Anuga FoodTec 2018 in Cologne ended with a new visitor record. Eleven percent more visitors than at the previous Anuga FoodTec - more than 50,000 in total - came to the Cologne exhibition grounds from 20 to 23 March 2018. Some exhibitors from the packaging sector came up with real innovations.
Organised every three years, the Trade fair is becoming increasingly international, according to the organiser Koelnmesse GmbH. Guests from a total of 152 countries were interested in the latest offerings from the food industry. Koelmesse Managing Director Katharina C. Hammer was delighted: „The great popularity of the international guests and the high quality of the visitors show us that we are on the right track with the organisation and concept of the trade fair. Anuga FoodTec have met the requirements of the trade fair participants.“
The main theme of this year's Anuga FoodTec was Resource efficiency. Numerous exhibiting companies showcased their latest developments. Among other things, they presented packaging with a lotus effect that reduces food losses, production lines with modular parts for customised products and concepts for saving raw materials in the production process.
Robotik-Pack-Line: Cost reduction through energy-efficient individual modules
Once again, the „Robotic Pack Line“ in Hall 7, where various packaging companies demonstrated how the costs of a complete packaging solution can be minimised. Packaging line can be reduced by linking energy-efficient individual modules. It was possible to see how snack products were first sorted and then packed into tubular bags, which in turn were packed into folding boxes after a leak test. The demonstration continued with the labelling and sorting of the folding cartons into transport packaging and the final palletising. The folding carton top-loading system was provided by the Hochheim-based company Dienst. On its own stand in the next hall, Dienst presented itself as a side-load specialist and showed the HK4 horizontal cartoner in operation.
Mettler-Toledo presents new, more accurate X-ray inspection system
With Mettler-Toledo had a faster and more accurate Inline foreign object detection system World première. The X-ray inspection systems in the X34 series complete the Mettler Toledo range of X-ray inspection systems, said Marketing Manager Miriam Krechlock at the product presentation. The X34 system makes the inline detection of foreign objects in packaged products much more efficient. Intelligent software makes it easier to set up new inspection objects. The detection accuracy has been increased compared to previous systems. A 100-watt X-ray generator operates inside. Diodes with a diameter of 0.4 or 0.8 millimetres are available for detection. Up to 300 parts per minute can be analysed with the system.
Fruit and vegetables are labelled directly on the peel
At the Labelling of fresh fruit, vegetables, bread rolls or cheese rinds, many producers will be able to dispense with outer packaging or additional labelling in future. Bluhm Systems presented a new food laser labeller. Four foods at a time are labelled with the 30-watt CO2-laser „e-SolarMark“ with product codes or other markings. The special feature: Each piece of fruit or vegetable is labelled with absolute precision despite individual differences in height. A focus tolerance is provided that can compensate for three-dimensional differences of 40 millimetres.
