With the slogan, The world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry – processing + filling + packaging + marketing, there certainly will be things to interest everyone at the show. In the 12 halls, over 1,500 exhibitors from more than 70 countries will be demonstrating their latest technologies and innovations to the anticipated 60,000 visitors. These are top trends we expect to see:
Innovative filling technology
For bottlers, pressure on cost, the demand for greater flexibility and growing expectations around environmental responsibility will see many of the exhibitors demonstrating innovative filling technologies.
Dr Matthias Niemeyer, chairman of KHS, summed up the trends in filling technology: “Modular-designed filling technology will be a central theme,” he said. “This involves increased filling quality, better system availability and lower costs for maintenance, energy, water and cleaning agents – advantages that are generated also by consistent application of hygienic design.”
The same is true for the increasingly popular aseptic filling technologies. Holger Kahlert, vice president filling technology at Krones, has said that the general trend in aseptic filling is towards a significant reduction in cleaning and sterilisation media: “The plant operators want to move away from the classic wet-aseptic with peracetic acid or dry sterilisation with hydrogen peroxide towards chemical-free systems, for example using irradiation. ‘No water, no life’: if the isolator always remains dry and no chemicals are used, then microorganisms have no nutrient to feed on, and no contamination can arise.”
Process automation and IT
The second main trend, according to Gunther Walden, head of food & beverage at the Siemens Division Industry Automation, lies in process optimisation: “The focus will be on solutions which will help companies in the beverages industry increase their productivity,” he said. “These offers are aimed at reducing the total cost of ownership for the operators, while maintaining high product quality and providing greater flexibility. These include products and solutions to increase energy efficiency in production.”
Sweetening, colour and flavour trends
At the ‘Special New Beverage Concepts’ area in Hall B1 – where FoodBev Media will be based for the whole event – manufacturers will be presenting and explaining their new sweetening, colouring and flavouring strategies.
From a move to ‘natural’ and ‘clean label’ to a great deal of noise around stevia, the ingredients companies exhibiting at Drinktec will be showing their latest developments. For many, these will include focused, niche trends. For example, Beneo will be demonstrating ideas for a better balance in energy boosting products: “Consumers are increasingly focusing on drinks concepts that release a steady supply of energy, avoiding the so-called ‘boost and crash’ effect,” said Beneo marketing manager Jens Böhm. “It is ingredients like ginseng or Palatinose (Isomaltulose) that rate highest on this criterion, as they are natural products that also offer nutritional benefits.”
Packaging lightweighting
The trend to lightweighting in packaging continues, with many new developments on show at Drinktec. One example is PET Engineering’s EvoLight bottle in the 0.5-litre format, with a weight of 7.5g, reduced by 31.5% in comparison to the average weight of half-litre bottles on the market.
The result is achieved by implementing a new Husky 26/22 neck finish, with a weight of 1.91g – the Swerve neck solution and Sunbase, the patented base that gives more resistance and rigidity to this area even with nitrogen. The right balance between weight reduction and visual performance is achieved using the resin X-treme by Novapet.
Award-winning innovation
As I write, we’ve reviewing the finalists and winners from the 370+ entries in the Beverage Innovation Awards. Trends here, particularly in finished products from juice through sparkling drinks to ready-to-drink teas and coffees, reflect the technology solutions that will be on display at Drinktec.
For an update on the awards, either visit the Drinktec Forum at 17:30 on Thursday 19 September, or visit FoodBev.com on 20 September.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024