Cutting edge manufacturing technologies developed in conjunction with Britain's top research institutes will be among the features of the revitalised Foodex Meatex show at the NEC in Birmingham next month (March 19-22).
Special features covering processing, packaging and health and safety will complement over 300 exhibitors and a wide-ranging free seminar programme. The first day - Independents' Day - will feature two sausage competitions and a cold pie competition aimed at manufacturers.
A seminar on Monday March 20 sponsored by Food Manufacture will look at the future of manufacturing, focusing on the blurring of the boundary between processing and packaging. It will kick off with the Processing and Packaging Machinery Manufacturers' Association outlining the challenges facing the food industry. Other sessions will examine intelligent packaging and nanotechnology, shelf-ready packaging and radio frequency identification.
The Food and Drink Tomorrow feature, supported by the Food Processing Knowledge Transfer Network (FPKTN) and others, will demonstrate novel processes such as spinning disk reactor technology, advanced automation and robotics. It will also offer expert advice from 'technology translators' to help improve efficiency, while providing solutions to real production problems.
The Pack-it feature will expand on the theme of processing meets packaging. It is supported by the packaging research organisation PIRA, the Institute of Packaging, British Brands Group, International Agriculture Technology Centre and the FPKTN.
Foodex Meatex is part of Food and Drink World 2006, which also includes Food & Drink Expo and the Convenience Retailing Show. A single ticket will give entry to all the shows. Food and Drink World 2006 is organised by William Reed, publisher of Food Manufacture.
For details and free tickets call 0870 429 4664 or register online at http://www.foodexmeatex.co.uk.