See Latest Product Inspection Technology at ProPak Asia

Producers of ProPak Asia, a top international processing and packaging event, cites a “backdrop of growing consumer demand, high GDP growth rates, increasing exports, the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and a 23 year history,” for the reasons they are adding an additional exhibition hall this year.

“Market conditions are set to improve further as the AEC takes shape to unite 700 million consumers in 10 countries with a projected GDP of over US$3 trillion,” they say on their website. “In response international technology suppliers are establishing and expanding businesses to satisfy the increase in demand and using ProPak Asia as the regional exhibition to meet industry and conduct serious business.”

Asia’s rapidly expanding food and beverage market is good news for the food processing companies. However, to avoid bad news, they need to make sure that all that growth does not compromise their quality control procedures and cause contamination problems.

Emerging markets such as China and India, influenced by western food habits, are seeing rises in spending on processed, microwaveable, snack and on-the-go foods. As we discussed in Packaging Trends Have Ripple Effect on Machinery, these food trends affect food packaging demands because they may require new packaging materials, new packaging machinery, and new inspection equipment – or at least new procedures and methods throughout the plant.

Metal detection systems provide protection from many types of metal contaminants encountered in food production today. Basic magnetics, electronics and software technology help detect contaminants in package and process applications before products reach the customer’s shelves.

Snack bags with foil lining to keep chips fresh means metal detectors are not the best choice for packaged product inspection, and companies may have to upgrade to x-ray inspection systems. X-ray systems can ‘ignore’ the packaging and find virtually any substance that is denser or sharper than the object containing it.

Another quality control issue is ensuring throughput and legal requirements are met while providing reliable weight control. A checkweigher classifies, counts and rejects products that are off spec, which helps confirm that all the intended pieces are included in the final package. It also helps ensure that the weight of a packaged product being shipped out the door matches the weight on the label. The need for additional packaged product inspection equipment will rise as manufacturers realize they need to be more efficient.

Just like the growth of the industry, the show itself is growing. Last year, ProPak Asia attracted almost 40,000 visitors from 72 countries and they are expecting an even bigger crowd this year. Over 1,800 exhibitors from 45 countries will be exhibiting.

According to the show press release, the new ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is a major influence in industry:

“The new ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was born on 31 December 2015. The AEC aims to establish a more globally-competitive single market and boost economic ties between the countries through reducing tariffs and allowing a freer flow of labour and capital across nations. ASEAN’s 10 economies – Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Brunei – are a growing force in global affairs. With a gross domestic product of US$2.6 trillion, the AEC is the seventh-largest economy in the world. With a population of more than 620 million, it is the third largest in Asia after China and India. Regional trends in economic integration, export competitiveness and inbound investment for industries including agribusiness noted that the AEC is coming at a time when it is recognised that investment in emerging markets is more desirable than in the US and Europe. Ongoing discussions between the US and ASEAN members regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) also increase the awareness and potential of this exciting and dynamic region.”

With this upward trend, it is time for the ASEAN communities to look closely at their food safety and quality requirements and make sure that the fast growth doesn’t result in a spike in contaminants or recalls.

If you are attending the show make sure you stop by the Tomco Automatic Machinery Works Ltd. booth at Stand 3501, Hall 103. Our experts in product inspection will be demonstrating how the latest in metal detection, X-ray inspection, and checkweighing technology can help support the quality and safety of your packaged products while reducing product effect and costly waste caused by false rejects

Can’t make it to the show? Visit us at http://www.thermoscientific.com/productinspection to learn more about packaged product inspection for the food industry. You can also follow the show twitter posts ‏@ProPak__Asia

Hope to see you there!

Show Details:
PROPAK Asia 2016
The 24^th International Processing and Packaging Technology Event for Asia
Wednesday 15 – Saturday 18 June
Tomco Automatic Machinery Works Ltd. Booth
Stand 3501, Hall 103
Bangkok, Thailand