visit, the children presented Liam and Michelle with a framed picture to thank Culina Group for the generous support and funds raised.
Liam McElroy, Culina Group CEO said: “It’s been inspiring to see our colleagues come together over the years to support such a meaningful cause for a local charity. Hope House provides extraordinary care and comfort to families in their most difficult moments, and we’re honoured to contribute to their mission and help give back to those in a time of need.”
Dawn Ball, Area Fundraiser at Hope House, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Culina Logistics for their outstanding support and commitment to Hope House Children’s Hospices over the years. Reaching the incredible milestone of £40,000 is a testament to their generosity, teamwork, and dedication to making a real difference for local children and families. Thank you for standing with us and helping local children with life-threatening conditions to live their best life.”
Culina Group will continue its fundraising efforts for Hope House Children’s Hospices, which needs to raise £10 million each year to continue providing specialist and vital nursing care and practical and emotional support to children and families.
highway maintenance, distribution, recovery, utilities, agriculture, and logistics, the warning lamp is suitable for any vehicle operating in high-risk or variable lighting conditions.
“This patented technology enables fleets to access precision warning lighting which quite literally cuts through the dark,” says John Nobbs, UK Sales Director for Durite. “By enhancing visibility without increasing visual noise, it empowers fleet and emergency service operators to improve crew safety without compromising performance or compliance. Truly, a leap forward in lighting safety.”
For further details, visit www.durite.co.uk.
Unchartered Territory Appoints Lucy Thomas as CEO to Lead Global Growth from UAE
Global brand building agency Unchartered Territory has appointed Lucy Thomas as its CEO (Commander & Chief), signalling the next phase of growth for the fast-rising firm founded by former Liquid Death International executives Oli Russell-Cowan and Ben Dando.
Based in the UAE, Lucy is a seasoned FMCG strategist with over 15 years experience scaling global food and beverage brands. From Beyond Meat to Tony’s Chocolonely, she has worked with some of the world’s most ambitious disruptors, bringing the firepower to take brands worldwide with confidence and purpose.
Founded in April 2025, Unchartered Territory has already partnered with culture-forward brands including Drip Water, G Spot Drinks, ALBA, Mayah & Shnack. The agency positions itself as a launchpad for ambitious brands in FMCG, wellness and lifestyle, specialising in international expansion, brand development, lifestyle marketing and strategic advisory.
Oli Russell-Cowan, Co-Founder, said “Lucy joining as CEO is a massive moment for Unchartered. She’s the real deal, combining sharp strategy with operational grit and a global perspective. With her leading we’re doubling down on our mission to build the world’s most ambitious brands.”
Lucy Thomas, CEO (Commander & Chief), said “Unchartered Territory is already making waves and what Ben and Oli have built so far is truly unique: super creative, globally connected and with a real cultural lens. To join as CEO and expand the crew from the UAE was an opportunity I couldn’t resist.”
With Lucy’s appointment as CEO, Unchartered Territory strengthens its global presence and sets its sights on the next chapter, helping founders, creators and innovators navigate unchartered waters and turn ambition into results.
Danni Leggatt Head of Organisational Development for Culina Group, Michelle Anderson , the Culina colleague driving the fundraising, Culina CEO Liam McElroy and Emma Entwistle, Head of Internal Communications at Culina Group.
Duynie boosts compliance and cuts admin with AssetGo system
Duynie says it has tightened up driver compliance management and gained better control of fleet data since switching to AssetGo’s digital fleet and driver compliance platform.
Duynie Feed is Europe’s largest specialist in co-products from the food, beverage and biofuel industries. It supplies sustainable, high-quality animal feed while helping food manufacturers cut waste.
The business adopted AssetGo in 2022 following a trial, and now uses the full system covering daily checks, inspections, accident reporting, cost tracking and driver licence checks. Bringing all compliance functions under one roof has helped Duynie improve accuracy, reduce admin time and provide instant access to information when required.
By digitising compliance checks and driver records, Duynie says it has reduced the risks associated with paper-based processes and strengthened its ability to demonstrate compliance to the DVSA. The move has also given managers
Hospitality firms urged to step up chef recruitment ahead of peak season
An industry jobs specialist has urged businesses across the hospitality and catering sector to act fast and fill any vacant chef positions ahead of the busy winter peak season.
The alert has come from industry specialist Kasia Krieger as Office for National Statistics (ONS) data highlights that over 89,000 jobs have been lost in the hospitality sector in the past year – with thousands of kitchen vacancies left unfilled.
According to UK Hospitality, the ONS figure accounts for 53% of all job losses in the UK, leaving pubs, restaurants and hotels exposed and understaffed.
Ms Krieger, business manager from catering and hospitality jobs firm Pineapple Recruitment, said: “As an industry, it has been a hugely difficult year and these market changes are underlined by the release of this latest data from the ONS.
“Higher taxes, national insurance and business rates have left hospitality businesses struggling, but many pubs, hotels and restaurants I speak to are banking on the crucial autumn and festive period to bounce back as much as possible.
“From corporate gatherings and Christmas holiday parties to intimate weddings and seasonal events, autumn and winter is a time of increased demand and heightened expectations which means venues must secure the best talent now.
“A cornerstone of that is permanent chef recruitment as these professional experts can come in and create the best dishes with the best produce. It’s what many under-capacity hospitality businesses need at present as we approach the busy party season. It can help them stand out and build their reputations.
“There are talented chefs out there looking for the right opportunities so I urge the businesses to really start moving now and secure a chef, or a team, who really can make a difference in the long-term.
“As I say, the industry is under huge pressure like never before on the people and talent front. But the right chefs, at all levels, are out there in the market and could be a game-changer.”
For more information, readers and businesses can visit https://www.pineapple-recruitment.co.uk/our-services/sectors/ chefs/, or call 0333 070 5981.
greater confidence in the accuracy of their records and improved visibility of fleet performance.
AssetGo’s system is designed for operators looking to centralise vehicle and driver compliance in one easy-to-use digital platform. The tool provides real-time oversight of fleet condition, driver documentation and compliance status, as well as accident and cost reporting.
The family-run company has also recently gained official approval by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) as a systems provider for drivers’ hours under the agency’s prestigious Earned Recognition (ER) scheme.
Croxsons to showcase new spirits bottle range at London Packaging Week
Leading family-owned glass packaging specialist, Croxsons, will be exhibiting at this year’s London Packaging Week, taking place on 15 - 16 October at ExCeL London.
The event will mark the first time that Croxsons has unveiled its newly launched spirits bottle range at a major packaging show. The company is exhibiting on Stand G54.
The new range has been developed to combine striking aesthetics with functional performance, reflecting Croxsons’ commitment to offering spirits brands premium packaging solutions that balance heritage, innovation and sustainability. The bottles not only provide a premium look, but are also rightweight options that help spirit producers meet their sustainability goals while reducing EPR fees. The collection will take centre stage on Croxsons’ stand, with refreshed graphics designed to highlight the bottles’ distinctive forms and features.
Alongside the new range, Croxsons will also present packaging created in partnership with leading global and independent brands, demonstrating the company’s ability to deliver tailored solutions across the drinks industry. Members of the sales team will be available throughout the two-day event to discuss projects and showcase Croxsons’ expertise in closures, decoration and design.
Adding to the company’s presence, CEO Tim Croxson will join the London Packaging Week content programme on Wednesday 15 October at 12:15pm, taking part in a panel discussion titled “Policy on Top: What the latest packaging reforms mean for the drinks industry”. The discussion aims to explore how reforms like EPR and DRS are impacting producers, the challenges and opportunities for both established players and challenger brands, and whether these shifts are moving the industry closer to a circular packaging model.
Tim Croxson said: “London Packaging Week is always a key date in our calendar, but this year is particularly special as it’s the first time we’ll be presenting our new spirits bottle range at a major exhibition. It’s a collection we’re incredibly proud of and we’re looking forward to introducing it to the industry, alongside showcasing some of the fantastic brands we support. I’m also delighted to be taking part in the panel discussions, which promise to provide a real opportunity to share perspectives and debate the future of packaging.”
London Packaging Week is one of the UK’s premier events for packaging innovation, bringing together thousands of brands, designers and manufacturers across beauty, drinks, luxury and FMCG markets.
Learn more about Croxsons visit https://www.croxsons.com/
Fowler Welch Wins TCS&D Environmental and Sustainability Award
Fowler Welch, a leading UK supply chain and logistics expert, specialising in flexible and cost-effective chilled supply chain services, and part of Culina Group, is proud to announce it has won the Environmental and Sustainability Award at the 2025 TCS&D Awards.
The award recognises Fowler Welch’s outstanding commitment to reducing its environmental impact and its ambitious goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Through a series of practical and innovative initiatives, the business has significantly improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions across its operations.
At its Spalding warehouse, Fowler Welch has delivered a major transformation by installing a state-of-the-art ammonia refrigeration plant, replacing outdated HFC systems. Ammonia, a natural refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential, has dramatically improved cooling performance while reducing the site’s environmental footprint.
Wider additional measures include the introduction of LED lighting, insulated rapid doors, and air barriers, as well as the creation of insulated office spaces
Jet Environmental appoints new project manager to strengthen HVAC project delivery
Jet Environmental, a leading specialist in bespoke HVAC solutions for large-scale commercial and industrial environments, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Steven Reid as project manager.
Having joined the company in early August, Steven brings over 20 years of practical experience in the HVAC and R industry. Starting his career as an installation and maintenance engineer, he has effectively delivered complex commercial and residential HVAC projects in both South Africa and the UK.
His technical expertise spans system design, commissioning and integration, with specialist knowledge in VRF systems, AHUs, BMSlinked HVAC equipment and ventilation solutions. Additionally, Steven has a strong track record of managing technical teams, procurement, logistics and full project execution from concept to completion. He holds AutoCAD certification, NVQ Level 2/3 in Refrigeration and SMSTS certification, demonstrating his commitment to both technical excellence and safety.
Reporting directly to Jet’s operations director, Gary Hardiman, Steven will be responsible for delivering high-value commercial and industrial HVAC projects. His remit covers all aspects of the project lifecycle, including design coordination, procurement, commissioning and client handover.
Commenting on his appointment, Steven said: “I was drawn to Jet because of its reputation for engineering excellence and innovative HVAC solutions. The opportunity to manage complex, high-value projects within a collaborative environment is a perfect fit for my skills and ambitions. I look forward to contributing to the delivery of bespoke, high-quality solutions for clients across the UK and Europe.”
Jason Hibbs, Jet’s managing Director, added: “We are delighted to welcome Steven to the team. His extensive technical knowledge and proven experience in delivering complex HVAC projects make him a valuable addition to our business as we continue to expand our capabilities and strengthen client relationships.”
Learn more about Jet Environmental visit www.jetenvironmental.com
to reduce heat loss. These upgrades have reduced daily power consumption from 3,150 kWh to approximately 1,000 kWh, resulting in a daily carbon saving of around 382 kg, equivalent to planting thousands of trees.
Commenting on the award, Steve Winwood, CEO – Culina Group Chilled Division said: “We are delighted to receive the TCS&D Environmental and Sustainability Award. This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams and our belief that sustainability must be embedded at every level of our business. By investing in innovative technologies and working collaboratively across the supply chain, we aim to inspire others to take action and make a meaningful impact.”
Petit Forestier, a driving force in cold chain logistics
Petit Forestier stands at the forefront of the cold chain logistics sector, offering a comprehensive suite of rental solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses across the UK.
Specialising in short, medium, and long term rental options, providing flexible refrigerated vehicle solutions ranging from LGVs to HGVs, ensuring businesses can scale their operations to meet demand without compromise.
With 12 strategically located depots across the UK, Petit Forestier offers unparalleled 24/7 service support, 365 days a year. This commitment ensures that customers receive uninterrupted service, no matter the time or season.
Whether it’s a breakdown or a routine maintenance check, our dedicated teams are ready to support customers around the clock, ensuring operations run smoothly and vehicles remain in optimal condition throughout their lifecycle.
Our expert team works closely with customers, taking the time to understand the specific needs and challenges. By doing so, we can recommend the most suitable solutions, maximising the efficiency and lifespan of your refrigerated fleets.
As a trusted partner in the cold chain logistics industry, Petit Forestier’s dedication to customer satisfaction and operational excellence makes them a key player in ensuring the seamless transport of temperature sensitive goods across the UK.
Whether a customer needs immediate assistance or long term fleet management, Petit Forestier’s tailored solutions and expert support make them reliable logistics industry specialists.
Would you like to see how Petit Forestier can support you with your cold store requirements?
Speak with a member of our expert team today and begin your partnership with Petit Forestier.
Those who reached out to us at PPMA 2025 to talk about Digital Transformation, MES and Industry 4.0 were definitely on the right track as they discussed the relevance of our garden railway and its links to the Cobot. OCR, On Line Machine vision, OCR, Label Verification and effective line performance improvement.
For those who missed us, sorry we were very crowded at times, there is still every opportunity to contact us for an on site/off site review at a mutually convenient time.
Why Choose Harford?
We have more than 55 years’ experience gained through helping manufacturers with digital transformation, ensuring consistent quality compliance and improving performance. Our customers include Diageo, Unilever, Charlie Bigham’s, Müller, Sofina Foods, Church & Dwight and many more.
Harford Control Celebrated Best-Ever Exhibition at PPMA 2025
An article By Roy Green, Harford Control Ltd. October 2025
Harford Control, the global leader in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), is proud to announce that PPMA Total Show 2025 was our best exhibition to date. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 23rd–25th September, the event proved to be a resounding success. We were delighted to reconnect with so many old friends and to welcome new ones to our stand across the three days.
Visitors to Stand B80 experienced a showcase of Harford’s latest innovations in real-time quality, efficiency, compliance and yield management. The strong engagement throughout the show not only highlighted the industry’s appetite for smarter, more sustainable manufacturing but also reinforced Harford’s role as a trusted partner for manufacturers looking to reduce waste, improve compliance and maximise performance.
Strong Partnership with Etavoni
A key highlight of this year’s event was Harford’s collaboration with Etavoni, the automation experts, who have successfully partnered with us on several projects. By bringing together Harford’s Manufacturing Execution System capabilities with Etavoni’s automation expertise, the stand demonstrated how smart manufacturing execution and actionable insights can
combine with cutting-edge automation to make operations faster, smarter and more sustainable.
The partnership attracted considerable attention, with many visitors keen to explore how joint innovation between Harford and Etavoni could help them overcome some of the toughest challenges in modern manufacturing — from labour shortages and rising costs to sustainability targets and compliance pressures.
The Harford Express Train with Cobot – Where Robotics Meets Smart Factory Innovation
The Harford Express Train with cobot quickly became a crowd favourite, drawing visitors in with its interactive and engaging demonstration. This miniature automated ‘production line’ gave attendees the
chance to see robotics and smart factory integration in action, using a wide gauge Garden Railway as our ‘make believe’ (fun) production line.
The cobot stopped the train, lifted bottles, and used a vision camera to inspect caps, labels, and text accuracy before returning them to the train. At the same time, it verified date codes, barcodes, and 2D codes in real time, showing how inline vision inspection ensures both quality and compliance.
Visitors were particularly impressed by how seamlessly the cobot integrated colour matching of bottle caps, pattern matching of labels and OCR Reading — all within a single process. The demonstration provided a powerful illustration of how robotics can be combined with MES to enhance efficiency and compliance without disrupting production.
Launch of the Incident Camera
Another major success at PPMA 2025 was the official launch of Harford’s Incident Camera. This system immediately captured the imagination of visitors thanks to its ability to record machine stoppages and quality issues in real time.
Linked to traffic light displays, the Incident Camera provides instant visibility of problems such as mislabelling, coding errors, or material usage deviations. When the Harford Express Train was stopped and the cobot triggered its checks, the Incident Camera automatically recorded the issue and fed the evidence into the reporting layer. This gave attendees a clear picture of how real-world root cause analysis could be made faster, easier and more accurate.
Manufacturers responded with great enthusiasm to the Incident Camera’s potential for root cause analysis, which is key to lasting continuous improvement. For many, the system represented a step change in how production issues could be visualised and addressed proactively, rather than reactively.
Interactive Terminals and Live Demonstrations
Alongside the Express Train and Incident Camera, visitors were also able to use Harford’s interactive terminals, which provided hands-on access to a range of MES functionalities, including:
• Weight & volume control
• Barcode verification & vision inspection
• Efficiency monitoring and labour tracking
• Short Interval Control
• LIMS, lab results, and maintenance handover tools
These live demonstrations reinforced the practical benefits of Harford’s modular MES approach. By combining intelligent MES software with integrated hardware, Harford showed how manufacturers can achieve complete digital transformation — from goods-in to dispatch.
The discussions around these terminals revealed a common theme: manufacturers are seeking ways to achieve realtime visibility, compliance assurance, and efficiency improvements. With growing pressure to cut waste and meet sustainability targets, many attendees saw Harford’s integrated solutions as a clear route to achieving measurable improvements.
Looking Ahead
With more than 55 years of continuous improvement, Harford Control has built a strong reputation for helping manufacturers in food & beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemical, and household goods sectors to achieve real-time visibility, compliance, efficiency, and yield improvements.
Trusted by leading brands such as Unilever, Nice Pak, Church & Dwight, ECS, Crediton Dairy, Yeo Valley, Saputo, Müller, Loch Lomond Distillers, and many more, Harford continues to deliver solutions that drive sustainable factory performance.
The success of PPMA 2025 has reinforced Harford’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and customer success. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to help manufacturers reduce waste, ensure compliance, and maximise efficiency in the years to come.
Thank You from the Harford Team
The Harford team would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited our stand at PPMA 2025 — whether reconnecting with us as long-standing partners or joining us for the first time. Your interest, engagement and feedback made the event truly memorable.
We would also like to thank our partners at Etavoni, whose expertise and collaboration were central to showcasing the power of smart manufacturing execution combined with advanced automation.
As we celebrate this milestone exhibition, we remain more committed than ever to helping manufacturers achieve sustainable performance, compliance, and efficiency through our industry-leading MES solutions.
The Source trade show returns for 2026 –celebrating 21 years of connecting South West hospitality.
The Source trade show, the South West’s leading food, drink, and hospitality event, is back for its coming of age 21st year on the 3rd and 4th of February 2026, and registration for attendees is now open.
Held annually in Exeter, The Source trade show has become a cornerstone of the region’s hospitality calendar, attracting thousands of buyers from across the South West and beyond. From chefs and hoteliers to independent retailers and caterers, the show connects brands with decision-makers seeking the latest in food, drink, equipment, and innovation.
• The UK hospitality market is now worth £61.2 billion, with the South West seeing above-average growth driven by domestic tourism and local sourcing trends.
• 66% of travellers now combine leisure and business stays, boosting demand for unique hospitality experiences*.
• Buyers are actively seeking sustainable, local, and tech enabled solutions to meet evolving customer expectations**.
A proven platform for growth
With over 200 exhibitors and thousands of attendees each year, The Source trade show is a proven platform for brands looking to expand their reach, launch new products, and build lasting relationships in the hospitality sector.
“We’re proud to celebrate 21 years of supporting South West hospitality,” said Mike Anderson, MD of the show’s organisers, Hale Events. “2026 will be our biggest and most forwardlooking show yet, and we invite businesses across the UK to be part of it.”
Register your interest today
Whether you’d like to visit as a buyer or take part – the team at Hale Events are available to answer your questions.
visit:
www.thesourcetradeshow.co.uk
Follow @sourcefooddrink on Instagram & Facebook Call 01934 733433
(* 42 bleisure travel statistics for 2025 | TravelPerk UK
**UK Hospitality Industry Size, Growth, Trends Report 2025 – 2030 and Leisure and hospitality industry outlook 2025 | RSM UK)
SM&E Week ‘26 Unveils Fresh Look and Exciting New Features
Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW), the UK’s biggest festival of advanced manufacturing and engineering, has unveiled a fresh look and exciting new features for next year’s show, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on 3-4 June 2026 which includes Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls, Design & Engineering Expo, Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit and The Manufacturer Top 100 Awards.
The first change to note is SMW’s brand new logo, the colours and style of which match the forward-thinking and technology driven modern world of engineering and manufacturing, and align with the evolution of the event as a fun and exciting place to visit.
Commenting on SMW’s redesign, Verity Noon, Marketing Director at event organiser, Nineteen Group said: “We wanted a brand that feels as electric as the industry it represents. The bright, neon and modern creative, inspired by our music festival theme, captures the sparks of innovation and energy at the heart of Smart Manufacturing Week. The dynamic design also reflects the pace of change in manufacturing – always evolving and alive with possibility.”
With digital transformation, AI and workforce skills challenges to the fore, this year’s event helps manufacturers tackle change with confidence. From advanced automation and robotics to essential maintenance and asset management, the event delivers both future vision and practical know-how.
WHAT’S NEW FOR SMART MANUFACTURING WEEK 2026?
However, the new logo is far from the only new addition to the SMW experience. SMW 2026 will include a raft of new features and attractions for visitors, delegates and sponsors alike.
2026 will see the introduction of Fight Fest – taking place on the Accu Bots stand, Fight Fest is a new, high-energy competitive element of the show aligned with automation and robotics – a core theme of the event – and located within Drives & Controls. A dynamic blend of sport, engineering and mechanical mayhem will come together to create this gladiatorial robot fighting competition that allows students across the UK to get hands-on experience in engineering. Visitors will be able to battle it out with custom made robots to fight for glory. In addition, there will be professional teams competing live at the show throughout the course of the two days.
Theatres: Additional stages will be located around the main show floor featuring specialised content created around key themes in the sector. Curated by the conference producer and editorial team at The Manufacturer the keynote and panel sessions will draw on years of experience in the sector, and will be delivered by experts. In addition, following the smash success of 2025’s keynote from former F1 boss Guenther Steiner there will be additional showstopper keynotes added to the event in 2026.
The topics covered across the theatres include design, maintenance, supply chain, automation and robotics, IIOT and connectivity, sustainability, industrial data and AI, and leadership and strategy. These are:
• Digital Transformation Solutions Theatre
• AI & Industrial Data Solutions Theatre
• Connected Factory Solutions Theatre
• Design & Product Innovation Solutions Theatre
• Leadership & Strategy Solutions Theatre
• Maintenance Solutions Theatre
• Manufacturers & Engineers of the Future Solutions Theatre
• The Future Stage
In-depth Digital Supplements: SMW is researched and delivered by The Manufacturer, magazine – the voice of the industry. As part of our year-round content programme, we produce a series of in-depth digital supplements aligned with the key themes of the show. Each supplement is packed with how-to guides, best practices, pitfalls to avoid, case studies, application stories, thought leadership and technology showcases — giving manufacturers practical insight they can put into action.
Supplement themes in the run-up to the show include:
Maintenance (already published)
AI (aligned with Smart Factory Expo – November 2025) Robotics & Automation (aligned with Drives & Controls –February 2026)
3D Printing (with the Design and Engineering Expo – May 2026)
THE UK’S LARGEST FESTIVAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING
Whether you’re on the shopfloor or in the boardroom, every role across manufacturing and engineering is catered for at SMW26.
The music festival theme will once again be at the forefront of the overall look and feel at the show, creating an environment and atmosphere for people to be entertained and surprised as well as being able to make connections, find solutions and plan strategies. New features, experiences and music artists will also enhance what has become the Glastonbury of manufacturing and engineering.
before
January.
ProSweets Cologne 2026 gets off to a flying start
ProSweets Cologne 2026, the international trade fair for the confectionery and snack industry, is entering its next round with remarkable momentum. Months before the start of the fair, which will take place from 1 to 4 February 2026 in parallel with ISM in Cologne, the event is already seeing strong demand from exhibitors. This momentum confirms the high relevance of ProSweets as a central platform for innovation, networking and knowledge transfer along the entire supply chain.
Looking back on 2025, the trade fair can point to considerable successes: a 23% increase in visitor numbers, numerous business deals concluded on site and the positive response to new formats underline the attractiveness of the concept. In particular, the close integration with ISM, the world’s largest trade fair for confectionery and snacks, creates synergies that are unique in the industry.
Proven concepts and new ideas
For 2026, ProSweets is focusing on a mix of continuity and innovation. The popular Lab5 by ISM in Hall 10.1 remains an integral part of the programme. The Expert Stage and the Talks & Tasting Stage will once again offer practical insights into current developments and will be expanded to include new topic clusters. A major innovation is the ISM Ingredients area: for the first time, raw materials, ingredients and semi-finished products will have their own format, linking the value chain even more closely.
Wide range of exhibitors confirms confidence
Numerous well-known companies have already confirmed their participation. These include renowned machine and plant manufacturers such as Vemag Maschinenbau, Seydelmann, Hänsel Processing, Wolf Spezialmaschinen, SELMI and Rovema. Leading suppliers are also represented in the packaging segment, including LIVE_TECH, ErgoPack, ULMA Packaging, PAPACKS, FrontPac and Esbe Plastic. This diversity shows that ProSweets is firmly established in the calendar of the international supplier industry.
Focus on future topics
The 2026 trade fair will have a clear thematic focus: sustainability, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, resilient supply chains and food safety will take centre stage. In view of global challenges such as the shortage of raw materials such as sugar and cocoa, and the
transition to sustainable packaging, ProSweets offers the ideal setting for discussing solutions and strategies together.
Meeting place for the international industry
With its clear focus and international orientation, ProSweets Cologne is not just a trade fair, but an industry meeting place of global importance. It brings together manufacturers, suppliers and decision-makers, promotes cooperation and provides impetus for the future. In close partnership with ISM, this creates a unique duo that enables both breadth and depth in the presentation of the confectionery and snack industry.
Conclusion: ProSweets Cologne 2026 promises to set new standards once again – as an innovation platform, networking hub and source of inspiration for a dynamic industry facing major opportunities and challenges.
Sustainability & Environment
Meet the Women of the Alt Food System
Finding Health, Joy and Community in Fighting Big Food
By Nancy Matsumoto
Standing in the middle of a diversified farm like Doubting Thomas Farms in Moorhead, Minnesota is to be immersed in a pulsating web of life. Since being certified organic in 1997, it has produced high-quality organic grains, garden produce, and pasture-raised eggs. In the middle distance, farmer Noreen Thomas points to the bird habitat buffer she is encouraging with a late-August hay cutting, which will provide habitat for ground-nesting meadowlarks.
The bright yellow-bellied birds’ numbers had for years been in steep decline due to loss of habitat and mortality caused by intensive singlecrop farming of corn, soy or sugar beets and the chemical fertilizers and pesticides that mode of farming relies on. Today, the birds’ resurgent presence on the 1,200-acre farm is a sign of ecosystem health.
Thomas is just one of the dozens of women featured in my book, Reaping What She Sows: How Women Are Fixing Our Broken Food System, who are creating an alternative or “alt food system” that is more environmentally friendly, direct, transparent, and equitable than the broken food system run by the global monopolies of Big Food.
Small- and medium-sized farms like Thomas’s are under siege, threatened by ongoing consolidation by global agribusiness, and lack of access to the subsidies, loans, crop insurance schemes, and the efficiencies of scale of industrial farming. Encroaching climate change, global instability, and tariff wars are only accelerating the rate of smalland medium farm closures.
To mobilize grassroots change, I wanted to tell the inspiring stories of the women who are on the front lines of food system change, and show how fundamentally different their way of thinking about, growing, and distributing food is to that of Big Food and Big Agriculture. Instead of Big Ag’s opaque, extractive, and exploitative global supply chains and single-minded focus on profit, the alt food system places equal importance on people, planet, and profit.
Why the focus on women? Because in our post-matriarchal society, men have more access to credit, to loans, and to agricultural education. They are also more likely to be the ones inheriting family farms. Women for the most part have been relegated to the margins and the sidelines. And when change is needed, these are the places—not the conservative center—where change happens first. But the work they are doing is hard, and finding profitability can be even harder.
I met women like Dru Rivers, a founding owner of Full Belly Farm in Northern California’s Capay Valley. When she, her husband Paul Muller and their partners founded it in 1989, they named it Full Belly Farm because Rivers was pregnant. Today the name also signifies the overflowing organic bounty the farm produces: vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs, and flowers, as well as chicken, sheep, goats, and cows. It has achieved the rare feat of supplying 1,200 CSA (community supported agriculture) subscribers with weekly boxes of food—all of it produced
on farm—and becoming a player on the bigger stage of regional grocery stores.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, I met Sonia Strobel, who grew up in this beautiful coastal city whose waters teem with salmon, sturgeon and trout. Yet it’s no wonder that she didn’t like seafood. Ninety percent of local catch is exported, while eighty percent of what is available locally is imported frozen. It wasn’t until she married into a fishing family that she learned how delicious fresh local catch could taste. She also learned how the industrialization and corporatization of the fishing industry had made it harder and harder for small fisherfolk to compete with private equity-owned fishing fleets.
During her maternity leave in 2008, Strobel launched Skipper Otto, a community supported fishery (CSF). Since its founding in 2008, it has gone from a handful of small fishers serving 40 CSF members to today representing 40 fishing families serving 8,000 members across Canada.
Because like many, I find it hard to live without coffee and chocolate, I traveled to Central America to meet the women of Maya Mountain Cacao (MMC) in Belize and the coffee growing cooperative La Asunción in Guatemala. I met the women who managed and built their alt supply chains, Petrona Diane Coy of MMC, and Lisbeth Pacheco of Ethos Roasters in Lakeland Florida.
In order to offer more than the subsistence-level-or-below wages that Big Chocolate and Big Coffee pay, Coy and Pacheco work with small farmers to elevate their growing and harvesting practices and create premium products that will sell well above the commodity price of cocoa and coffee. Their model offers buyers more transparency, and farmers a better quality of life.
One of the biggest benefits of the alt food system is the sense of community and belonging that it confers on both producer and consumer. It’s about coming together, connection, health, and joy in sharing good, nutritious food. My message to readers is that individual actions do matter. They can help fix our broken food system and eat better than they ever have before by looking within their own communities. Once they look for it, they’ll discover the alt food system is all around them.
Nancy Matsumoto (cr Jennifer Rowsom)
Decarbonizing process heat in the food and beverage sector with thermal energy storage: a
path forward for breweries, coffee, and oilseed industries
Across Europe, particularly in countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK, the food and beverage industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon emissions. Ambitious national climate targets, rising energy prices and growing consumer preference for sustainable products are driving manufacturers to shift away from fossil fuels. However, this presents a challenge as most industrial food processes are heat-intensive and still predominantly powered by gas or oil.
Electrification today is not only easy but can be made very costeffective. The key to achieving low energy prices for process heat is thermal energy storage systems (TES) powered by renewable electricity. These systems reliably and efficiently deliver hightemperature heat and provide energy flexibility to industrial users and the broader electricity grid.
By storing energy when electricity prices are low — or even negative due to renewable energy surplus — and using it during periods of high demand, industries can avoid high peak costs, stabilize operations and reduce emissions. This type of load shifting is important in today’s energy landscape as grid congestion and price volatility present obstacles in cleaner grids. Grid congestion in
the Netherlands, for instance, is estimated to cost between €10 and €40 billion per year.
How thermal energy storage (TES) works
The electricity taken from low-price times is transformed to heat, usually by a resistive heater with an efficiency of around 99%. This heat is transferred through the storage material. In Krafblock’s case, a blower blows the heat into the storage. Here, the specifically developed, upcycled material, heats up. The insulated storage container can hold the heat for hours to days and can store as high as 1,300°C. This enables to store a large amount of energy in a small space.
When the energy is needed or around the clock, the storage is discharged: Ambient air is blown into the container and heats up from the Kraftblock material. Then it is transported directly to the customer at the right temperature or a heat exchanger or a steam boiler allows to change the heat carrier to steam, thermal oil, water or inert gases.
This concept is already being implemented by PepsiCo and Eneco in the Netherlands through the Volt Project, replacing a 25 MW gas-fired boiler with Kraftblock’s thermal energy storage. It will decarbonize the frying process for potato chips, cutting over 98% of site emissions and saving thousands of tones of CO₂ annually.
To demonstrate the potential of thermal energy storage for the food industry, it is helpful to examine how this technology could contribute to achieving net zero in sectors such as brewing, coffee production and oilseed processing. These sectors have different heat requirements, ranging from steam-based brewing and hot-air roasting to hot deodorisation.
Breweries: A steam-driven sector ready for electrification
Breweries consume large volumes of energy, particularly as 60–75% of that demand is for process heat which is used in mashing, lautering, wort boiling, pasteurization, and sterilization. In the Netherlands, over 25 million hectoliters of beer are brewed annually.
Heineken, with global production exceeding the U.S., likely has an annual energy demand of roughly 9,700 GWh, possibly lower due to advanced efficiency measures. Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer, produced over 500 million hectoliters in 2023, with a potential demand of up to 19 TWh per year.
This heat is typically supplied by centralized steam networks at 175–195 °C. Direct replacement of these systems with electric steam boilers is technically possible, but not economically viable without load flexibility, due to the volatility of electricity prices.
Thermal storage solutions allow renewable electricity to be stored as high-temperature heat and dispatched as steam exactly when needed. By charging the system when electricity is cheapest, such as during midday solar peaks or overnight wind generation, breweries can significantly reduce their operational costs (OPEX) while reducing CO₂ emissions, and hence, reducing the dependency on fossil fuels.
Coffee: Roasting and drying without carbon emissions
Coffee is the world’s second most consumed beverage after water. Europe is a key hub in both consumption and processing, with the UK alone importing over 140,000 tones of green coffee beans annually.
The most energy-intensive process in coffee production is roasting, which occurs at 150–250 °C using hot air or direct flame. Follow-up steps like spray drying for instant coffee production also demands high temperatures (160–185 °C).
Instead of fossil fuels, roasters can now rely on heat generated from renewable electricity, stored and supplied when needed. For facilities already using indirect hot air roasting systems, the integration is seamless, no overhaul of existing infrastructure is required as systems like Kraftblock can supply heat in many forms and work directly on hot air.
This approach also aligns with life-cycle assessments as roasting and drying are key contributors to coffee’s carbon footprint. Electrifying these processes can help brands meet sustainability targets, appeal to eco-conscious consumers, and reduce energy costs.
Oilseed processing: Tackling solvent removal and odor neutralization
The oilseed industry, which includes the processing of rapeseed, sunflower and soybeans, also benefits from thermal energy storage. Two stages stand out in the heat network of the factories:
Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
Desolventizing: Following oil extraction via solvent methods, heat is applied to evaporate and remove hexane, a volatile compound used in the process. This typically requires steam at 105–120 °C.
Deodorization: A refining step to neutralize odors, performed at temperatures exceeding 200 °C, often using high-pressure steam or thermal oil systems.
Thermal storage systems can deliver controlled heat input for sensitive desolventizing operations, as well as high-grade heat for deodorization. The system allows for load shifting, meaning operators can avoid peak power prices and benefit from surplus renewable energy in the grid.
Moreover, this transition supports compliance with tightening environmental regulations on solvent emissions and carbon intensity — particularly relevant in the Netherlands and UK, where climate policies are rapidly evolving.
The numerous advantages of Kraftblock’s thermal storage solution
Thermal energy storage systems offer numerous benefits for the decarbonisation of industry. They enable load flexibility, allowing manufacturers to use electricity at the cheapest times, such as during periods of high solar or wind generation, thereby significantly reducing energy costs. Designed for system compatibility, the technology can be easily retrofitted into existing steam or airbased heat infrastructure without requiring a complete overhaul of the system. With high thermal output and a modular design, the systems are scalable for medium to large industrial operations. These systems deliver substantial cost savings, particularly in markets with rising carbon prices, by reducing operational expenditure (OPEX) compared to fossil fuel-powered boilers. Most importantly, they enable near-zero emissions when powered by renewable electricity. From a regulatory perspective, this approach aligns with major European policy incentives and is specifically mentioned in the upcoming Industrial Decarbonization Bank.
Whether it’s a brewery, a coffee roaster, or an oilseed refinery, one thing is clear: the transition away from fossil-based heat is not only necessary, but also technically feasible and economically attractive. With technologies like Kraftblock’s thermal energy storage, manufacturers can preserve the integrity of their processes while unlocking energy savings and achieving climate goals.
In the Netherlands the project with Eneco and PepsiCo to decarbonize a snack plant with Kraftblock’s thermal energy storage system. This
AI Transforming Food & Beverage: 2025 Trends and 2026 Outlook
Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from a futuristic concept to a practical tool transforming the food and beverage (F&B) industry. Across every stage of the value chain – from production and packaging to distribution and consumer engagement – AI is reshaping how businesses operate.
The technology is helping manufacturers cut waste, improve traceability, enhance safety standards, and respond more quickly to market demands. With the global AI in F&B market already worth billions and expanding at a double-digit pace, 2025 marks a turning point where adoption is no longer optional but a competitive necessity.
This article explores how AI is influencing food safety and packaging today, the opportunities and challenges for businesses in the UK and beyond, and what the sector can expect as we move into 2026.
AI-Powered Food Safety and Quality Control
Ensuring food safety and consistent quality is a top priority for industry stakeholders and regulators. In 2025, AI is a gamechanger in this area, thanks to its ability to detect risks and defects faster and more accurately than traditional methods. Computer vision systems equipped with machine learning are now inspecting products on production lines to catch even tiny defects or contaminants that the human eye might miss. This not only prevents substandard or unsafe products from reaching consumers but also reduces waste and the costly risk of recalls. For example, Mondelez International uses AI-driven visual inspection to spot imperfections like cracks or coating bubbles in chocolates, allowing real-time adjustments on the line. By improving inspection accuracy, Mondelez achieved more efficient production with less wastage, safeguarding both consumers and the brand’s reputation.
AI’s role in food safety extends beyond visual checks. Smart sensors and IoT integration allow continuous monitoring of environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) during food processing and distribution, with AI analysing this data
to ensure safety is maintained throughout the supply chain. Machine learning models are also being applied to predict food spoilage and shelf-life more accurately by analysing production and storage data – helping companies rotate stock and reduce food waste while guaranteeing freshness. Such predictive analytics mean potential issues are caught before they become crises.
To maintain strict compliance with food safety regulations, companies are also deploying AI for automated regulatory compliance and traceability. Combining AI with blockchain is emerging as a powerful approach for “farm-to-fork” traceability: immutable blockchain records of a food’s origin and handling are augmented by AI analytics to quickly identify contamination sources and authenticate products. IBM’s Food Trust platform, for example, leverages blockchain and AI to trace food ingredients through the supply chain, helping retailers and manufacturers pinpoint issues in seconds rather than days.
UK regulators are also exploring AI to improve food safety oversight. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently piloted an AI system to support hygiene inspections by predicting which restaurants or food businesses are at higher risk of violating hygiene rules. In frontline meat inspections, the FSA has also introduced generative AI tools: inspectors are testing a mobile app that uses AI to transcribe and standardise inspection notes, improving data quality and consistency. Moreover, the FSA employs traditional AI for pattern detection in vast datasets (from shipping manifests to web data) to spot food safety or authenticity risks before products enter the country. These initiatives demonstrate a broader trend of using AI to support regulatory compliance and proactive risk management in food safety.
AI in Packaging and Supply Chain Efficiency
Packaging is another critical front where AI is making waves in 2025, with implications for both operational efficiency and sustainability. AI-driven automation in packaging lines is helping manufacturers address labour shortages and speed up production. Smart robotic systems guided by AI can handle repetitive packaging, sorting, and labelling tasks with greater precision and speed than human workers. The result is higher throughput and fewer errors – for example, AI vision systems can automatically detect packaging defects such as seal leaks, mislabels or damaged containers and reject or re-route them for correction.
Beyond the factory floor, AI is aiding in the design of more sustainable packaging. A notable 2025 development is the use of generative AI to invent eco-friendly packaging materials. In a pioneering collaboration, Nestlé partnered with IBM Research to develop an AI tool that can propose novel packaging materials with high barrier properties while potentially being recyclable or biodegradable. Impressively, the AI can shave down material R&D times from years to days, vastly accelerating innovation. This case exemplifies how AI is driving packaging innovation: by 2025, such tools are helping brands create packaging that not only keeps food safe and fresh, but also improves environmental footprint – a key concern for regulators and consumers alike.
AI also contributes to sustainability through better waste management and recycling of packaging. Packaging experts predict that by 2025 flexible packaging materials will be designed for easier separation and identification, and advanced optical sorting machines using AI will more accurately sort packaging waste for recycling. By improving recycling rates, AI helps manufacturers close the loop on packaging and meet new regulations aimed at reducing plastic waste.
Crucially, AI in the supply chain complements these packaging improvements by optimising inventory and logistics. As the F&B industry grapples with demand volatility and a mandate to cut food waste, AI-driven forecasting has become invaluable. For instance, PepsiCo uses AI to analyse consumer purchasing behaviour alongside weather patterns to fine-tune its production schedules. Better predictions also allow just-in-time inventory for ingredients and packaging materials, reducing waste from expired raw materials. Logistics benefit too – optimised routing and shipment scheduling mean finished goods move to retailers more efficiently, cutting transportation costs and emissions.
Product Innovation and Personalisation with AI AI is not only improving back-end processes but also enabling innovation in products and services. In 2025, F&B companies are using AI to develop new recipes, flavour profiles, and personalised nutrition solutions. Coca-Cola, for example, mined data from its AI-powered Freestyle vending machines to identify a popular flavour mix that led to the launch of Cherry Sprite. Similarly, other brands are using AI to simulate how tweaking ingredients might affect taste and texture, accelerating R&D.
Personalised nutrition startups are another trend, where AI tailors recommendations to individual dietary needs. Restaurants are even experimenting with AI-driven menu systems that dynamically adjust pricing or suggest meals based on customer preferences.
Integrity, Compliance and the Regulatory Landscape
As AI becomes ingrained in F&B operations, ensuring integrity and compliance is paramount. In the UK, food safety regulations still require that any AI systems used do not compromise the rigour of hygiene and safety checks. Encouragingly, we see AI being used to strengthen compliance: AI systems can automatically verify HACCP checkpoints or alert managers if a critical control falls out of spec. Automated record-keeping by AI reduces human error in compliance documentation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Regulators themselves are adapting. The European Union is introducing new requirements by 2026, such as the Digital Product Passport as part of its sustainability and circular economy initiatives. Likewise, in the United States, the FDA’s new Food Traceability Rule takes effect in January 2026, requiring techenabled tracking of certain foods. Globally, these regulatory trends signal that transparency and data-driven oversight will only increase.
At the same time, governance of AI itself is a focus. In the UK, the government’s AI Regulation White Paper outlines principles like safety, fairness, and accountability. Food companies implementing AI systems should incorporate these principles – for instance, ensuring algorithms that might affect product safety are thoroughly tested and having human oversight over critical decisions like recalls.
Outlook for 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, AI is poised to become even more deeply embedded in the food and beverage industry. Analysts project the global AI in F&B market to roughly double in the next couple of years, reaching around $12–13 billion by 2026. Growth at this pace suggests that what is cutting-edge today will be commonplace by next year.
We can expect broader adoption of AI across mid-sized and smaller food companies, more 24/7 monitoring systems, roboticsas-a-service in packaging, and wider rollout of intelligent packaging. Sustainability pressures will also drive AI adoption, especially in areas like waste reduction, recyclable packaging, and circular economy practices.
On the regulatory front, by 2026 governments and industry bodies may issue clearer guidance or even standards for AI in critical areas like food safety. The anticipated EU AI Act could classify certain uses of AI and impose requirements such as transparency to users.
In summary, 2026 is set to build on the foundations laid in 2025. We anticipate safer food, smarter packaging, and more efficient supply chains as AI tools become standard. Companies that invest in AI – while also investing in governance and employee training –will be well-positioned to lead in a competitive market that values both innovation and integrity.
References
Grand View Research – AI in Food & Beverages Market Size 2023 and CAGR Forecast: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/ai-in-food-beverage-market
Optimum PPS (Paul Stewart, Mar 2025) – AI Transformations in the Food & Beverage Industry 2025: https://www.optimumpps.co.uk/ai-food-beverage-2025
BCC Research (Amrita Kumari, Sep 2025) – How AI is Transforming Food Safety & Quality Control in 2025: https://www.bccresearch.com/partners/ai-food-safety-2025
Food Standards Agency (UK) – Case Study: AI Proof-of-Concept for Food Hygiene Inspections: https://www.food.gov.uk/research/ai-in-food-hygiene
PublicTechnology.net (Sam Trendall, Feb 2025) – FSA brings AI to meat inspection: https:// www.publictechnology.net/2025/02/14/fsa-ai-meat-inspections
AI Business (Aug 2025) – Nestlé & IBM Generative AI for Sustainable Packaging: https:// aibusiness.com/nestle-ibm-generative-ai-packaging
Cognex – AI Inspection Transforming Packaging: https://www.cognex.com/blog/aipackaging-inspection
BlueWeave Consulting – AI in F&B Market to Reach $12.58B by 2026: https://www. blueweaveconsulting.com/report/ai-in-food-and-beverage-market
Atlantic Technologies (Aug 2025) – Generative AI in F&B and EU Digital Product Passport 2026: https://www.atlantic-technologies.com/blog/ai-food-eu-digital-passport Accio “Food Trends 2026” (May 2025): https://www.accioglobal.com/food-trends-2026
Diversey’s New Fully Compliant ‘No Rinse’ Disinfectant Reduces Cleaning Process, Production Downtime, and Environmental Impact
Diversey (A Solenis Company) the leading global hygiene and cleaning company, has developed Divosan Protect, an innovative new ‘no rinse’ disinfectant solution that helps optimize cleaning in the food processing industry.
Divosan Protect’s unique formula, containing sustainable plantbased materials, is designed to meet the specific demands of the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry. It removes the postdisinfection rinsing step to reduce cleaning time and production downtime.
With EU-wide Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) compliance, Divosan Protect is very effective against a range of microorganisms including bactericidal, virucidal (enveloped viruses), and yeast.
Delivers Significant Savings Safely Without Traditional Biocide Risks
Diversey’s Divosan Protect contains plant-based ingredients from renewable sources that are readily biodegradable and decomposed by natural processes. It is suitable for cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in F&B without leaving a film, and can be used with standard pressure, wall mounted foaming systems to deliver results you can rely on.
New Divosan Protect provides peace of mind, removing the requirement for a final rinse, without the risk of chemical residues and by-products associated with traditional biocides based on QACs, Hypochlorite or Alkylamines. Beyond initial rinse water savings, its rinse-free process also reduces the environmental impact on wastewater streams.
Reduces Your Cleaning Window For Enhanced Efficiency
Fabrizio Tardioli – Associate Director, Global Sector
Marketing - Processed Food at Diversey - states:
“New Divosan Protect is another innovative addition to our growing ‘no rinse’ disinfectant portfolio. Its formulation benefits businesses as they look to satisfy increasingly tough environmental and sustainability goals. Divosan Protect reduces the cleaning window, with no compromise on your existing high-quality food safety standards. It can be seamlessly integrated into your cleaning protocols with the minimum of extra expenditure, or disruption.”
Divosan Protect provides superior disinfection in less time. It provides excellent spreading effect, without the excessive foaming associated with other disinfectants to deliver the right environmental cleaning of contact surfaces with proven efficacy.
Remain Competitive, Reduce Costs and Unlock Potential Production Capacity
Using Divosan Protect can help contribute to time, water and chemical savings, while delivering operational efficiency gains which can translate into reduced operating costs - depending upon your circumstances and production strategy.
Tardioli concludes: “Our customers look to us for innovative solutions that respond to their day-to-day concerns. The challenges of resource scarcity, higher costs, supply chain issues, and narrow margins are constant. New Divosan Protect provides an innovative alternative, where simply replacing a disinfectant and removing a rinse unlocks benefits. In combination with Diversey’s unrivalled solutions portfolio, this can help contribute to business resilience.”
Diversey - Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today
For more information about New Divosan Protect please visit: www.solenis.com/en/products-and-services/food-and-beverage-production/open-plant-cleaning/divosan-dew/
Central Hygiene BESPOKE ENGINEERING
AT ITS FINEST
We have utilised over 30 years experience in the industrial cleaning sector to design and manufacture high performing cleaning equipment. Combine this with ease of use and British manufacturing and our cleaning apparatus is among the best available.
We believe in building products that find solutions to existing cleaning problems, improve ease of use and longevity of product life. Our commitment to quality has lead us to create the CHESS range of equipment which is fully interchangeable and is designed with you in mind. Parts can be integrated together to create a solution that is unique to your requirements.
Why Central Hygiene?
• Established for over 30 years
• Our expert engineers design all products in-house and fully test them before adding our seal of approval for sale.
• The highest quality British manufacturing means your products have a much longer life than inferior imported equivalents.
• We continually evaluate, add, and develop our products so you can be totally satisfied that by using Central Hygiene, you are buying the best on the market.
Innovative approach developed by NPL and Xampla to validate plastic-free claims and tackle plastic pollution
In a major step forward for sustainable packaging, Xampla and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have developed a pioneering test to validate the company’s claim that its Morro™ materials – made from natural plant polymers - are plastic-free and SUPD-exempt. The breakthrough provides packaging manufacturers with credible assurance that Xampla’s Morro materials meet tightening UK and EU regulations on single-use plastics, while also establishing the foundation for a first-of-its-kind validation method for plastic-free claims.
There is currently no universally accepted method for verifying that a material is plastic-free, despite increasing regulatory pressure to eliminate single-use plastics. With businesses from global packaging manufacturers to local takeaway outlets urgently seeking alternatives that offer the same functionality as plastic but without the environmental harm, Xampla partnered with NPL through its Measurement for Business (M4B) programme to develop a way of verifying plastic-free claims.
The EU’s REACH regulation defines plastics as “polymers to which additives or other substances have been added” and highlights that natural polymers which have not been chemically modified are not plastics. NPL scientists used advanced spectroscopy and highresolution microscopy to compare the chemical and physical signatures of Morro’s natural polymers before and after processing. The results showed no meaningful chemical changes, confirming that Xampla’s Morro materials are not chemically modified, are therefore not plastic according to the EU REACH definition, and are SUPD-exempt.
Many consumers are unaware that common household paper and cardboard packaging often contains a thin plastic coating, making it unrecyclable and destined for landfill. Xampla’s Morro™ line of coatings and films, already adopted by organisations such as Just Eat Takeaway, offer comparable grease and water resistance to plastic but are made only from natural polymers derived from plants. These Morro materials are biodegradable, home compostable, and compatible with existing recycling infrastructure - and critically, are designed to be plastic-free.
Dr Marc Rodriguez Garcia, CoFounder and CTO, Xampla said:
“Given the rapid pace of regulatory change, packaging companies desperately need credible assurance about any plastic-free product they buy. We hope this approach — the first of its kind as far as we know — can now be replicated by others to support plastic-free innovation more broadly. For Xampla, this work with
NPL conclusively proves that our Morro materials are plastic-free at a chemical level and so meet existing regulations. Having the data from world-leading independent measurement scientists lets us alleviate doubts of even the most cautious customers.”
The validation has already helped Xampla secure new contracts and opens the door to a high-value market. According to Smithers, the market for functional and barrier coatings for paper and board is projected to reach 4.25 million tonnes, worth nearly $11 billion, by 2028. Xampla aims to replace 10 billion items of single-use plastic with its Morro materials over the next five years.
Professor Max Ryadnov, NPL Fellow, said: “Eventually, this work could lead to the development of standards to support plasticfree materials and processes used to manufacture them. Such standards will provide manufacturers and regulators with clear and internationally recognised benchmarks against which plasticfree claims can be verified.”
Read the full case study visit https://www.npl.co.uk/cmsctx/pv/aa9f95c8-f50e-4434-aa39-107a1543f97e/ culture/en-GB/wg/b725a223-d02c-4418-b3e0-ccdaaefe7570/h/5093a4fc937f 77b1dfedf4ec7f8ebac6967aab3547d3186906fe3039c66aa93b/-/case-studies/ proving-that-xamplas-paper-coatings-are-plastic-free?uh=527cb632dd1fec2c7 45885676cf2b06823687fa3ed47a73a6133b5f47827a759
Little Town Dairy adds shrink wrapper to their big renovation project
A new automated shrink wrapping line has become the latest addition to a thorough renovation of Little Town Dairy in Lancashire.
The new servo-driven side-feed dairy shrink wrapping system was supplied by Yorkshire Packaging Systems (YPS) to ensure that the packaging of Little Town Dairy’s products could keep pace with their other new automated equipment.
“We’ve recently invested in robot milkers, filling lines and automated pallet wrapping, all to keep up with growing demand for our products and to stay up to date with current manufacturing best practice,” explained Alison Moulding, Director at Little Town Dairy.
Little Town Dairy was established in the 1960s, originally focussing on the supply of milk. While the dairy has remained a family business and is still managed by three generations of its founding family, they have diversified into other milk-based products during their six decades in operation.
The new shrink wrapper is dedicated to the wrapping of trays of yoghurts. The selected machine specification was recommended by the YPS Team for a number of clear reasons:
• Being servo-driven, the shrink wrapper is fast, able to match the high output of the dairy’s new filling lines.
• A side feed shrink wrapper allows for a controlled positive motion at the infeed, pushing the products into the wrapper and keeping the yoghurt pots stable while they are moving.
• The packaging system is highly flexible, able to handle different sized pack collations with no change parts, for fast changeovers between different product types.
• The special dairy specification to IP65 rating includes a stainless steel body and low voltage electrics, designed to withstand the thorough washdowns required to maintain a hygienic production environment.
“YPS’ Engineering Team have been supporting our previous shrink wrapping line even though it was originally supplied by a different company. They’ve also been supplying us with packaging materials,” said Alison
“From this experience, we knew that YPS would not only supply equipment that was ideal for our requirements but also give us excellent support both during installation and in our ongoing use of our new system,” she concluded.
Unlocking value beyond logistics by utilising secondary packaging as a marketing tool
Once just “the box around the bottles,” drinks packaging has grown up. Rising costs, tougher sustainability rules, and retailer demands mean corrugated packaging can’t just move cans from A to B. It has to work harder, and the smartest brands are turning secondary packaging into a marketing asset.
Flexible, recyclable, and endlessly adaptable, corrugated is stepping out of the warehouse and onto the shelf as a tool for visibility, shopper navigation, and efficiency. From speeding up production lines or helping to improve OEE in the factory to doubling as in-store displays, packaging is no longer just a protective shell, it’s part of the brand experience.
Shelf-ready packaging as a marketing platform
Shelf-ready packaging (SRP) has long been valued for the operational savings it delivers to retailers. By allowing cases to be quickly transformed from transport boxes into display units, SRP reduces the time and labour needed to replenish shelves. For drinks brands, however, the real opportunity lies in how SRP doubles as a marketing platform.
Well-designed SRP can provide consistent brand blocking across fixtures, highlight key product attributes, and make products easier for shoppers to find. In categories such as beer, cider, and soft drinks, where promotions, multipacks, and seasonal SKUs compete for limited shelf space, the difference between a product that is neatly displayed in a branded tray and one hidden in a brown case can directly impact sales.
Machine-erect SRP formats are a particularly powerful evolution. Designed to run at high speed on automated packing lines, these solutions combine efficiency with marketing impact. Their structural strength allows for bold cut-outs and perforations that reveal the product, while precision in manufacturing ensures the printed branding aligns exactly with what consumers see on shelf.
For retailers under pressure to reduce costs, and for brands keen to stand out, SRP is proving that packaging can serve both the back-of-store and the consumer-facing side of the supply chain.
Balancing sustainability, efficiency, and consumer appeal
One of the biggest challenges facing drinks producers today is balancing three sometimes competing priorities: reducing environmental impact, maintaining cost efficiency, and meeting consumer expectations for strong, recognisable branding.
Packaging is often where these tensions are felt most acutely. Lightweighting board grades can cut CO₂ emissions and reduce costs, but if the result is weaker packs that collapse in storage or transit, product damage erodes any gains. Similarly, adopting mono-material designs improves recyclability but requires rethinking how aesthetics and branding are delivered.
The solution lies in design flexibility. By using advanced CAD systems and performance modelling tools, packaging designers can assess how each structure will behave under pressure, while still leaving room for creative marketing elements. Strategic use of recycled and virgin board combinations allows performance to be maintained without excess material use. Meanwhile, advances in colour management mean vibrant, brand-consistent designs can be achieved on more sustainable substrates without compromise.
Drinks producers should not think of sustainability as limiting what packaging can achieve but as an opportunity to rethink assumptions. Recyclability and performance can be built into the design process, creating solutions that are lighter, stronger, and visually more impactful all at once.
Cutting complexity
The drinks sector is famous for SKU overload. Multipacks, seasonal promos, retailer-specific formats, and endless flavour or ABV variations often leave supply chains managing a jungle of packaging specs. Each extra SKU adds cost, complexity, and risk of fulfilment errors.
Corrugated packaging provides a way to simplify without sacrificing shelf impact. Modular case designs let a single structure serve multiple SKUs, with only internal fittings or artwork adjusted. This reduces packaging SKUs, streamlines procurement, and makes warehouse management more efficient.
Mono-material solutions take simplification further, replacing mixed substrates with fully recyclable board. Even premium spirits and gifting packs, once reliant on complex materials, are showing that corrugated can deliver standout aesthetics while remaining recyclable and easy to handle.
For drinks producers, fewer SKUs mean faster line changeovers, fewer errors in logistics, and products that reach retail in better condition. Consistent branding across streamlined pack types also strengthens recognition and loyalty on the shelf.
Collaboration as the key to success
Unlocking these benefits is rarely a task for packaging designers alone. It requires collaboration across multiple functions, operations, procurement, sustainability, and marketing, to ensure that the final design delivers value in efficiency, sustainability, and brand impact. The most effective packaging projects are those where logistical realities and brand aspirations are considered side by side from the outset.
Frameworks like VPK’s Eight-Step Solution Cycle are designed to facilitate exactly this kind of process, combining discovery, design, prototyping, and optimisation into a structured workflow. By bringing technical specialists and brand teams together, projects move beyond aesthetics or cost alone and into solutions that perform at every touchpoint of the supply chain.
This joined-up thinking is increasingly vital as retailers tighten their requirements, regulators set tougher standards, and consumers demand both convenience and sustainability. Packaging can no longer be developed in silos. It must be engineered as part of a broader operational and marketing strategy.
From box to brand asset
Ultimately, corrugated packaging is proving itself to be much more than a container. It is becoming a marketing tool in its own right, one that can reduce costs, support sustainability goals, and strengthen the connection between brands and consumers.
For drinks producers, the question is no longer whether packaging can support their business objectives. It is how quickly they can unlock its full potential.
Article supplied by Adam Platts, Sales and Marketing Director, VPK Packaging UK & Ireland
Proof in the Pudding: £117k Electricity Savings for Dessert Maker
A leading UK producer of dairy desserts has cut its electricity costs by £117,000 a year after upgrading its compressed air system with Atlas Copco’s latest oil-free compressor technology. The investment has also reduced carbon emissions, safeguarded production capacity, and ensured compliance with air quality standards for food production.
A challenge to reliability
The manufacturer, best known for its custard and rice pudding products, had been relying on older compressors that were running continuously without backup. Any breakdown risked an immediate 30 per cent loss in production capacity, which would force the company to hire temporary rental compressors to keep pace with demand.
Compounding the issue, the site’s existing dryer was undersized, operating at only three-quarters of the required capacity. As a result, it only just met compliance with the necessary dew point levels, increasing the risk of moisture and bacterial contamination within the compressed air system. The dated pipework added further inefficiencies through leaks, while the overall installation was unable to meet the expanding production requirements of the site.
Identifying the right solution
Atlas Copco began by logging the plant’s compressed air usage during full operation. This audit revealed that larger capacity compressors were essential to reliably meet demand. An AIRScan diagnostic assessment was followed by a full Site Acceptance Test
(SAT) conducted by an external independent consultancy after installation. This validated both the performance of the new system and its ability to deliver air purity to ISO 8573-1 Class 1:2:0 – meeting standards for particles, oil and water contamination.
The audit projected energy savings of £117,000 per year in electricity costs, with additional reductions from heat recovery systems bringing the payback period to just 3.5 years. The site also stood to save more than 1,300 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
New generation oil-free technology
To address the challenge, the dairy manufacturer invested in three Atlas Copco ZR 160 VSD+ FF compressors, each featuring an iMDG integrated rotary drum adsorption dryer. The ZR range is engineered for industries where air purity is critical, delivering 100 per cent oil-free compressed air and certified to ISO 8573-1 Class 0 – the highest standard of air quality.
Variable Speed Drive (VSD+) technology enables the compressors to automatically adjust motor speed in line with fluctuating demand, achieving energy savings of up to 35 per cent. Meanwhile, the iMDG dryers consistently provide a pressure dew point as low as -63°C,
Processing & Technology
ensuring compliance with food industry requirements, and verified in real time via Atlas Copco’s SMARTLINK monitoring system.
The installation also incorporated an Optimizer 4.0 central management system to ensure the most efficient load-sharing between compressors, as well as a Gateway 4.0 system that connects directly with the customer’s Building Management System. This allows plant operators to monitor compressor performance remotely and align the facility with Industry 4.0 standards.
In addition, the ER650 stand-alone energy recovery unit supplied by Atlas Copco harnesses the heat generated during air compression to allow the customer to re-purpose the wasted heat into other processes such as boiler pre-feed and wash down water at up to 85°C, and other indirect heat source requirements, offsetting energy costs elsewhere in production.
Proven results
The impact of the upgrade has been immediate. The customer reports far greater confidence in air quality, with no risk of oil contamination in its dessert lines. Dew point levels are consistently maintained, eliminating the previous vulnerability caused by undersized drying equipment. Furthermore, they have improved production output.
From a business perspective, the efficiency gains have driven down operating costs, delivering projected annual savings in excess of £200,000 and reducing the site’s carbon footprint. The new installation also provides built-in redundancy, ensuring 24/7 compliant compressed air generation and eliminating any risk to production compressed air supply.
Partnering for the future
Reflecting on the success of the project, John Brennand, National Oil Free Sales Manager at Atlas Copco, said: “Food and beverage producers need absolute confidence that their compressed air systems won’t compromise product quality. But there is a risk of product contamination with any oil injected compressor system. You won’t know there’s oil in your end product unless you have a genuine oil-free compressor. With the ZR range, this manufacturer has complete peace of mind about ensuring Class 0 oil content from the compressor, alongside significant savings in energy and emissions.”
By modernising its compressed air system with Atlas Copco’s oil-free technology, the dairy desserts maker has not only safeguarded production and compliance but also strengthened its sustainability performance. The investment provides a foundation for further growth while ensuring that the company’s much-loved desserts continue to meet the highest quality and safety standards.
Find out more about oil-free compressor technology by visiting: https://www.atlascopco.com/en-uk/compressors/ news-and-stories/117k-electricity-savings-for-dessertmaker?utm_campaign=GB10%20-%20Oil-Free%20Medium%20 Pressure&utm_source=PR&utm_medium=case%20study
Processing & Technology
Driving efficiency in the beverage industry
As the drink manufacturing and bottling industries evolve with growing demand for speed, hygiene, and precision, equipment manufacturers are under increasing pressure to deliver streamlined, efficient, and intelligent solutions. Regal Rexnord™ stands at the forefront of this transformation, offering a comprehensive portfolio of trusted brands designed to meet the diverse challenges of modern production lines.
From gear motors and conveyors to precision motion control and braking systems, Regal Rexnord’s integrated suite of products delivers unparalleled performance, reliability, and ease of integration, making it the go-to partner for OEMs and plant engineers seeking a tailored solution. From single components to fully integrated powertrain solutions, Regal Rexnord can deliver new solutions as well as reduce the complexity of existing infrastructure.
Power and performance
At the heart of many high-performance conveyor systems found in bottling lines are Bauer Gear Motor™ solutions. These compact, efficient gear motors are known for their durability and resistance to harsh washdown environments, a critical requirement in beverage processing. Boston Gear™ complements this offering with robust enclosed gear drives and motion control components, ensuring smooth, dependable operation throughout the plant.
Smart automation
Kollmorgen™ direct drive and washdown-ready servo motion systems enable ultra-fast bottling and capping with pinpoint accuracy and minimal waste. By eliminating mechanical backlash and enabling real-time adjustments, Kollmorgen technology ensures consistent fill levels, reduces product giveaway, and keeps manufacturers compliant with labelling regulations. And with stainless steel and anodized aluminium motors built for rapid, thorough washdown, lines stay clean, safe, and productive. Kollmorgen’s servo motors and drives are also ideal for robotic arms performing repetitive tasks such as case packaging and shrink wrapping, boosting throughput and reducing human error.
Bearing the load
In high-speed bottling operations, dependable bearing systems are essential. Sealmaster™ bearings provide superior sealing and corrosion resistance, extending service life in wet or acidic environments often found in drinks production. For linear motion applications, precision linear actuators and guides from Thomson™ ensure accurate, repeatable movement, helping manufacturers achieve consistent fill levels and label alignment.
Stopping power
Safety and control are paramount in bottling lines, particularly where frequent start-stop cycles are required. Regal Rexnord’s advanced brake systems, including electromagnetic clutches and brakes, offer fast response times and minimal maintenance. These systems are integral to conveyor indexing, cap placement, and labeling processes, helping maintain productivity while safeguarding both equipment and personnel.
The Regal Rexnord advantage
By leveraging the full family of Regal Rexnord brands, OEMs and end users can simplify their procurement, logistics, and maintenance processes. Instead of sourcing from multiple vendors, equipment manufacturers can work with one trusted supplier for mechanical power transmission, motion control, and automation needs. This not only streamlines system design and integration but also ensures component compatibility and coordinated support throughout the product lifecycle.
Whether building a new bottling line or upgrading existing equipment, Regal Rexnord delivers complete, factory-optimized powertrain solutions tailored to the unique demands of the beverage industry. From the first gear motor to the final robotic palletizer, every component is backed by engineering expertise, global support, and a commitment to keeping your line moving.
Regal Rexnord: Powering the future of beverage manufacturing.
High-speed production lines require dependable driveline components for reliable manufacturing output.
Regal Rexnord’s brand portfolio includes Bauer Gear Motor, which offers specialized hygienic drives for hygienic applications.
Used Machinery and the Circular Economy
In today’s pursuit of sustainability in production and processing, the reuse and recycling of machinery is often overlooked in favour of new technology. Here, Industrial Auctions explains how the market for used machinery is a crucial part of the circular economy.
The manufacturing and processing sectors are undergoing a transformation, driven by trends such as generative AI, smart robots and an AI-driven culture. These developments offer opportunities for more sustainable production processes, where efficiency and environmental friendliness go hand in hand. Generative AI optimises designs, enabling more efficient use of materials and less waste. Smart robots work closely with humans, increasing productivity and reducing energy consumption.
Companies that demonstrate that their processes are sustainable achieve not only environmental gains, but also competitive advantage and long-term cost savings. Online auctioneer Industrial Auctions organises auctions for used machinery and equipment in the food and beverage industry. Besides food and beverage processing machines, they also auction liquid and products pumps, packaging robots and machines, weighing and transport systems, tanks and silos and much more. By facilitating machinery auctions, Industrial Auctions contributes to the circular economy and helps companies reduce their carbon footprint.
The reuse of existing equipment reduces the need for new production, resulting in less raw material use and energy consumption. Moreover, it allows companies to invest in high-quality equipment in a cost-efficient way, without the environmental impact of newly produced machinery.
Through this approach, Industrial Auctions supports companies in the manufacturing and processing sectors in achieving their sustainability goals and responding to the growing demand for environmentally friendly and technologically advanced production processes.
View the current offer on the auctioneer’s website: www.Industrial-Auctions.com.
Food and Drink Network UK at the PPMA Show
Food and Drink Network UK was delighted to attend this year’s PPMA Show, one of the UK’s leading events for processing and packaging machinery, robotics, and automation. The exhibition once again proved to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with the industry, catch up with familiar faces, and introduce our magazine to new readers.
As ever, the show floor was buzzing with innovation, energy, and expertise. With hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies and solutions, the PPMA Show offered a clear insight into the future of manufacturing and packaging across the food and drink sector. It was inspiring to see how much creativity and progress is driving the industry forward, with efficiency, sustainability, and automation at the heart of many discussions.
For us, the highlight of the event was the chance to meet both long-standing supporters of Food and Drink Network UK and new businesses keen to discover what we do. Our stand was a busy hub throughout the exhibition, with many visitors stopping by to pick up the latest copy of the magazine. It was a pleasure to hand out copies in person and hear how valued our publication is by professionals across the industry.
Meeting our existing customers at the show was a reminder of the strong relationships that have been built over the years. These are connections that have grown alongside the magazine itself, and it was encouraging to hear directly how our coverage continues to support businesses in raising their profile, sharing their stories, and keeping up to date with industry developments.
Equally rewarding was welcoming new faces. For many visitors, this was their first introduction to Food and Drink Network UK, and we enjoyed explaining the unique role our magazine plays in connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers across the sector. The positive feedback we received reinforced the importance of having a dedicated platform that champions the food and drink industry and provides advertisers with a targeted and engaged readership.
Attending the PPMA Show also allowed us to gain first-hand insights into emerging trends that will no doubt influence upcoming editions of the magazine. From sustainable packaging solutions to advanced robotics, the innovations on display provided plenty of inspiration for future features and industry discussions within our pages.
Overall, the show was a great success for Food and Drink Network UK. We are grateful to everyone who stopped by our stand, collected a magazine, and took the time to chat with us. Whether reconnecting with loyal customers or meeting new partners for the first time, the PPMA Show highlighted the strength and vitality of this ever-evolving sector. We look forward to building on these connections and continuing to serve the industry in the months ahead.
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