Drinktec, which is expecting record participation figures in its 60-year history, boasts of being the world´s leading process technology trade fair for the beverage, fruit juice and liquid food industry, and the biggest global gathering of this sector—a kind of world summit. From small, family-owned firms to global players, anyone who has anything to say in the sector will be at drinktec this September.
The trade fair, which takes place at the Messe München exhibition centre in Munich will take up 14 exhibition halls, covering a total of 150,000 square metres of space and will run from September 11 to 25, 2017 attracting around 1,600 exhibitors and 70,000 visitors with two-thirds of these visitors expected to come from outside Germany.
The entire process chain is represented by companies exhibiting at drinktec this year including process technology, containers and packing materials, filling and packaging technology, raw materials and ingredients through to process automation, energy systems and PET technology.
drinktec is “an absolute must” for fruit juice manufacturers
drinktec has traditionally been a trade fair of innovations and world premieres. It is where the future is made, especially when it comes to manufacturing solutions that are gentle to the products and flexible process control.
Modern process technology in beverage and fruit juice production is the intelligent interaction of individual components and systems and is a key factor in meeting consumers’ needs for quality, pleasure, variety and health benefits on the one hand and to give manufacturers innovation that allows them to work economically and flexibly and conserves resources on the other. Exhibitors will present the latest product solutions that strike that balance.
Elaborate process technology makes it possible to gently process raw materials under production conditions that have been optimised for hygiene. Processes such as micro and ultrafiltration ensure higher nutritional values—which has an immediately noticeable positive impact on consumers’ health. After all, when it comes to beverage consumption, there is a growing focus on health aspects. This also includes the separate handling of juice and fruit pieces in process technology when dealing with extremely healthy and flavourful juices. It starts with product handling and continues until the bottling process. This is a good example of systematic thinking, which must cover each and every aspect of beverage production and is showcased by the all-encompassing range of exhibits at drinktec.
Process technology will be addressed at the exhibitors’ stands as well as in the fair’s supporting programme. This includes the drinktec Forum, where leading experts from research and practice will make presentations that examine the industry’s future questions and take a look at the “bigger picture”. Process-technology specialists will also find the exhibition sector on “New Beverage Concepts” in Hall B1 interesting. The marketplace will allow manufacturers to introduce their latest sweetener, colouring and aroma strategies.
Klaus Heitlinger, Managing Director of the Association of the German Fruit Juice Industry, is convinced: “drinktec is an absolute must for fruit juice manufacturers. Technical innovations for processing and bottling fruit juices are presented there for the first time. I’m talking about important processes such as high-pressure pasteurisation or customised single-bottle printing. In short: anyone who wants to see the latest developments in process technology must go to drinktec!”
Resource conservation and efficiency
So, when it comes to process technology, what will await visitors at drinktec this year?
“The efficient use of resources is a must in beverage production. Whether it comes to water, energy or other media used in the production process, the choice of process technology determines resource consumption, and each and every component used can contribute to that,” explains Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association in the German Engineering Federation (VDMA).
The solutions that manufacturers of process technology for non-alcoholic beverages, juice and water have on display at drinktec include entire plants as well as individual units – for example, sugar infeed and processing, de-aeration installations, carbonation plants and pre-mixers as well as containers, tanks and chilling, heating and heat-maintenance plants. Other focal points include components for process technology as well as installations for measurement recording, pumps, fittings, pipelines and pigging systems. Microbiologically safe production calls for variable cleaning concepts that are implemented by introducing various CIP systems. This also includes choosing the right type of water treatment. Should it be reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration or media filtration? These are questions that can be answered in discussions with the exhibitors.
“And, of course, when it comes to the composition of new products, efficiency becomes the focus when rapidly converting production processes,” emphasises Richard Clemens. “Automatic recipe management with a continuous flow of information and a link to process control can ensure highly automated processes and efficient production control—regardless of which ingredients are used in which product. drinktec 2017 will give trade visitors a compact and concentrated look at the entire range of possibilities.”
Highlights from the supporting programme
Special Area New Beverage Concepts, Hall B1: In a special exhibition area in Hall B1 manufacturers of sweeteners, colourants, ingredients, additives and flavourings, treatment agents and recipes will be presenting their new products and solutions. The “Special Area” has an open and interactive design. Product developers, brand managers as well as marketers and buyers will be able to try out new ingredients and beverage concepts at the bar, and also search the flavour providers for new ideas.
Innovation Flow Lounge (IFL): Following its highly successful premiere in 2013, the IFL will be continued in 2017, but with a new concept: leading experts will discuss the topical themes of importance for the future of the industry in the areas of product innovation, packaging and marketing. IFL and the Special Area New Beverage Concepts will have a joint space at the show, so that topics from the area of new beverage concepts, such as beverage ingredients and ideas, are also addressed and dealt with in the IFL.
For more information on drinktec 2017 go to: www.drinktec.com
