With the PPMA packaging and processing event around the corner, the Ishida  equipment and systems group is gearing-up for another return for the annual gathering, reports Neill Barston.

As the Japanese-founded company, which has its European headquarters in Birmingham, UK, noted, this year’s event comes amid rising challenges in terms of delivering sustainable packaging.

In response, the business, which has gained major specialisms in checkweighing and x-ray inspection, has asserted that ‘high throughput and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive,’ as the business prepares to showcase automated solutions for food manufacturers, including those in confectionery and snacking segments.

As the company confirmed, the firm will take its place alongside more than 350 exhibitors across packaging and processing, with its stand at B92. Among its core machinery focuses this year will feature the company’s recently launched QX-800 tray sealer, an entry-level X-ray inspection system, a model from its new checkweigher range, a top-of-the range multihead weigher and its unique Fresh Food Weigher. In addition, a re-circulating system will connect to Ishida’s Sentinel 5.0 AI-powered production monitoring software to simulate live production.

Moreover, the company observed that its drive to deliver heightened levels of productivity and efficiency comes as Extended Producer Responsibility legislation reshapes how UK producers manage packaging materials, while consumers expect brands to support the shift toward a circular economy.

“With markets remaining competitive and manufacturers having to deal with demanding customers, changing consumer demands as well as stringent legislation, the need for ‘right first time’ packaging solutions has never been greater,” said Paul Hitchin, Ishida’s General Sales Manager for the UK. 

“Our exhibits bring together weighing, tray sealing and inspection solutions, designed to reduce waste, boost efficiency, meet retailer compliance and support the transition to more sustainable food production and packaging. Our team will be on hand to discuss specific automation needs and offer guidance on how to future-proof production lines and deliver integrated ‘wall-to-wall’ solutions.”

Furthermore, as the company added, earlier this year at IFFA in Frankfurt, Ishida launched its QX-800 high performance tray sealer, which delivers up to 85 MAP trays per minute (for a 5-tray tool), making the QX-800 ideal for high-volume production lines.

Its compact size saves valuable floor space whilst a 20% reduction in power consumption supports energy efficient machine operation. A new tray transfer system allows smooth tray handling and high sealing accuracy, and tools can be changed in under 10 minutes without the need for manual handling equipment.

The Ishida IX-EN-4093-S X-ray entry-level inspection system on show will demonstrate unrivalled foreign body detection and quality control. The machine can spot a large variety of contaminants at high inspection speeds whilst also identifying damaged and missing products or components, with other additions including its  DACS-GN-S checkweigher, set to feature.

Also on show will be Ishida’s recently launched CCW-AS top-of-the-range multihead weigher which helps manufacturers to achieve the highest weighing speeds whilst maintaining close to 100% accuracy and consistency, thus helping food manufacturers reduce giveaway and increase output and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) whilst delivering a 20% reduction in energy consumption.

“We know manufacturers are under real pressure to do more with less, but Ishida can really step up and help solve many production and packaging challenges. Our equipment is engineered to drive operational efficiency, compliance and sustainability and to ensure uncompromising quality” concludes Paul Hitchin.