Australia’s TNA unveils key robag Quantum processing series at interpack

A major development for TNA Solutions has been unveiled at this year’s interpack event, as it unveils its robag Quantum processing line, delivering key operating speed and efficiency enhancements, writes Neill Barston.

Speaking to Confectionery Production at this year’s event, the company confirmed there had been a notably positive response to its freshly-enhanced line, which has significant potential across a number of sectors including the snacking sector.

As the company noted, since its emergence on the scene in 1982,  it has epnt more than four decades  innovating the robag platform, introducing multiple generations of technology that have continually pushed industry standards forward. 

Consequently, the tna robag Quantum represents the next major leap in this journey, bringing a new level of performance, flexibility and intelligent simplicity to modern food production.

The system has been designed to perform as part of a complete line, to be integrated with distribution and seasoning. It has been forged to support a smarter, more connected production system that helps manufacturers address labour constraints, space limitations and growing product variety without adding unnecessary difficulty.

Commenting to our title, Michael Jonson, CEO of TNA Solutions, said the team had been greatly energised by the release of the new line, as well as several other new critical confectionery-related equipment updates, including enhancements to its pump systems for its mogul lines, as well as improvements for starch handling within gummy processing.

A number of other key developments for confectionery were highlighted by TNA at interpack including new pump systems for its mogul lines. Pic: Neill Barston

In addition, the company is also showcasing enhancements to its virtual reality systems for factory management, which were introduced at the 2023 interpack, and have shown additional evolutions displayed at this year’s event in Dusseldorf this week.

Michael Jonson remarked: “For over 40 years, the tna robag has continuously raised the bar in VFFS packaging through ongoing innovation. Quantum is the latest expression of that journey, built with the same pioneering spirit, and engineered for what the industry needs next.”

Furthermore, as the company noted,  as labour shortages, rising costs and increasing product variety continue to reshape snack production, manufacturers are under pressure to do more with less.

Therefore, the growth of smaller bag sizes and multipacks is adding to that challenge, increasing the number of packs that need to be formed, filled and moved — often without additional labour or factory space.

The tna robag Quantum has been developed to address these pressures with a different approach to capacity. Rather than simply adding more bagmakers to increase output, it is designed to deliver higher output per tube (up to 300 bags per minute, subject to bag, film and product type), helping manufacturers reduce the number of machines required for the same production target and create a more manageable overall line configuration.

For producers, this can translate into significant operational gains, including higher output per tube, fewer machines for the same output and low product and film waste, depending on the application. By reducing the amount of associated infeed and outfeed equipment, manufacturers can also lower maintenance demands, cleaning requirements and total line complexity.

Simon Hill, Group Product Innovation Manager at TNA Solutions, said: “Snack manufacturers are under pressure to produce more packs, more variety and more value, without adding complexity to the factory floor. With the tna robag® Quantum, we are helping producers rethink high-capacity packaging by increasing output per tube rather than simply adding more machines. The result is a simpler, more efficient line that supports higher OEE, lower waste and faster routes to profitability.”

• See our subsequent edition of Confectionery Production for full coverage of interpack, contact Neill Barston at [email protected] with news and views from the event, which runs until 13th May.