42 Technology and Gabler join forces

42 Technology has partnered with Gabler GmbH & Co KG to help Mondelēz International make a dramatic improvement in the efficiency of its chewing gum manufacturing process.

The two companies have pooled their resources and complementary expertise to develop a new generation of high speed cooling tunnels that are helping Mondel?z to significantly increase production throughput, reduce work in progress by 60 per cent, and to further optimise downstream processing and packaging.

The company’s chewing gum brands include: Trident, Dentyne, Clorets, Hollywood, Dirol, Stimorol and First.

42 Technology was appointed by Mondelēz International to work with Gabler to bring a fresh perspective and drawing on its extensive experience in cooling technologies, fluid dynamics and process improvement for the food and drink sector.

The aim was to identify new ways of using combined conductive and convective cooling technologies to help speed up the cooling of extruded gum before it is scored, shaped and moves into the conditioning phase.

Miles van Niekerk, associate director, new process development at Mondelēz International, says: “The new high speed cooling tunnels, which have now been installed in three global locations highlight the significant commercial benefits of bringing together partners with complementary skills.

“42 Technology and Gabler have joined forces to develop a real breakthrough in cooling performance that has helped Mondelēz to set a new efficiency benchmark.

“The new tunnels have significantly shortened the time needed for gum cooling and conditioning, one of the most time consuming steps in the manufacturing process and are also 40 per cent smaller than the equipment they replace.”

In addition to helping design the new cooling tunnel, 42 Technology has also advised Mondelēz International on a number of other opportunities to further optimise process efficiency through improved control of temperature, humidity and other environmental factors.