Image: WPO
Think globally, act locally: a conversation with Nerida Kelton, WPO
02/12/2024
The biggest challenge for packaging technology is to find a balance between functionality, economic aspects, consumer requirements and environmental criteria. "Inappropriate packaging is one of the main causes of food waste and is responsible for negative environmental impacts", explains Nerida Kelton, World Packaging Organisation (WPO).
Image: Sesotec GmbH
Foreign object detection and food safety – in search of the blue glove
19/11/2024
Sometimes large quantities of edible food are disposed of for safety reasons, even though only a single product may be contaminated. To avoid this, manufacturers rely on detection systems that recognise foreign objects. Systems specialist Sesotec recommends combinations of sieves, magnets, metal detectors and X-ray systems for this purpose, and thus contributes to the reduction of food waste.
Image: PAXLY GmbH
A perfect match – algorithm shows manufacturers the most efficient packaging solution
15/11/2024
Demand for greater efficiency and sustainability in the supply chain always entails the issue of ideal solutions for space-saving packaging. The packaging specialist paxly.ai provides a powerful software tool that compares the extensive requirements of a company in need of packaging with the performance data of packaging producers. If there is a match, the seekers and providers come together.
Image: Woodly Oy
Woodly – made of wood, looks like plastic
23/09/2024
Wood-based substitute material for plastic offers the food industry new sustainable options. Finnish start-up and SAVE FOOD member Woodly supplies wood cellulose polymers for various packaging solutions and products such as reusable cups. The carbon-neutral material is particularly useful in ensuring that bread is hygienically packaged while staying fresh for a long time and looking appetising.
Image: iStock
Artificial intelligence for more process quality
23/08/2024
Artificial intelligence (AI) will play an important part in the future in optimising processes within the food industry. It can lengthen the shelf life of food by allowing precise control of temperature and humidity, for example. AI analyses huge amounts of data in real time in order to guarantee optimum recipes and storage conditions and minimise spoiling.
Image: BASF
What are the environmental impacts of alternative raw materials?
12/09/2023
In mass balancing, chemically recycled or bio-based raw materials are input at the very beginning of plastics production and then computationally assigned to the end products. Using the example of flexible mozzarella packaging, a study investigated whether and how this procedure influences the life-cycle assessment of packaging produced from these raw materials.
Is automation the end-all and be-all? (Image: Rock'n Roll Monkey/unsplash)
Where does automation help in packaging?
10/03/2023
Trend topic or permanent issue? Everybody is talking about automation. However, switching to fully automated packaging solutions is anything but a guarantee for success. Small and medium sized companies should consider several things before investing in large machinery.
Image: AdobeStock
Less material needed to produce sealing films
21/07/2022
Films are an important part of packaging: They provide an impenetrable barrier between the product and the environment. That said, industrial handling of such sealing films is not always simple. A cooperation between Plasthill and Constantia Flexibles has now led to the development of a PE film which uses less material, thus leading to reduced CO2 emissions, yet has greater seal strength.
Image: SSB Wägetechnik GmbH
Vacuum-sealed closures for bulk goods
22/06/2022
Food or building materials present special challenges for the filling and closing process. To make sure that the surroundings stay clean and product safety is guaranteed along the entire supply chain for bulk powders, vacuum seals are used for filling and closing.
Photo: Metsä Board
Sustainability in to-go packaging
18/09/2020
Our world is to become more eco-friendly, and manufacturers across all industries and segments are doing everything they can to give their products and processes a more sustainable design. This has resulted in a range of solutions, one of which is sustainable to-go packaging for baked goods.
Foto: Bühler
More automation in baked goods packaging
18/06/2020
Automation continues to make great strides in baked goods packaging. Manufacturers of baked goods are making more and more investments in automated robotics in the production and packaging processes and are thus increasing their reliability along with their quality, speed, efficiency and flexibility.
© Messe Düsseldorf
Number of the Month Confectionery and Baked Goods 2020
19/02/2020
Regardless of whether we prefer sweet or salty – the global confectionery and baked goods industry is delighted to see an increase in sales. Customers are looking for a varied range of products and packaging as well as practical packaging solutions for out-of-home consumption that are sustainable at the same time. Responsive and flexible modern technologies and equipment are in high demand.