Top 8 New Food Manufacturing Trends for 2023

Like all other industries, the food industry is constantly changing. The trends can be simple or complex and cover everything from how the facility works to how the food is prepared. Industries experience growth, can scale and produce better results when they adopt innovative technologies Discover the latest developments in this space and take the corresponding measures.

An overview of the food machinery market

The global food processing market was valued at 45.01 million USD in 2019 at 62.98 and is forecast to reach 4.4 million USD by 2027, showing a CAGR of XNUMX%. Food manufacturing and processing equipment are semi-automatic and automatic; however, there is an increasing demand for the latter. This is because it is efficient, saves time and money, and has a high production capacity.

The growing demand for processed foods such as poultry, meats and bakery products, among others, is driving the machinery market. In addition, the expansion of food manufacturing facilities in Asia and Africa has driven the growth of the food processing machinery market. Scroll further to explore the eight trends shaping the food processing industry.

Main novelties in the food machinery sectorIncreased reliance on automation and IoT connectivity

Although the food industry has a history of being conservative in adopting new technologies solutions, upgrading to new technologies will be a priority in 2023. The implementation of new tools in the industry will continue to grow as these processes increase productivity, optimize workflow, improve margins and eliminate existing barriers.

Since the food industry is experiencing a significant labor shortage in the wake of the pandemic, there will be a greater shift towards automation. This shortage has put pressure on technology solution providers to design innovative solutions. strategies for providing quality customer service and employing fewer people on-site. The role of robotics will be fundamental to mitigate labor shortages and increase efficiency.

More companies are adopting robotics technology as the cost has decreased slightly since 2018 and the ROI has made a lot of financial sense. The pandemic accelerated the growth of automation, and robotics orders increased by 56% in 2020 compared to the previous year. For the first time in history, a non-automotive sector surpassed the automotive industry in terms of orders. However, costs are still high and remain the most important barrier to large-scale implementation.

Cobots: Cobots, or collaborative robots, are the latest trend in the automation of the food industry. They are economical and convenient because they do not use industrial-level electricity. They are also in great demand, and most of those planning to purchase robots choose a COBOT. These machines increase productivity, improve worker safety and reduce operating costs. They can also be programmed to perform various tasks, such as processing, packaging and distribution.

Machine Vision: Machine vision is another popular automation tool that uses lasers to check the dimensions of the packaging. This technology can also perform quality control to detect problems such as open or irregular containers. If the vision machine detects such problems on one line, the item will be moved to another line and therefore will not leave for delivery. This technology offers fast, efficient and reliable solutions.

Innovative drainage systems

Improving safety and sanitation are always the top priorities in food and beverage processing facilities. Moderna drainage systems provide advanced sanitary solutions to prevent stagnant water and the growth of bacteria. The latest drainage system is made of durable food-safe stainless steel, which makes it resistant to temperature, corrosion, odor and bacteria.

Moderna systems are also built to withstand heavy forklift traffic and high flow rates. The best part is that slot drains are easy to clean and maintain because they have many cleaning.

Updating outdated processing techniques

The food industry can never abandon the tried and tested technical solutions, so they are constantly updating and modernizing them. Fermentation is a process that has seen a significant resurgence due to the high demand for fermented beverages and foods.

The ancient method of fermentation involved mixing fruits with salt and wild rice in containers and letting them ferment in small batches. This process was refined over time to remove undesirable ingredients.

With precision temperature controls, state-of-the-art analysis tools, and other devices, the technology now makes large batch fermentation simpler and faster, helping to meet the growing demand while prioritizing safety and quality.

Reducing food waste

Because a large part of the food produced globally is lost or wasted, the reduction of food waste is a pressing problem in the food service industries. Large corporations are looking for ways to make waste reduction a standard operating procedure, reducing costs and reducing environmental impact.

Food monitoring systems will help producers and restaurants keep track of their inputs and reduce food waste. Others focus on zero-waste solutions: companies seek to reuse food waste to generate value and increase customer interest in sustainability. 3D food printing solutions, for example, use food waste to print edible food products in food establishments and restaurants.

An increase in products of plant origin

Over the past 15 years, plant-based diets have increased by 300% in the United States, and plant-based products are expected to grow in popularity in the coming years. The global retail market is projected to grow from 29.4 USD 2020 million in 162 to 2030 USD XNUMX million for XNUMX.

As consumer preferences evolve, manufacturing technologies will also have to adapt. While many companies have implemented solutions to meet the growing demand for plant-based foods, new techniques are needed to develop and process food efficiently.

In addition, crop-based proteins, although they have not yet become widespread, are gaining ground and are an excellent alternative to plant-based proteins.

Sustainable and smart packaging

As more people become concerned about climate change, there will be an increased demand for products that leave minimal footprints. Many manufacturers are responding by becoming more environmentally conscious and trying to replace energy derived from fossil fuels with renewable energy.

A trend that will continue to grow and expand is sustainable packaging, where the preference will be to reduce plastic and replace it with recyclable and biodegradable alternatives.

Many EU countries have banned single-use plastic products, and others will gradually follow suit. Some companies offer edible packaging made of food-safe polymers, such as seaweed that is safe for consumption. On the other hand, biodegradable packaging is made of polymer-derived plastic that naturally degrades over time.

In China, packaging machinery manufacturers such as ELITER Packaging Machinery at www.eliter-packaging.com, is looking to develop sustainable packaging automation and packaging machine to follow the trend of sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging.

Nanopacking is the newest type of smart packaging, which uses nanotechnology to detect microbial changes in food. This technology is used to determine whether food is safe or at risk of spoilage.

Direct osmosis

Concentration techniques are used to keep food fresh enough until it reaches consumers. The CSIRO organization in Australia has developed a new conservation technique that uses membrane technology to concentrate liquids in a process known as reverse osmosis.

Osmosis is a gentler process that concentrates food with less energy and without heat. This helps the food retain its nutrients, such as vitamins and proteins, throughout the manufacturing process. Compared to traditional concentration methods, this results in higher quality products.

Transparency and advanced food safety

There have been numerous cases of food-related recalls in recent years, particularly for poultry, meat and lettuce, for reasons such as E. coli and other safety concerns. Because these staples have been repeatedly recalled, consumers and manufacturers have a sense of uncertainty and distrust. To challenge these notions, many companies are transparent and directly address consumers about what happens to their products. Open communication is essential to gain the trust and respect of consumers.

Innovative solutions for long-term success

Every year, food technology evolves, which has a significant and long-term impact on the market. Innovation in sustainability will grow along with automation and waste reduction practices.

In addition, the shortage of labor will pave the way for robots, which will lead to lasting changes in the manufacture and sale of food.

Zixin Yuan - Digital Marketing Coordinator at ÉLITER Packaging Machinery Website: https://www.eliter-packaging.com