There are many options available for companies wanting to palletise bulk products like bags, bales and sacks. Conventional layer machines and robotic pick-and-place systems are commonplace in many facilities, although they're not always suitable for handling unstable or irregularly shaped packages without some form of modification. This article looks at the pros and cons of these traditional methods in the context of handling bulky, and sometimes unpredictable, packages.

Bonfiglioli HDO-Series Helical Bevel drives have been selected to help Cooperative Bulk Handling upgrade the technology and capacity in its Western Australia grain silos. [ + ]

Saffron is the world's most expensive spice. But as an object of desire it can also be a victim of fraud. A number of ISO standards have been developed to help fight against this fraud and assist quality saffron producers. [ + ]

Two reports from a global collaborative study involving hundreds of investigators from 18 countries are shaking up conventional wisdom around salt consumption. [ + ]

Yearsley Logistics, the UK's largest distributor of frozen foods, is expanding its cold store facilities to create a northern 'Super Hub', where stock will be consolidated for more efficient delivery into major retailers and food service organisations.

Kulen Water, Cambodia's first mineral water plant, selected SIPA to install a SFL 6/6 linear stretch blow moulding machine in the plant. [ + ]

Bidvest Foodservice has launched its most significant green initiative, with the installation of Western Australia's largest privately owned rooftop solar power array.

Lucas Bols wanted to develop a line extension of its Damrak Dutch Gin as it sought to develop sales in the US, where sales of premium gins are on the rise, and in other selected European markets. [ + ]

The Fort Collins Brewery in Colorado, US, upgraded its facility with a range of machinery, including packaging equipment from Pearson Packaging Systems. [ + ]

Ferguson Plarre approached Chemsearch for assistance with its grease trap, which was accumulating a heavy layer of fats, oils and greases (FOG) within a few days of pumpout. [ + ]

A new US dairy processing plant will feature advanced wastewater treatment technology that radically improves biomass recovery and effluent quality, harnesses green energy from waste streams and reduces its carbon footprint. [ + ]

Ron Mines, better known as the Boxologist, shares his knowledge about the best board grade to use for outer boxes.

Compagnie des Fromages was seeking to reduce its energy usage and CO₂ emissions by investing in a process that heats and cools in a single cycle, and also through the use of key energy-saving components. [ + ]

Fruit and vegetable spoilage is a major industry problem but new technology may be providing a solution. [ + ]

Tofutown has become one of Europe's leading producers of meat and dairy alternatives manufactured from plant sources. The company uses filling technology from SIG Combibloc and uses a CFA 310 filling machine for its range of soy and rice drinks.