Stricter industry regulations and changing end-user demands are requiring food manufacturers to adjust their production processes and equipment. For example, growing consumer interest in new flavors for dairy products and baby food is prompting change in the industry as well as the need for a greater variety of pack styles and sizes. Additionally, dairy consumption in China and India is expected to rise significantly as these products are becoming a part of consumers’ daily diet. To keep up with the increasing demand as well as the broader variety in packaging, manufacturers are seeking new hygienic filling and packaging technologies able to handle growing volumes, various package sizes, and greater product diversity while complying with more rigorous legislation.
An additional major factor for modernizing filling and packaging equipment in operation is the growing need for food with extended shelf life (ESL). This is driven by consumer demands for food safety and product quality, burgeoning populations in harder to reach areas as well as the push to reduce product and material waste due to the global focus on sustainability. In the vast territories of India and China, for instance, it is common to transport packaged goods over long distances to remote areas. This is especially challenging when only a limited or even no cooling chain is available. Consequently, it is crucial for manufacturers to find a way to preserve their food products from the production line until the time of consumption.