Revolutionizing the Food and Beverage Industry: From Drive Solutions to Sustainable Packaging and Precision Cutting

In an ever-evolving food and beverage industry, innovation is key to addressing challenges and improving sustainability. Three pioneering companies, Dunkermotoren, ULMA Packaging, and Marel, are leading the charge with their intelligent drive solutions, sustainable packaging technology, and precision portion-cutting equipment.

Dunkermotoren: Navigating Challenges with Intelligent Drive Solutions

The food and beverage market encompasses a wide range of products, from raw food processing to packaging and distribution. Quality, safety, sustainability, and transparency are paramount in this industry. Rising cost pressures and labor shortages add to the challenges.

Automation: Meeting Megatrends

Consumers today are increasingly concerned about product origin, logistics, and sustainability. Automated packaging lines equipped with QR or RFID tags enable traceability throughout the manufacturing process. Energy-efficient drive solutions reduce energy consumption, curbing unnecessary CO2 emissions and improving ecological footprints.

Automated processes not only enhance productivity but also reduce labor demands. Entire production and packaging lines can be operated and controlled by a single employee.

Drive Technology: The Core of Automation

Flexible, responsive, adaptable, and energy-efficient equipment is essential to meet industry demands. Equipment must also adhere to stringent safety and hygiene regulations. Intelligent drive solutions play a pivotal role in high-tech production equipment, especially in areas where components come into close contact with food.

Dunkermotoren, a brand of AMETEK, boasts over 70 years of experience in the food and beverage market. Their intelligent drive solutions, combining brushless DC motors with gearboxes, encoders, and motor electronics, cater to a wide range of applications.

Sustainability and Efficiency

Reduced cabling or standalone operation requirements are seamlessly met as the motor can be fully integrated into the equipment. Communication via CANopen or Ethernet interfaces, such as EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, and PROFINET, is supported. The Motor Control Platform offers flexibility in motion profiles and parameters, ensuring the solution works in position, velocity, or torque mode. The integrated functional safety feature STO enhances application safety.

For environments with strict hygiene requirements, Dunkermotoren offers solutions with specific designs, surfaces, and the highest protection classes, including IP69K. Both linear and rotary motors are available in robust, sealed, and hygienic stainless-steel versions.

Intelligent Components: Elevating Performance

Smart BLDC motors with integrated motor electronics provide additional options for power savings and energy efficiency. Smart service solutions offered by the IIoT brand nexofox enable real-time monitoring and alert management, optimizing motor operation.

Dunkermotoren's state-of-the-art components support manufacturers in addressing challenges even in special environments and aligning with industry trends.

ULMA Packaging: Reducing Plastic Waste with R-Skin?

ULMA Packaging's R-Skin? technology is a game-changer in the packaging industry. Traditionally, skin packaging required thick trays to prevent deformations and defects during packaging.

PET Trays for Sustainability

Using PET trays is highly beneficial for sustainability, maintaining transparency and visibility. Mono PET trays are fully recyclable and can contain recycled materials, reducing taxes on plastic products and aiding recycling plant sorting.

Sustainability and Financial Benefits of R-Skin?

R-Skin? offers sustainability benefits such as a 50% reduction in plastic consumption, PCR material incorporation into trays, and a lower carbon footprint. Financially, it reduces tray production costs and plastic taxes, promoting sustainability.

Marel: Precision Portion Cutting with the I-Cut 360

Marel introduces the I-Cut 360, a versatile solution for precision meat cutting without the need for crust freezing. One standout feature is its ability to slice weight-controlled portions as thin as 3 mm.

Meeting Consumer Demand

Thin meat slices are increasingly popular among consumers seeking convenience and value. The I-Cut 360 handles fresh or crust-frozen raw materials with ease, offering versatility in producing various cuts, including schnitzels, prime steaks, and roasts.

Efficiency and Convenience

Designed for operator-friendliness, the I-Cut 360 boosts throughput, improves working conditions, and minimizes downtime. Integration with Innova Food Processing Software ensures maximum efficiency.

Marel: Your Partner in Portion Cutting

As a market leader in portion-cutting solutions, Marel collaborates with clients to define solutions that optimize value and adapt to changing market conditions. Their advanced portion cutters enhance cutting technology and value-adding processes, making Marel a trusted partner in the food processing industry.

Conclusion

The food and beverage industry is undergoing a transformation driven by innovation. Companies like Dunkermotoren, ULMA Packaging, and Marel are spearheading efforts to meet sustainability goals, reduce waste, and enhance precision in processing. These innovations are shaping a more efficient and eco-friendly future for the industry.