Machinery News

  • Choosing heat exchangers for meat and co-products

    Despite increased interest in various plant-based protein products, and greater awareness of the environmental consequences of many intensive livestock systems, global meat consumption continues to rise, driven by population growth, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries as incomes rise. This also means that there is an increase in the number and volume of co-products from meat processing which are also a rich source of high-value edible protein with numerous uses. Therefore, maintaining the quality of meat and meat co-products through careful temperature control and handling is vital to maximise value and minimise waste.   Global meat consumption has risen fivefold since the 1960s, and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) predicts that, ‘Total growth in meat consumption is projected at 47.9 Mt over the next decade.’ Over the same period, per capita consumption is projected to increase by 0.9 kg per capita/year1. Poultry is the most consumed meat globally, followed by pork and then beef and veal. However, regional changes in consumption are changing global trade patterns and markets. The OECD adds that, ‘In high-income countries, consumers are increasingly sensitive to animal welfare, environmental and health concerns, leading in some instances, per capita meat consumption to stagnate.’ Likewise, ‘By 2034, China’s share of global meat imports is set to decline from 20% in the base period to 16%.’ Together these factors mean that global meat processors could face increasing uncertainty in the near future, underlying the need for investment decisions to maximise business efficiency and flexibility.   Technical challenges of meat and co-products Meat and poultry processing operations have always produced a range of co-products and leftover materials, many of which have traditionally been turned into meat, blood and bone meal commodity products for use in animal feed or fertiliser. However, new technologies and a growing population means there is increasing demand for co-products and skimmings, including poultry trimmings, bone, blood and blood plasma, fats and oils, gelatine, mechanically deboned meat (MDM) and other edible protein components. To maximise the usefulness and value of such materials, it is important that processing equipment produces high quality products at low cost, with little waste and minimal energy consumption. Something which is equally true for primary products such as meat slurry and mechanically deboned meat derivatives. Heat exchangers are frequently used for a range of purposes, including heating, cooling, pasteurisation, sterilisation and even evaporation. Their highly viscous nature also means that a phenomenon can occur where two distinct areas of temperature appear in the product. For example, if cooling using a double tube heat exchanger (with the product in the inner tube and the service fluid on the outside), then – if the product does not thoroughly mix as it passes through – a ‘cylinder’ of warmer product may travel down the centre of the tube while the product nearest the outside of the tube becomes increasing cold. Where product needs to be held at a low temperature (for example below 4 °C) and a low temperature cooling medium is utilised, this can result in product at the tube wall freezing, while the material in the centre is not cooled sufficiently. The same phenomenon can also occur in reverse when heating a chilled product.   Scraped surface heat exchangers To overcome this, an annular space heat exchanger (such as the HRS AS 3 Series) where the service fluid passes down the centre and around the product at the same time, may be considered instead of a double tube heat exchanger (like the HRS DTA Series). However, the AS Series is not suitable for products containing particles or pieces. This means that scraped surface heat exchangers are often the most suitable option when handling meat products. It is important to choose a heat exchanger that combines gentle handling of the product with thorough mixing (to prevent the phenomenon described above). Heat exchangers for meat and meat co-products also need to be robust enough to withstand heavy duty use, which is why HRS Heat Exchangers developed the RHD Series of rotary scraped surface heat exchangers with an adapted internal scraper configuration and heavy-duty gearbox to withstand the higher torque required to keep such products moving, particularly at very low temperatures. The high velocity scrapers of the RHD Series and R Series help increase heat transfer, resulting in a heat exchanger with a smaller surface area, lower working pressures, smaller footprint, and lower capex compared with other designs. The scraper bar and helical screw within the tube of the R Series can also be configured (depending on installation type) to run in reverse, effectively emptying the heat exchanger tubes of product without damaging it or changing its characteristics, helping to minimise product losses from cleaning-in-place (CIP), product change overs, etc.   In other situations, and for other meat products, a reciprocating scraped surface heat exchanger, such as the HRS Unicus Series, may be more suitable. The Unicus Series is ideal for a wide range of difficult meat products and meat waste streams and is available with a wide range of scraper types, providing even more choice for applications from cooling to sterilizing and everything in between. The HRS Unicus Series is particularly useful for handling viscous food products where texture and consistency are important attributes. For example, some meat mixtures may shear or break apart when subjected to too much pressure and speed, making them unusable. The Unicus means that effective heat transfer can be carried out at low pressure overcoming such problems. Some of the practical uses of the Unicus Series include cooling chicken viscera and pet food ingredients, cooling MDM and heating or cooling blood.   For media enquiries about HRS Heat Exchangers please contact FastLoop Media: [email protected]   Bev Small, FastLoop Media T +44 (0) 7901 841491 E [email protected] Kate O’Reilly, FastLoop Media T +44 (0)7894 039 609 E [email protected] W www.fastloopmedia.com More

    Industry News

  • StePacPPC’s Advanced Packaging Extends Global Access of Dragon Fruit

    Xtend® MA/MH packaging preserves freshness and appearance of tropical fruits during long ocean transport to global markets    Tefen, Israel- StePacPCC, a world leader in innovative Modified Atmosphere Packaging solutions (MAP) for fresh produce, has developed a new packaging solution for preserving the freshness and vibrant appearance of the tropical fruit pitaya (dragon fruit) during the typically lengthy journey from Ecuador to the US and Europe. StePacPPC’s technical experts adapted the company’s advanced Xtend® Modified Atmosphere/Modified Humidity (MA/MH) bulk packaging films to accommodate the unique postharvest requirements of pitaya so that the exotic fruit reaches customers in peak quality and appearance. Pitaya is native to Central and South America, and lauded for its striking bright colors, sweet tropical flavor and reputation as a health boosting superfruit naturally brimming with antioxidants and vitamins. Yet, pitaya must contend with multiple challenges during sea shipment to destination markets around the world, a journey that can stretch to three weeks or more. High respiration rates, moisture loss, and susceptibility to microbial decay can all compromise fruit quality, beginning just days after harvest. “South American pitaya growers often struggle to reach distant markets with this high-demand delicacy,” informs Gary Ward, Ph.D., CTO for StePacPPC. “Even under optimal cold chain conditions, the long sea freight from Ecuador to North America and Europe takes its toll on the delicate fruit, resulting in weight loss, shriveling of the skin and the bracts, a dulling of the characteristic brightly colored peel, accompanied on occasion by microbial decay. These factors reduce the fruit’s appeal and marketability by the time it arrives at its’ destination. Most importantly, they negatively impact quality and freshness.”   The new packaging solution balances oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations and provides moisture control to protect the pitaya during extended storage and shipment. The packaging reduces dehydration, reduces the respiration rate of the fruit and inhibits microbial decay, thereby slowing fruit deterioration. StePacPPC’s Xtend® packaging is proving to be instrumental in preserving the vibrant color and glossy appearance of the decorative pitaya, while preserving the firmness of the protruding bracts which is a key indicator of quality and freshness that tends to curl and wilt when dehydrated. Development of the specialized film by StePacPPC’s global R&D team took over three years and involved frequent visits and close cooperation with Pitaya exporters to fine-tune and optimize the postharvest handling, packaging design, and overall performance of the new solution.   The Science of Freshness StePacPPC’s packaging technology is based on the principles of modified atmosphere packaging, effectively slowing down the respiration rate, inhibiting the production and action of ethylene gas (responsible for ripening and aging processes), and suppressing microbial decay. A key differentiator of StePacPPC is its broad range of film structures, all incorporating antifog properties and a range of water vapor transmission rates (WVTR). This enables precise moisture management tailored to specific produce requirements, balancing mitigation of microbial decay risk with prevention of excessive weight loss while maintaining excellent product visibility. In combination with the optimized modified atmosphere, these features significantly extend the shelf life of tropical fruits beyond that achievable with conventional packaging solutions. “This breakthrough has created new opportunities for exporters, enabling them to reach more distant markets with fruit arriving in prime condition. This applies not only to Ecuador and South America but to other key producing regions, including Southeast Asia—a major hub for the cultivation and export of dragon fruit,” adds Ward. “The success in Ecuador epitomizes the way that StePacPPC identifies fresh produce pain points and then works with its customers to forge a new packaging paradigm.” MAP Packaging keeps tropical fruit vibrant and fresh This pitaya tailored packaging film is the most recent newcomer to StePacPPC’s portfolio of packaging solutions already experiencing momentum for their successful shipments of other tropical fruits, including bananas, passion fruit, lychee, longan, rambutan, mango, and papaya. StePacPPC’s Xtend® bulk and Xgo™ flow-pack retail packaging for passion fruit are already an industry standard for shipments going from Colombia to the USA and Europe. This packaging actively extends the shelf life of passion fruit and significantly enhances its ability to survive weeks-long cold-chain shipment, slowing down the ripening process and minimizing the risk of common peel defects such as wrinkles and mold. StePacPPC’s preformed bulk and retail bags are also being used extensively in South Africa for packaging and shipping green bananas. The bananas are then ripened in the sealed bag and the modified atmosphere slows the ripening process, providing more leeway for distribution of fruit packed in bulk packaging and a broader window of consumption for bananas packed in retail packaging. “StePacPPC is at the forefront of packaging technology for fresh produce,” proclaims Ward. “We custom design lean packaging that can preserve the freshness of tropical fruits for weeks on end. This is a game changer, as it accommodates longer storage, ensures smarter, more cost-effective logistics, dramatically improves quality ,reduces food waste, and unlocks new markets for this highly demanded category of fruits.” Meet us at Fruit Logistica 2026, Berlin, February 4-6, hall 5.2a, booth #C-30   Company Contact: StePacPPC Ms. Hila Nagel Marketing Communications Tel: +972.4.612.3500 [email protected]  www.StePacppc.com  More

    Exhibition News

  • Paper Vietnam 2026 - A Journey Connecting Vietnam’s Paper Industry With The World

    Paper Vietnam 2026 has long been recognized as a trusted meeting point for businesses, experts, and investors in the paper, pulp, and related industries. More than just a showcase for technologies and raw materials, the exhibition serves as a bridge that enables Vietnamese enterprises to expand partnerships, stay updated with global trends, and affirm their position on the international paper industry map.   Paper Vietnam 2026 - The start to the present Since its launch in 2011, Paper Vietnam has successfully organized numerous editions with strong support from both domestic and international stakeholders. In 2025, the 12th edition took place at SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, featuring more than 150 exhibitors from various countries and a gross exhibition space of around 2,500 m². Throughout the years, Paper Vietnam has continuously expanded in both scale and quality, attracting more and more international businesses, specialized visitors and B2B networking sessions. By 2026, Paper Vietnam promises to continue to be a vibrant international meeting place, where many businesses and participating countries converge.   Event Overview of Paper Vietnam 2026 Paper Vietnam 2026, the international exhibition on pulp and paper, will be held from 10 - 12 June 2026 at SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This annual event in Vietnam focuses on the paper industry, covering paper products, raw materials & chemicals, as well as machinery & equipment. It is designed exclusively for manufacturers, equipment suppliers, engineers, specialists, distributors, and international partners seeking solutions, technologies, and business opportunities in the paper sector. Paper Vietnam 2026 reaffirms its position as a key trade platform for the paper industry in Vietnam and the region. The event gathers a wide range of international exhibitors and industry professionals, providing a sustainable foundation for businesses to network, share expertise, stay updated on the latest trends, and expand global partnerships, contributing to the sustainable growth of the entire industry.   Paper Vietnam 2026 - Market Outlook for Vietnam & Beyond Several key figures and trends highlight the robust growth of Vietnam's paper industry:   Vietnam’s pulp & paper trade: Vietnam’s paper industry continues to record strong growth, with export turnover surpassing USD 2.7 billion in 2024, maintaining a stable annual growth rate of 10-12%. On the other hand, according to VNBIS, imports reached approximately USD 2.24 billion, up by around 13.1% compared to the previous year. This indicates that Vietnam remains dependent on imports, although exports are also sustaining steady growth. In addition, during the first eight months of 2024, Vietnam imported about 1.64 million tons of paper (all types), with a total value of around USD 1.45 billion, an increase of roughly 17% in volume compared to the same period last year.   Vietnam’s packaging & paperboard market: Reports show that the paper packaging segment was valued at around USD 2.6 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 4.5 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.73%. Growing demand for eco-friendly solutions, along with stricter environmental regulations in global markets, is creating new opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to export recycled and sustainable paper packaging, while also meeting increasing domestic consumption. In short, the parallel development of domestic demand and international trade is solidifying Vietnam’s role in the global paper supply chain while unlocking new opportunities for businesses both locally and abroad.   Exhibition Registration Information For more details, please contact Minh Vi Exhibition and Advertising Services Co., Ltd. (VEAS): Phone: (+84) 28 3848 8561 Email: [email protected] Website: https://paper-vietnam.com/ Date: 10-12 June 2026 Fax: (+84) 28 3848 8564 More

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