On the Mark #12

On the Mark #12: From intelligent packaging to capturing factory heat waste and more

Catching up on interesting news and innovations in production, packaging and more

On the Mark #12 Graphic

Most surveyed brands yet to utilize active and intelligent packaging.

According to the 2022 PMMI Business Intelligence report, “Meat, Poultry, Seafood, and Alternative Proteins: Automation, Expansion, Sanitation,” 69% of consumer packaged goods (CPGs) do not yet use intelligent packaging – and most of those CPGs don’t have plans to implement the technology in the future. The 31% of respondents who are currently using intelligent or active packaging features tend to gravitate to interactive QR codes. QR codes are often used to tell a brand or product story, for marketing purposes, to share coupons or other reasons. But intelligent packaging can address many of the concerns that consumers have today, namely, transparent and clean labeling. Consumers are looking for products with enhanced value and function and want assurances that products are authentic and safe. Source: Packworld.com

12 key takeaways for welding automation.

Automation is at a tipping point for the welding industry. So, at a recent FABTECH conference, a panel of industry experts discussed a variety of considerations when adding automation to metal fabrication businesses. For example, there are different categories of automation to understand—from fixed automation to flexible automation and collaborative robots—each offering its own unique functionality and benefits. In addition, business leaders must consider the needs of employees. Experts agree that automation can address skills gaps in the workforce and create new jobs and career opportunities. They recommend identifying an automation champion and starting with some quick, small wins, such as automating a mundane task that employees are happy to give up. It’s important to initiate a training program to get employees on board and up to speed and have ROI metrics in place to ensure cost savings are occurring while improving quality, reducing scrap and more. Source: thefabricator.com.

Food traceability technologies: 7 things to know.

Food traceability documents the journey of food products through every step of the supply chain, making it a foundational component to improving food safety. Staying informed and up to date on the technology that makes traceability possible is critical for food brands and packaging professionals. According to a recent study, technology used in food traceability is projected to grow significantly by 2030 and is expected to reach $29.43 billion. New technologies will continue to be introduced to improve efficiency and accuracy, such as smart labels and blockchain-enabled track-and-trace systems. Other drivers of food traceability technology include the increasing number of global trade partners, the rising importance of emerging markets in food traceability such as Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia, and a growing demand for sustainable food products and more. Source: packagingdigest.com.

Using excess heat to power industry.

Factories, data centers and wastewater facilities all produce large amounts of heat waste that could be tapped as a reusable energy source. In fact, in a recent report by Danfoss, a global supplier of power, heating/cooling, drives, sensors and pump technologies, the industrial sector accounts for 39% of all global energy related carbon emissions. According to Astrid Mozes, president of regions at Danfoss, “excess heat is the world’s largest untapped source of energy – and the U.S. is sitting on a gold mine of excess heat.” The company uses smart monitoring technologies to turn waste heat from factory production back into the plant which also delivers energy savings to air conditioning systems. This process ultimately has lowered its carbon emissions and have led to a 24% increase of heating energy productivity in three years and a savings of more than €300,000 in energy bills. Source: automationworld.com.