Speaking ahead of The Future of Confectionery Packaging debate at ISM & ProSweets 2016, in Colgone, Germany, on February 1, panelist Andreas Leitze, sales director, confectionery technology, Bosch, said processing and packaging equipment needs to adapt to changing product characteristics by offering customized technology for quicker time-to-market.
Muesli-based protein & fruit bars
“Over time,packaging producers will need to process more difficult to handle products, such as greasy cornflakes, muesli-based protein bars, fruit bars, honey-filled cereal bars, and dried fruit crisps,” he said.
“With short turnaround times and competition fierce, confectionery producers prefer to focus on developing new recipes and marketing, rather than investing resources into combining processing and packaging machines from various suppliers.
“Collaborating with a complete line solutions provider enables trouble-free integration of the entire line and spares valuable resource on developing products to win consumers’ hearts.”
According to Research and Markets – European Confectionery Market Forecast (2015-2020), the European confectionery processing market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.3% between 2015-2020, thanks to a global evolution of consumers’ tastes and their inclination towards healthy snacks, resulting in a significant growth in the sales of low calorie and sugar-free products.
With a €167m market value, Europe is currently the biggest snacking consumer region from a sales perspective, which inevitably reflects on the packaging sector.
Bosch will present its technologies at ProSweets 2016, featuring the latest WRF 600 Flex roller former upgraded for the production of multilayered bars (including caramel application), capable of adjusting the slab width during production without machine stoppages.
Doy Zip vertical bagger
It also has a range of distribution systems, such as the Pack Feeder 4 infeed system with Pack 401 flow wrapper for the gentle handling of bars and plans to exhibit its Doy Zip vertical bagger, which produces up to 100 bags per minute.
“Hygienic design will become more important to minimize manual interventions in the production and packaging process and fulfilling food safety regulations,” added Leitze.
“More competition on the supermarket shelves will mean the variety of pack styles will increase to elevate themselves above other brands, this is true for single-serve packs and on-the-go meals.
“From a financial side, increased costs of manually operated machines will drive a higher demand for automation of packaging lines, also within the lower range segments. This is a direct result of a switch in manufacturers’ focus from initial upfront costs to Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), shortening amortization cycles.
“A crucial upcoming trend is connectivity in industrial development and manufacturing – known as Industry 4.0 – which is bringing a speed of innovation not seen for 150 years. The topic is of high strategical importance for Bosch, and also within the processing and packaging industry.
“Development of market-specific connected technology will be an intensive area of engagement for us in 2016 and beyond.”
ConfectioneryNews is hosting three live debates at ISM & ProSweets 2016 (January 31 to February 3 2016).
Leitze, will join panelists Andrew Streeter, director, CPS International and innovātus and Klaas Schouten, senior consultant, KPMG, at the Future of Confectionery Packaging panel at ProSweets Speakers Corner, from 10:30am-12 noon, on Monday, February 1.