Handtmann Brings Three New Technologies to Anuga FoodTec 2024
Handtmann will be presenting the two new Forming Systems FS 501 and FS 503 and the ConProSachet system that packages food products in Notpla’s unique seaweed formulation, eliminating plastic, at the Anuga FoodTec 2024 in Cologne to the international audience.
New FS 503 forming system for retailers and medium-scale production segment
With the new single-lane FS 503 forming system, Handtmann offers retailers as well as medium-scale and industrial producers a production solution that combines variety with maximum economic efficiency. In combination with a Handtmann vacuum filler, it allows the fully automatic production of a wide variety of 3D-shaped products. Many different feed materials, such as meat, meat substitutes as well as fish and fish substitutes, vegetables and vegan/vegetarian products, hybrid meat/vegetables or meat/cheese products, convenience products, dough applications, confectionery, dairy products or pet food can be processed and formed with maximum flexibility.
The gentle portioning and forming process with a minimum of friction surfaces, short product paths and low heat input ensures lasting optimum product quality. A large variety of products from initial products of many different consistencies are reliably portioned and formed to perfection and transferred to the conveyor belt. The gentle portioning process guaranteed by the vane cell feed system in the Handtmann vacuum filler ensures optimum quality for all products in a wide range of consistencies, whether soft, pasty, firm, sensitive or chunky. The result is a consistently appealing product appearance, where, for example, the desired chunky product structure in vegetable products is retained.
The patented 3-way hole plate forming technology allows the production of free-formed 3D products of diameters up to 100 mm. Nearly all 3D product shapes and geometries are possible. As an option, a flattening belt adjustable in height can be used for flattened products of 10 to 55 mm product height (e.g. burgers and patties). Examples of products that are possible with the new forming system include hamburgers like home-made, cevapcici, rissoles, balls, or for vegetarian products vegetable burgers, cheese croquettes or potato burgers. Possible are also all kinds of dumplings, such as potato dumplings, bread dumplings, vegetable dumplings, or soup inserts from sausage meat dumplings and semolina dumplings to liver dumplings. Fish products can also be produced in great variety, including fish balls, fish dumplings, fish burgers or fish rissoles. However, the forming system also gives semolina dumplings, marzipan balls and other dough as well as confectionery their optimum shape. Product changes are quick and easy, thus enabling the economically efficient production of a wide range of products.
The new FS 503 forming system is characterized by a high production output of up to 150 portions per minute. Accurate-to-the-gram weights per product are an additional guarantee for cost-optimized production. Easy operation and cleaning complete the new forming solution.
New FS 501 forming system for variety in the small-scale production segment, gastronomy and food service
Products such as balls and all kinds of dumplings, soup inserts and more add value to food service, gastronomy, lunch services, catering and sales counters. With the new FS 501 forming system, Handtmann now offers a flexible solution for making them that is easily integrated into everyday production. In combination with a Handtmann vacuum filler and with its flexibility in processing many different initial products, this auxiliary device covers a wide range of applications for start-ups, small-scale producers or gastronomy and food service. An automated solution for appetizing products with quality like handmade.
The FS 501 forming system, which can be attached directly to the Handtmann vacuum filler, enables the automatic production of a variety of 3D-shaped products. Many different feed materials, such as meat and fish, vegetables, vegetarian/vegan, hybrid convenience products, dairy products or pet food can be processed and formed with maximum flexibility. Product examples include fish and meat balls or liver dumplings, spinach, potato or bread dumplings, cheese and vegetable balls or soup inserts. However, the forming system also gives semolina dumplings, marzipan balls and other dough as well as confectionery their optimum shape. The gentle portioning process guaranteed by the vane cell feed system in the Handtmann vacuum filler ensures optimum quality for all products in a wide range of consistencies, whether soft, pasty, firm or chunky. The patented 3-way hole plate forming technology allows the production of free-formed 3D products of diameters up to 55 mm. 3D product shapes and geometries include dumplings, balls, sticks and more. Easy adjustment of the FS 501 forming system ensures quick product changes and a high level of reproducibility of all products. At the same time, the new forming system offers a high production output of up to 250 portions per minute. Accurate-to-the-gram weights per portion or product and only minimal wear further ensure cost-optimized production. Easy operation and cleaning complete the new forming solution.
New Handtmann ConProSachet system packages food products in Notpla’s unique seaweed formulation, eliminating plastic
The Handtmann ConProSachet system offers a new process for packaging fluid or pasty food products and food supplements in sachets, using a seaweed-based material, rather than plastic, as a casing. Thanks to a new strategic partnership with Notpla – the creators of this unique seaweed-based material – this novel approach to replacing plastic films helps to reduce plastic. Notpla’s material is made using seaweed, one of nature’s most sustainable resources. Globally abundant and fast-growing, seaweed does not require freshwater, land or fertilizer. It is one of our greatest weapons against climate change – reducing ocean acidification and effectively absorbing carbon. The most significant advantage is that the sachets are edible and can simply be ingested, or disposed of in organic waste after use, because they biodegrade within a few weeks. The strong trend towards take-away and snacking as well as convenience and ready meals renders this particularly relevant in gastronomy and food service, where ready-made sauces, dips, dressings, jams and much more are used packaged in small, individual portions.
The technology of the ConProSachet employs a co-extrusion process that produces Notpla’s seaweed casing material at the same time the product is filled instead of using a pre-fabricated plastic film. A specially shaped co-extrusion head, which first forms a flow pack from the paste-like seaweed-based material, facilitates this process. Then the product is filled. Circulating dividing elements compress the filled flow pack and separate it into a coherent chain of individual portions, the so-called sachets. In the process, the seaweed-based material gels out completely and seals the sachets, which are then separated into individual portions. The sachets are reliably closed thanks to a uniform and precise seal that is only a few tenths of a millimeter thick. The individual process steps from producing the casing to sealing the products are precisely coordinated in terms of both time and space, as the forming and reliable sealing of the ends must take place while the gelling process of the seaweed material has not yet been fully completed. The individual sachets thus created, which are enveloped in an elastic gel casing, can then be further treated and packaged.
The ConProSachet system is designed to be energy efficient, intuitive in handling and easy to convert to different sachet sizes. Conversion is achieved by simply replacing the co-extrusion head and the conveyor belts designed as mold components with dividing elements. The system for the production of sachets on an industrial level was developed in cooperation with Notpla – the UK material innovation company and winner of the Earthshot Prize for environmental innovation. Notpla is an acronym for “not plastic” and the company is committed to the development of all-natural packaging solutions.