Major International Packaging Manufacturers Focus on Food Packaging Safety
According to the latest Food Wastage Footprint report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), nearly 1.3 billion tons of food are discarded worldwide every year. If food is handled more carefully and consumption is reduced, it is possible to prevent the spread of famine. Time and temperature indicator is one of the ways to prevent decay and waste. It will always remind the freshness of the product. Its advantage is that it can make it clear whether the refrigeration chain is interrupted, for example. BASF and Swiss company Freshpoint have already provided a visible label made of special pigments. They are printed on the package and will change color once the package is not edible.
Active packaging is also one of the research objects, which may interact with packaging. PET bottles need to be pre-prepared with oxygen absorbents such as iron, so oxygen-sensitive beverages such as beer or fruit juice can be preserved longer. Or add preservatives such as sorbic acid to the film to prevent bacteria from growing on food. Critics argue that chemicals added to active packaging affect the natural properties of products. Scholars at the Fraunhofer Institute for Processing Technology and Packaging (IVV) in Freisin, Bavaria, hope to help: they have developed antimicrobial materials based on plant extracts such as rosemary. "In this way, food manufacturers can further meet consumers'needs for natural and healthy products." Sven Sngerlaub, an IVV material developer, said.
But the disadvantage of many food packaging savings is that the cost of its manufacturing process is relatively higher. For example, for a "stronger" package, more materials are needed, which requires additional resources. Therefore, the industry is trying to balance the higher consumption of "smart" packaging by saving other links in the food value chain. So packaging machine manufacturers are also considering improving the efficiency of their production lines through stronger automation and optimized processes.
For example, Ms. Valeska Haux, Director of Marketing, said that Modivik provided innovative technology for its customers, which ensured that as little film waste as possible would occur in the production process. This can be achieved through state-of-the-art tool technology, such as cutting tool field. "We have improved the efficiency and hygiene of our equipment, and we have avoided producing waste in the production process." Mathias DU lfer, general manager of Weber Machinery Manufacturing Company, explained. Experts of high-performance cutting machines continue to optimize their equipment combinations. In the latest machine, innovative cutting technology, intuitive operation and open structure design are more convenient for operation, access, inspection and cleaning. "This will help produce more economically, safely and sustainably." Said DU lfer.
Safer and more throughput food packaging - this is also the driving force behind ULMA Packaging, a Spanish machinery manufacturer. The company provides all packaging technology, from tubular packaging to thermoforming packaging machine. In addition, at the International Packaging Fair in 2014, the Spaniards will also show off their new thermoforming machines for so-called body-fitted packaging. The most important function of this kind of packaging is to prolong the product life, but at the same time it can avoid the loss of liquid caused by moisture regain.
