Practical Guide to Metal Detection-Food Industry
Fortress Technology
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28-May-2004
Meat packaging seminar discusses state of industry
A seminar on meat packaging automation was held this month at Packforum, packaging materials supplier Cryovac’s permanent customer-care centre near Paris. The programme addressed new challenges in meat packaging including...
Buhler develops flavour-saving cocoa processing
A roasting system equipped with state-of-the-art debacterisation has been developed for US chocolate and cocoa producer Blommer. The process is claimed to preserve the properties of cocoa better.
Efficient heat exchange for major energy savings
Industrial boilers, which are used in a number of food processing applications, have become the focus of a decisive trend towards greater energy-efficiency. Food processors are more aware of the...
Rapid cooling of foods information from CCFRA
A review to help chilled and frozen food companies to identify and potentially exploit new technologies for the rapid cooling of foods has been launched.
27-May-2004
GEA launches membrane filtration pilot plant
GEA has developed a new pilot plant that gives food and drink manufacturers the opportunity to test filtration membranes before implementation. The company claims that this allows processors to achieve...
Syntectic Design develops weighing innovation
Syntectic Design has launched a digital bridge amplifier for weighing and measuring that it claims will enable food manfuacturers to achieve quicker and more efficient processing.
Microfluidics could see off chromatography columns
Agilent Technologies has launched a microfluidics-based technology for liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS)- widely used by scientists in protein research and pharmaceutical applications to separate and identify biological compounds - that...
GE thermoplastic alloy for ready meal packaging
A new thermoplastic alloy, designed for use in large retort packaging sterilisation trays, is said to offer ready-meal manufacturers increased rack/surge capacity for higher output, double service life, and lower...
Aarhus installs fieldbus technology
Food processor Aarhus United has installed PlantWeb digital plant architecture from Emerson Process Management at its new Danish oil processing plant. The new IT infrastructure includes a DeltaV digital automation...
Tracing salmon from farm to fork
German chemicals company BASF is to participate in a new project designed to trace Norwegian farmed salmon throughout the entire production chain as part of a qualitative move to boost...
26-May-2004
Colour sorting boosts yields
Colour sorting is not always the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to increasing yields from dried ingredients, but UK firm Radix says that its unique equipment...
SAP and Deloitte address food processing challenges
A comprehensive package of software and services to help midsize food and beverage companies improve operational efficiency has been put together by software company SAP and certain Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu...
Rexam completes Latasa acquisition
UK-based consumer packaging company Rexam has completed its acquisition of Latasa, Brazil's largest beverage can maker. Just over 5 million shares of Latasa common stock and 80,000 preferred shares have...
Long-distance RFID reader
A compact RFID reader that offers read ranges as far as 11 metres even when transponders are attached to metal objects has been launched.
Mahler and Messer build hydrogen generation plant
A hydrogen generation plant for a major German confectionery company is being built by systems manufacturer Mahler IGS and industrial gas giant Messer Griesheim.
Foiling the counterfeiters
Coating solutions firm Appleton has formed a partnership with packaging manufacturer Rock-Tenn to develop a paperboard-based package with brand protection capabilities.
Better fluid handling for greater plant efficiency
Increasing production efficiency to generate higher profits is the aim of every plant manager. But now manufacturers have to think about their legal obligations to reduce waste and conserve energy....
Global action to combat animal disease threat
Transboundary animal diseases are on the increase, say the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). As a result, both...
25-May-2004
UK waste management strategy criticised
The UK government's recent Review of Environmental and Health Effects of Waste Management has been slammed by an environmental pressure group.
The challenge to trace fresh produce
Food Safe International and DTG Industries have formed a partnership to create RFID traceability and tracking solutions for perishable fruits and vegetables. Food Safe will work with DTG to industrialise...
Buhler installs new milling concept
Dutch feed manufacturing firm De Heus-Brokking-Koudijs recently installed two new high-tech roller mills at its Ravenstein plant with the aim of producing poultry feed more efficiently. To carry out the...
Berner to increase efficiency with ERP software
Berner Foods, a supplier of food products including processed cheese, natural cheese and soy beverages, has installed enterprise software in order to meet critical US federal regulations and to streamline...
24-May-2004
EU traceability technology applied to meat industry
An EU-developed livestock traceability programme that uses DNA fingerprint technology is being introduced into the US meat industry.
Europen: German deposit system has damaged industry
The German system of mandatory deposits on certain non-refillable beverage containers has had a devastating impact on some sectors of the packaging industry, according to a recent assessment.
P&G pioneers potato snack printing technology
An innovative method that allows potato crisp manufacturers to print words and images directly onto each chip has been developed. Pringles Prints, the first product to use the new proprietary...
NutraIngredients lauded by food industry
Sister site NutraIngredients.com has received a finalist's award in the best publication category of the UK's business food and drink journalist awards.
21-May-2004
What plant managers need to know
Changes to laws governing waste, energy consumption and emissions are forcing plants to alter their methods of operation. Anthony Fletcher spoke to the UK Environment Agency's head of waste management...
RFID: No such thing as low risk
A research analyst claims that no RFID service provider can be considered low risk' due to the general lack of experience in this early stage of development of the technology...
New anti-bacteria treatment for milk processors
A new process to kill bacteria spores in the manufacture of formula milk and milk concentrates has been launched. Developer Invensys claims that the process destroys a substantially greater number...
China's big problem : food piracy
The news that an investigation has been ordered by China's premier, Wen Jiabao, into the deaths of at least 12 babies after drinking fake formula milk has led to a...
Protective packaging market to increase steadily
Protective packaging demand in the US will grow 5.2 per cent annually through 2008, according to research analyst Freedonia Group. Gains will be driven by accelerating Internet and mail order...
19-May-2004
Alfred Wolff makes honey safer
German ingredients manufacturer Alfred Wolff claims it has made improvements to honey that will make if safer for confectionery manufacturers to use.
Detection for protective gas atmosphere packaging
A highly flexible automatic measuring device capable of detecting the tiniest leaks of CO2 from protective gas atmosphere packaging has been developed.
Intelligent packaging must be regulated, says FSAI
Imminent changes to EU law could result in a flood of intelligent packaging, says Alan Reilly, acting chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). But he warns...
BakeMark installs plant-wide control system
A plant-wide control system has been installed at an industrial bakery in the UK. The firm, BakeMark, wanted to replace its existing system and to expand production of its bread...
RFID experiment hailed a success
Wal-Mart claims that its initial roll-out of electronic product codes (EPCs) in select distribution warehouses and stores suggests that the concept will be a long-term success.
Nestlé's fair trade interest a concern for coffee producers
Recent reports that Nestlé, the world's biggest food company, is considering a move into the fair trade market have been met with scepticism and disbelief by market observers and rival...
18-May-2004
Is safety the key to Russian food exports?
Hygiene and safety is a pressing issue for food manufacturers across the globe, but in Russia increasing state regulation does not always make safety checks easy to carry out. Simon...
Jorgensen develops robotic technology for food industry
Abbott Laboratories, a major infant formula manufacturer in Ireland, has expanded its production potential through the integration of new robotic technology. The concept enables the manufacturer to pick and place...
Syscan and Sensor Wireless announce RFID partnership
Syscan International and Sensor Wireless are set to combine their separate technologies to jointly develop new RFID applications for the food production industry.
Understand environmental legislation or pay the price
The UK's environmental regulator has cautioned food and drink manufacturers that if they fail to comply with essential environmental legislation they risk hefty fines. The warning comes as a website...
Krones launches lifecycle programme for bottlers
Krones has unveiled what it claims is a complete package of after-sale customer care for bottlers and plant managers. The service covers everything from installation and commissioning through to training,...
Retalix launches distribution supply chain initiative
Retalix has launched CS Direct, a supply chain initiative for operators interested in self-distribution. The new initiative is specifically tailored to the requirements of the convenience store sector and is...
17-May-2004
Fruit juice launches
RTD fruit launches appear to be flooding the market at the moment, with a series of innovative launches for the Polish and Hungarian markets.
New report uncovers trends in convenience packaging
A new report examining convenience packaging and serving size trends, from prepared meals to snacks and beverages, has been published.
Tulip and Flagship merger consolidates UK meat supplier market
Danish Crown's UK subsidiary Tulip Limited has combined with Flagship Foods to create the UK's second largest pork meat supplier. The new group will be called Tulip.
Sun and Capgemini develop RFID compliance software
Sun Microsystems and Capgemini have launched a jointly-developed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solution to enable packaged goods companies to comply with RFID mandates issued by a growing number of leading...
Intralox: Plastic spiral belt can increase efficiency
The manufacturer of a new spiral belt designed specifically for the cooling and freezing of food products claims that the machine can substantially cut product waste and increase energy efficiency...
Zimmer technology to revolutionise PET production
Zimmer, a subsidiary of mg technologies, claims to have developed a new process that manufactures blanks for PET bottles 10 per cent more efficiently than at present. This, it says,...
14-May-2004
Ishida weighing innovation to increase efficiency
A leading European meat processor hopes that the installation of a new Ishida fresh food weigher will increase weighing accuracy and result in production efficiency.
Tekni-Films develops high-barrier packaging film
A new ultra high-barrier thermoformable PCTFE film laminate has been developed. Tekni-Films, a Tekni-Plex company, has described its new product as the highest-barrier clear film currently available.
UK's BSE crisis draws to an end
Fall out from the BSE crisis that hit the UK meat industry in the 1990s could be nearly over as the EU's food safety body paves the way for British...
RedPrairie launches RFID-enabling software
Comprehensive RFID-enabling software is now available to help manufacturers achieve RFID compliance, from printing and reading tag-embedded labels to filtering and aggregating data.
China adopts western technology to boost brewing potential
A major Chinese brewer is adopting hi-tech methods and promoting the growth of new varieties of hops from the USA, UK and Germany to boost brewing production. Domestic producers in...
13-May-2004
BWG invests in functional distribution software
Irish wholesaler BWG has installed a high-tech distribution system at its cash & carry depots and distribution centres. The Accord software package is designed to minimise supply chain costs through...
Emerging packaging markets to be discussed
A conference to address the future of central & eastern Europe's packaging markets is to be held in Bologna, Italy next month. The event will attempt to evaluate the investment...
K-Tek develops long-distance laser analysis
A laser transmitter has been developed that can measure dry bulk solids and opaque liquids at penetrations of up to an incredible 60 metres. By using an extremely small wavelength,...
Little relief for food prices in 2004
With shortfalls in grain harvests progressively worsening over the past four years, closing the gap will not be easy, says Lester Brown at the Earth Policy Institute. He predicts this...
Food manufacturers eye processing efficiency in the east
Over 500 food processing plants were shut down in the Czech Republic at the end of 2003, according to Radio Praha. The closures of the plants were due to food...
12-May-2004
Nestlé Poland cranks up ice cream production
Nestlé has launched a new ice cream production line at its Namyslów facility in south-east Poland. The extension aims to meet an extensive broadening of its ice cream product portfolio...
Czech brewer launches malt RTD
Plzenskly Prazdroj, part of the SABMiller group, has launched a low alcohol lemon-apple flavoured malt drink onto the Czech market, the first of its kind.
New fuel efficiency concept for potato processors
A new means of on-site fuel generation for potato processing facilities using recovered potato waste solids has been discovered. The breakthrough could help companies achieve energy savings while at the...
World's largest meat processor installs IT network
Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat processor, has installed a technology platform to complete the integration of its operating units. The mySAP business suite is designed to establish best practice...
Trans fats on the way out?
Last year Denmark became the first country in the world to ban trans fats from food products over fears these hydrogenated fats could contribute to heart disease. While the EU...
European can makers applaud EU recycling ruling
The Beverage Can Makers in Europe (BCME) has welcomed the advocate general's conclusions in the EU Court cases regarding the German packaging regime. He found that the discriminatory elements of...
New Amcor fruit packaging
UK snack company Sundora Foods has relaunched its range of dried fruit in innovative new packaging. The company chose Amcor Flexible's patented new FlexCan as the concept offers consumers an...
11-May-2004
Global orders help Krones achieve good first quarter
Krones, the market leader for beverage filling and packaging machinery, has reported increased order bookings, sales revenues and profits for the first quarter of 2004 despite gloomy prognoses for the...
Purchase order management software from ClearOrbit
Real-time supply chain execution (SCE) software provider ClearOrbit has launched Purchase Order Change Management, part of its Advanced Collaborative Replenishment Suite. PO Change Management automates the communication of order changes...
Arla eyes processing opportunities in the new EU
The first lorries loaded with cheese from Arla Foods' dairy plant in Poland headed for Finland last week, as all export quotas and customs levies were finally lifted between existing...
Largest wine producer in the US adopts screw tops
Corbett Canyon, the largest US wine brand, is converting all its 750ml bottles to Stelvin screw top closures in order to protect them from cork taint. But with many consumers...
J.O.Sims looks east for fruit ingredient supplies
On the back of rising sales for frozen fruits UK ingredients firm J.O.Sims has linked up with German supplier Dinter Trading, which will provide the UK firm with a range...
German deposit system reverses packaging trend
The mandatory deposit system on non-reusable packaging has had a significant impact on the bottled water and cooler sector in Germany, according to a new report. Since the introduction of...
10-May-2004
Globalisation of RFID boosts Advanced ID sales
The global expansion of RFID technology can be seen in the orders Canadian developer Advanced ID (AID) has received in recent months. The company is involved in installing the technology...
Buhler brings processing expertise to Australia
Equipment giant Buhler has supplied two vertical hammer mills to an Australian feed mill with the aim of achieving higher capacity. The challenge of the project was that the installation...
Europe's industrial gas sector consolidates
Gas giant Air Liquide's €2.7 billion acquisition of Messer Griesheim's operations in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States has just been completed. The acquisition alters the balance of...
How to turn old garbage into brand new packaging
A scientist at the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden has demonstrated how manufacturers can make environmentally-friendly packing out of garbage.
Partnership offers plant managers energy savings
US-based Andover Controls has formed a partnership with UK-based HVAC specialist AEC to offer plant managers greater potential for energy saving. There is growing awareness that food processors need to...
07-May-2004
Foil protection for food packaging
Food manufacturers are increasingly turning to solutions that combine multiple security elements to protect products against counterfeiting, according to French foil manufacturer Kurz.
Food prices continue to rise on world grain shortage
Food makers and ingredients firm across the world are currently affected by the rising world price for basic food commodities. In each of the last four years world grain production...
Massive profit growth boosts biodegradable sector
BioEnvelop Technologies has reported a massive 1,486 per cent increase in sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 compared to the same quarter ended 30 April 2003. This underlines...
Comprehensive supply chain software from Manhattan
Supply chain execution (SCE) solutions provider Manhattan Associates has launched a new integrated approach to help manufacturers manage every aspect of their operation. Everything from warehouse management to global tracing...
Special Focus: RFID arrives
RFID has arrived. Long hailed as the next IT revolution for industry, communicating labels are being forced into place by retailers and legislators alike, leaving manufacturers racing to implement a...
06-May-2004
Advances in shelf life technology examined
A new report examining the latest developments in improving the shelf-life of various food products has been launched. New technology has opened the door to a number of innovations that...
Foss upgrades analytical technology software
Foss has launched a software package specifically designed for use on its NIRSystems near-infrared (NIR) laboratory and process analysers. The technology is designed to complement the FDA's recently launched Process...
Crown launches cost-effective air-tight closures
New pre-designed metal closures for European manufacturers of jams and honey have been developed by Crown Holdings. The company claims that the concept will help companies achieve greater cost-effectiveness while...
Food processors to benefit from EU enlargment
Leading foreign supermarket chains in Eastern Europe claim they are expecting to significantly increase their food exports to foreign subsidiaries throughout Europe, giving a major boost to food producers there,...
Plant lifecycle management programme developed
Buhler has developed a comprehensive system to help manufacturers manage the life cycle of their plant. The company argues that in the long term, good planning and predictive maintenance is...
05-May-2004
US announces renewable energy grants to SMEs
Grants have been made available in the US to enable small businesses to invest in renewable energy systems. Food producers could be in line to benefit most - the industry...
Energy regulations must be slackened, says UK poultry industry
The British Poultry Council claims that less regulations on energy consumption and pollution in the meat processing industry is vital if the sector is to survive the onslaught of cheaper...
Intermec launches RFID migration strategy
Intermec Technologies has launched an RFID migration strategy to help customers meet new RFID requirements. Under the scheme, manufacturers and retailers will be able to begin pilots with current Intermec...
New information technology for food products developed
Consumers with special dietary needs could benefit from a barcode and mobile camera phone system that communicates product information, according to researchers in Finland. Potential uses of RFID technology are...
UK carrot supplier doubles packaging speed
A leading processor of carrots for the UK supermarket sector has doubled its packaging speed by replacing traditional bagging with drop and seal technology from Ulma Packaging.
04-May-2004
A glimpse of food packaging in the future
A new sachet that contains no air and flat cardboard on one side has been developed in New Zealand. The new-style packaging, which offers consumers easier opening and businesses the...
Oxygen-active packaging
Packaging that reacts to its environment could help food manufacturers preserve food for longer and help consumers to recognise when a particular product has reached its sell-by date. This, says...
Texture measuring improved
Stable Micro Systems has developed a probe that it claims can accurately determine the firmness and texture of a number of foods. The analyser works by penetrating the food in...
Process management made easier
Industrial measurement equipment provider Endress+Hauser has developed a comprehensive service to help production managers handle the lifecycle of their plant equipment better. Predictive maintenance is much less expensive than unplanned...
Coke pressed for answers
Investigations into whether Coca-Cola overshipped drink concentrate to distributors in some markets in order to inflate its financial results has intensified. A federal grand jury has been scheduled and employees...
03-May-2004
Demand for detection
A number of metal detection systems have just been installed at a major food processor in Holland. The eight Lock MET 30+ metal detectors now up-and-running at King Cuisine's facility...
Wal-Mart begins supply chain revolution
Wal-Mart and eight product manufacturers have begun testing electronic product codes, or EPCs, at select Supercentres in the US. If successful, the concept will change forever the manner in which...
Steel packaging recycling in an expanded Europe
The ten new Member States of the EU have had to work flat out to ensure that their legal systems are brought into line with the rest of Europe's, and...
Common laws for ingredients bring growth in west for accession ten
On 1 May an historic moment marked the entry of ten countries and 75 million consumers into the European Union. Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' has been consigned to the history books,...
New production technology bears fruit in Ireland
New technology in strawberry production has led to dramatic improvements, a Teagasc conference in Ireland has been told. Through the adoption of new production methods, the value of strawberries has...
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