The FoodEx and Agri Tech India concurrent events concluded in Bengaluru on 30 August 2017. The event presented Southern India with an array of innovative, high-speed, power-saving and tailor-made packaging and allied technologies and machinery.
Held at the International Exhibition Centre, was dedicated to specific categories like meat, snack and beverage, and grain; while Agro Tech had concurrent events dedicated to dairy, poultry, flora and fauna and crops and fertilizers. The combined events provided farm-to-fork coverage of technologies.
Grain packaging
K Ravi, managing director of Hassia Packaging shared, “We usually look forward to interact more with grain-related clients and FoodEx is one such event where we engage and build new associations with clients in Southern India.” Hassia Packaging displayed its NetScale, a newly developed machinery known for its high-speed weighing and accuracy. Ravi also informed that the machine can weigh as much as 3.5-ton packs accurately per hour and claims Hassia as one of the pioneers to develop such a technology. “We have many technologies which need an innovative touch. This may bring out more efficiency and better productivity” he added.
Several other grain packaging solutions included woven bags, plastic bags, and jute bags ranging between 1 and 20 kilograms. Solutions included printed bags for Basmati rice packaging in UV and spot UV finish, leaving enough space to add graphics to the package instead of the old plain packages. Several exhibitors who displayed their packaging solutions for commodities like rice, sugar and pulses said that the packaging of commodities is now evolving to colored bags and printed graphics giving a glossy feel, which influences the buying decision in supermarkets when it comes to 5, 10 and 20 kilogram bags.
Meanwhile, export commodities such as spices, coffee and tea have a good hold in the domestic market with interesting graphics. However, when it comes to bulk exports, the suppliers are a bit worried as many use plastic as a reliable material for packaging due to its strong load-bearing capacities and being a food-safe material.
Measuring and inspection systems
K Ravi, managing director, HassiaPackaging demonstrating the new
weighing machine NetScale
When it comes to exports, food safety and inspection are crucial. With the growing need of track and trace, food companies have become cautious and more vigilant about their products quality. Hosabettu Mohan, area sales manager, Petro group shared, “We are here with our product to measure the density of various liquids like beverages, concentrates and other liquids which are used to manufacture food and beverages. Our products will enable the user to check whether the density of the liquid is up to the mark or not..” Another major highlight that he talked about was its use as a manual testing equipment apart from the online inspection system. Many labs have a handy manual inspection equipment, which enables them to keep a check and ensure that production is uniform according to the parameters set. He also said that the measuring equipment can be useful for the printing industry for checking the ink density. The company has a lab which they use for testing and attaining results as per defined parameters.
A panel discussion was held titled ‘Innovation in Agriculture,’ as well as a seminar on food processing and renewable energy. The discussion concerned innovations in food processing machinery, making food handling safe, connecting agriculture with food processing (backward linkages), amongst other topics.
Manjit Singh Paul, deputy manager – promotional activities, Bry Air (Asia) Pvt. Ltd., said, “We have seen heavy demand for our flagship product dehumidifiers, which are used now-a-days at printing setups, dairy industries, pharma companies and also in food companies, especially where the food is packed in containers.”
In addition to the Indian supplier companies, there were many global participants from the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Canada, Italy, Germany, Taiwan and China.
