What technology trends will influence the manufacturing, bottling and packaging of foods and liquid foods in the years to come? And what does that mean for beverage manufacturers and bottlers? Drinktec asked the people who should know better than anyone – the exhibitors.
Beer process technology
The use of raw materials will be a central theme of Drinktec 2013 in two respects. This prediction comes from Professor Martin Krottenthaler from the Weihenstephan Triesdorf University. He said: “Here, in the global market, the first matter of interest is the highest possible yield. The second is that the raw materials will become more variable. The central question is: where do I get the starch for brewing at low cost? And it doesn’t have to come from traditional raw materials, if, perhaps, logistical costs are rising, or the competition is growing, or because of the arable areas. This directly influences the machine technology needed.” Professor Krottenthaler sees human resources as another strategic corporate goal. “Employees with dual training, meaning they are equally competent in theory and practice, will become an important factor for the future, as this is the only way to operate the complex production units optimally with the lowest possible input from human resources.”
Milk process technology
In the dairy and other sectors, hygiene is an important watchword. According to Knuth Lorenzen, the president of the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG), consistent use of all the suggestions from hygienic design can considerably reduce cleaning in place (CIP) times. The motto is ‘easy to clean’, because shorter cleaning times greatly increase the availability of the plant. In all these areas, Drinktec 2013 offers visitors from the dairy industry many exciting state-of-the-art technical innovations.
Wine process technology
Now decanters can also successfully replace the press, the dominant method of juice extraction since the days of the Romans, as Robert Stangl, regional manager food technology Alfa Laval, explained: “Nowadays decanters not only handle must clarification and yeast separation, these machines can also be used to extract must or juice from the grapes. Scroll-type centrifuges have already more than proven their effectiveness as compared to conventional presses. The more constant values, the easier operation and the drier residues all lead to greater efficiency. For vintners this means a higher yield with precisely calculable costs. Several well known institutes in Germany and abroad can confirm these results. For this reason Alfa Laval will probably be exhibiting a decanter of this type at Drinktec 2013.”
Cross-functional process technology
GMP, short for ‘good manufacturing practice’, is a comprehensive quality assurance system that is gaining ground around the world. Just how it works is described by Heinz-Jürgen Kroner, managing director of Pentair Südmo: “For us system designers, GMP basically presents two challenges: Firstly, as the competitive environment gets ever tougher, investment and operating costs should be as low as possible. Secondly, the input required for quality, performance, safety and documentation is constantly rising.
“The automobile industry is showing how to master this twin challenge. They build a wide range of models and brands on one standardised vehicle platform. The manufacturer is therefore deliberately moving away from individual production to a module-based system. This trend will be evident in many areas at Drinktec.”
Labelling and packaging technology
In particular when lines are changed often, the plug and label machines boost cost-efficiency tremendously. Markus Müller, Heuft Systemtechnik, explained: “The ever increasing diversity in beverages packaging and packaging styles is demanding compact, flexible solutions that are highly automated, high-precision solutions for applying different types of label and for rapid changeovers that save on personnel and material costs. There is a trend towards camerabased, servo-controlled processes for millimeter-precise fine alignment of bottles before label application and integrated inspection modules to check quality even while the containers are still in the machine. Visitors to Drinktec 2013 can look forward to a chance to review innovative technologies not just in these areas.”
Conventional filling technology
Prof Dr-Ing Matthias Niemeyer, chairman of KHS , summed up the trends in filling technology: “At Drinktec 2013 we will again see a clear orientation towards meeting customer wishes and, allied to this, a maximisation of benefit. In this context the aspect of sustainability plays a key role. At the same time modular-designed filling technology will also be a central theme. 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.”
Aseptic filling technology
For Holger Kahlert, vice president filling technology at Krones, 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 sterilization 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 micro-organisms have no nutrient to feed on, and no contamination can arise.”
Process automation and IT
The trend towards tailor made automation solutions for businesses of all sizes, for the medium-sized, as well as global acting businesses, will be continuing on Drinktec 2013. A second main focus, 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. These offers are aimed at reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the operators, while maintaining high product quality and providing greater flexibility. These include products and solutions to increase energy-efficiency in production.”
Meeting FoodBev
FoodBev Media will be based in Hall B1 – in the New Beverage Concepts’ area – for the whole event, so come and see us. Make your way to the Innovation Flow Lounge at 11.00 on Thursday 19 September for a series of fascinating presentations about beverage innovation – and to the Drinktec Forum at 17:00 on 19 September to see the Beverage Innovation Awards ceremony. See you there!
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