iba 2018
Automation innovation expected at Europe’s biggest bakery trade show
Competition in the bakery and snacks industries today is fierce, resulting in smaller profit margins. To offset this, bakers and producers are constantly on the lookout of innovative automation and process optimization.
iba – now in its 24th year as the world’s leading trade fair for confectionaries, bakeries and snacks, pastries, pastry making equipment, packaging materials, packaging solutions and products – offers an excellent platform for companies to showcase their technologies.
The triennial show takes place in Munich, Germany, from September 15-20 and is expected to be busier than previous editions, with a 16% growth, according to the German Bakers’ Confederation, sponsor of the event.
Witt (Hall B1 Stand 258)
Bread and baked goods are highly perishable products, and for this reason are often packaged in a modified atmosphere. However, even the smallest leak can result in a mouldy product.
At iba 2018, Witt will be showcasing its Leak-Master series, which can detect leaks in packaging.
Its Leak-Master Mapmax – which can be integrated in the packaging line – employs a fully automated process to test the entire production batch using CO2 sensors.
A vacuum is generated within seconds in the test chamber of the device and leaking packages can be removed from the production line automatically.
Individual packaging, shipping cases and entire boxes and cartons can be tested.
Another cost-effective, entry-level leak detection solution is Leak-Master Easy, which tests the leak-tightness of packages in a water bath.
Compressed air is used to pull a vacuum in the headspace above the water, which then causes leaking air to bubble up to the top of the chamber,
The major advantage of this method is that the quality tester quickly and easily determines at what point the product is leaking.
The Easy is now available in seven different chamber sizes that cover practically all modern packaging dimensions.
Global gas technology manufacturer Witt-Gasetechnik is a leading specialist in the modified atmosphere packaging market. Alongside its leak detection devices, Witt is also exhibiting a range of gas analysers, which can determine the correct modified atmosphere composition in packaging.
Ammeraal Beltech (Hall A4 Stand 270)
The global supplier of process and conveying solutions is launching the Ammeraal Beltech Ropanol EM 8/2 0+00 light blue AS FG belt at IBA.
According to the company, the system can make a real contribution to dough quality while providing cost savings and a visual detection of any contamination at the same time.
The blue belt color makes efficient cleaning easier than the traditional white belts and it complies with EC1935/2004, EU10/2011 and FDA food standards.
Another innovation to be highlighted at IBA is Ammeraal Beltech Soliflex PRO mini – a versatile belting solution.
Made from a single layer of abrasion-resistant homogeneous plastic, it cannot fray and contaminate food. It is a positive drive belt, driven by lugs, or mini teeth, while its compact small-diameter sprocket system makes it virtually maintenance-free. It also requires reduced energy levels for efficient running.
The Soliflex PRO mini can be installed on existing conveyors, and can even be cleaned in motion with minimal use of water and detergent.
Nord Drive Systems (Hall B4 Stand 111)
The newcomer to iba will be exhibiting its hygiene-friendly drive units.
Nord’s lightweight, corrosion-resistant units encase smooth motors, frequency inverters and motor starters in washdown-optimised cast aluminium housings, providing an economical alternative to stainless steel geared motors.
The units can be controlled individually in order to regulate, for example, the kneading and conveyor speed, to prevent blockages or control the dough process. They are also service and maintenance friendly due to their modular structure and plug-in capability.
Nord has developed the nsd tupH anti-corrosion treatment, which provides similar corrosion-resistance as stainless steel, and ensures the drives can easily withstand contact with a great variety of aggressive media or high-pressure steam washing.
IPCO (Hall A6 Stand 131)
The belt manufacturer will use this year’s IBA to highlight the production benefits of its solid and perforated steel bake oven belts.
IPCO, previously operating as Sandvik Process Systems and now an independent company within the Sweden-based Wallenberg group, developed its first bake oven belt for use in a continuously operating bake oven in 1925.
Today the company produces a variety of bake oven belts, working closely with oven builders to ensure maximum operational reliability and, in turn, productivity.
Among the key benefits of a solid or perforated bake oven is the ability to produce multiple product types on a single line, from cookies to crackers; part-baked bread to energy bars.
IPCO’s manufacturing capabilities enable the production of bake oven belts from 800mm to 3500mm wide, meaning wide bake ovens can be used to increase production.
Solid and perforated bake oven belts also offer lower maintenance, easier cleaning and a substantially longer working life than other belt materials.
IPCO will also be displaying its salt-based QuickCleaner system, which offers a fast and safe way of removing carbon residues and potentially hazardous acrylamide from steel belt conveyors used in bake ovens.
A combination of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and calcium phosphate is blasted onto the moving belt, removing the bulk of the residue without damaging the steel. The chemical action of the salt cleaner then attacks the organic residues at a molecular level, further enhancing the cleaning. A built-in suction hood removes the cleaning material from the belt as part of the same process.
Reading Bakery Systems (Hall B1 Stand 234)
RBS will be featuring several new baking technologies and snack systems at iba 2018, including the Exact Mixing HDX continuous mixing system for buns.
The Exact Mixing HDX (High Development) Continuous Mixing System is ideal for products such as buns, breads, rolls and English muffins. The mixer, which has a redesigned high-speed developer, is proven to create more consistent color and height in buns and rolls.
RBS will also be giving away a new Scorpion Food Safety System at IBA 2018 to one lucky show attendee. This system simplifies the Kill Step Validation of the baking process, allowing bakers to collect five product core temperature measurements and automatically generate the KSV Lethality report.
Bühler and Haas (Hall A6, Booth 361/371)
Haas and Bühler – which have been a unit for almost a year – will come together to present themselves as a center of competence at iba 2018.
For the first time, Bühler will be presenting the ContiMix, a continuous twin-screw extruder, which combines two crucial processes in the industrial production of bakery goods: mixing of the ingredients and kneading of the dough.
Haas will be displaying its SWAKT-ECO, a wafer-baking oven with a revolutionary, eco-friendly heating concept, which reduces gas consumption by up to 25% and gives off 90% fewer emissions.
Theegarten-Pactec, and Winkler and Dünnebier Süßwarenmaschinen (Hall A6 Stand 457)
At iba 2018, Theegarten-Pactec will share a booth with of its longstanding partner Winkler and Dünnebier Süßwarenmaschinen, a manufacturer of confectionery machines.
Both companies have worked together for decades and have completed a large number of joint projects.
As system suppliers, they construct complete solutions for snack and confectionery producers, from manufacture of the product through to primary packaging.
At IBA, Dresden-based Theegarten-Pactec will be presenting its portfolio for primary packaging for snacks.
The fourth generation family-owned company combines more than 20 different types of packaging with a broad performance spectrum from low-speed (up to 500 pieces per minute) to 2,300 pieces per minute.
Apart from individual machines, the company also offers complete packaging lines as a turnkey partner.
Unicorn Ingredients (Hall A4 Stand 571)
The UK-based ingredients provider will be showcasing its premium range of seeds and grains sourced from around the globe.
The company’s seed range includes sesame seeds (both natural and hulled), poppy seeds, pumpkin kernels, sunflower kernels, linseed (golden and brown), buckwheat, millet (hulled and flakes) and Nigella seeds. It also has a specialist product range, including seed blends, organic seeds, Chia, pine nuts and quinoa.
Unicorn has contract cleaning and blending facilities around Europe and Asia, with preferred partners in each of the 34 countries it operates.
As product and service quality are paramount for Unicorn – the company has received the BRC Global Standard for Agents and Brokers certification as well as the Soil Association Organic certification – its partners are rigorously approved before it starts doing business with them.
“As we continue to expand, our strong global relationships with producers and our intelligent approach to the supply chain means you can rely on us to make sure your business has a consistent supply of premium quality, farm-traceable ingredients,” said Horan.
