Food and Beverage Business Magazine talked to Baptiste Naegelen, Head of Sales, Product Inspection, Mettler-Toledo, UK to talk aboiut Mettler-Toleso’s Vision for 2025
Sustainability and Compliance: How is Mettler-Toledo supporting F&B sustainability goals?
We have shown our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship through our GreenMT programme. This dedication is reflected in our broader sustainability initiatives, such as our goal to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2025.
In 2023, we made significant strides in sustainability, accelerating our adoption of electric vehicles, increasing solar power and district heating capacities, and meeting our target of sourcing 100% renewable electricity. These efforts contribute to our 2030 science-based targets for emissions reduction, reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable future.
In addition to these internal initiatives, we support the F&B industry’s sustainability goals by providing advanced inspection systems that help reduce waste, improve efficiency and optimise energy use. Our solutions, such as high-performance checkweighing, metal detection and x-ray systems, help manufacturers minimise product waste, improve production line efficiency and reduce resource consumption, all of which are crucial for meeting both environmental and regulatory standards.
Automation and Efficiency: What advancements improve automation and efficiency in 2025?
Automation and efficiency continue to evolve, and the Mettler-Toledo solutions are playing a pivotal role in food safety. Our inspection systems allow manufacturers to inspect 100% of the production line in real-time rather than relying on sample checks, significantly reducing the risk of defects reaching the market. This improvement in inspection capabilities helps meet the growing demand for higher production standards and quality assurance.
Additionally, the introduction of automated product set-up and changeovers has drastically reduced downtime, as systems can adjust quickly between different product types without human intervention. This also minimises the risk of human errors, improving overall productivity.
Automatic Test System (ATS) available on vertical metal detection solutions from Mettler-Toledo automates routine metal detector testing, improving product accuracy and reducing downtime. This technology not only enhances performance but also boosts operator safety by minimising the need for manual intervention. By automating critical processes, it helps manufacturers maintain compliance while optimising overall production efficiency.
Another advancement is automated rejection systems, which automatically remove defective products from the line. This capability increases reliability and throughput, as products are continuously monitored for quality without interrupting production.
Our systems also include automated communication with filler machines. This allows production lines to adjust fill levels in real-time, helping maintain consistency and accuracy in product volumes. These innovations combine to boost automation and improve efficiency across production lines.
We have expanded our range of mix and match combination system options in 2024, allowing manufacturers greater flexibility in tailoring either 2-in-1 or even 3-in-1 solutions to meet their needs. Integrating multiple, automated quality control inspections within a single system improves efficiency and enhances overall product quality.
Wider adoption of augmented reality solutions enables remote service support in the event of a system fault to minimise unplanned downtime and keep production running smoothly.
Data-Driven Insights: How will solutions provide actionable real-time production data?
Technology such as ProdX™ data management software from Mettler-Toledo provides real-time, actionable insights across the production process. By collecting and analysing data from inspection systems, ProdX™ offers a detailed view of key performance metrics, helping manufacturers track production efficiency, identify trends and address issues proactively. The software enables integration with existing operational systems, providing a seamless flow of information that allows for smarter, more informed decision-making. This capability allows manufacturers to take food safety to the next level by helping them to optimise operations, enhance productivity and respond quickly to production changes, resulting in reduced downtime and improved overall performance.
Food Safety and Traceability: What innovations enhance traceability in the F&B supply chain?
In the F&B sector, traceability is crucial for maintaining product integrity and compliance with regulations. ProdX™ plays a central role in enhancing traceability by collecting and securely storing comprehensive inspection data at every stage of the production process. The software generates a clear, traceable record of each product, from raw materials to finished goods. This level of visibility allows manufacturers to meet food safety requirements, offering full transparency throughout the supply chain. In the event of a recall, ProdX™ enables faster identification of affected products, which helps minimise disruption, protect the brand’s reputation, and, most importantly, offer the utmost in consumer safety.
Evolving Consumer Trends: How are solutions adapting to changing dietary preferences?
Mettler-Toledo solutions are designed to inspect all types of food products and adapt to evolving dietary preferences. Our systems, such as the X52 dual-energy x-ray technology, are capable of inspecting complex overlapping products, such as multi-layered items, with high accuracy. Additionally, we are seeing an increased need for inspection systems that handle smaller, single-serving packages, often used for on-the-go foods. With the rise of high-speed production lines, our product inspection systems are optimised to inspect a variety of product sizes and weights with precision, including handling lightweight products, meaning that every package is correctly filled and safe for consumption.
Integration with Existing Systems: How will solutions integrate with F&B operational systems
Mettler-Toledo solutions are designed for seamless connectivity and easy integration into existing production lines. Our systems work in harmony with other operational technologies, meaning that manufacturers can implement advanced inspection and automation capabilities without overhauling their entire infrastructure. This integration allows for smoother transitions and means that production lines remain efficient, responsive, and up-to-date with the latest innovations.
Technology: What breakthroughs do you see forthcoming?
While there is a lot of buzz around AI, in the context of product inspection, what we are really seeing is the rise of machine learning. Advanced data analytics are helping to improve detection accuracy, efficiency and decision-making.
In the coming years, we expect to see even more x-ray installations as new retailer requirements make them a standard part of food safety and product integrity checks. X-ray systems are becoming more mainstream, as they offer advanced contamination detection and product inspection capabilities, helping manufacturers meet rising consumer expectations and regulatory demands. We believe that x-ray systems are ideal for complementing existing metal detection systems and frequently have customers installing both technologies, but at different Critical Control Points along the production line.
Industry 4.0 and Smart Factories: How will Mettler-Toledo contribute to smart factory development?
In the era of Industry 4.0, Mettler-Toledo is at the forefront of smart factory development through our advanced checkweighing solutions. Our dynamic checkweighers utilise smart algorithms and real-time data analysis to enhance accuracy and optimise production line performance, even under challenging conditions.
Key innovations include the Accuracy Booster, which leverages FlashCell™ technology to adapt weighing performance for diverse products, offering precision and compliance. Our HiRes Vibration Compensation technology provides reliable results despite external disturbances, while Smart Documentation Services automate compliance processes, improving data integrity and efficiency.
Additionally, the Smart Checkweighing Consultant employs predictive maintenance to identify potential issues early, minimising downtime and enhancing operational reliability. By integrating intelligent automation and feedback control, Mettler-Toledo empowers manufacturers to optimize their processes and fully embrace the smart factory concept.
Future Outlook: What key trends should F&B prepare for by 2025?
By 2025, the Food & Beverage industry will continue to face evolving challenges. Smaller packaging, lightweight product handling and high-speed inspection will remain key issues, driven by changing consumer preferences and packaging trends. The demand for on-the-go foods will rise, and manufacturers will need flexible solutions to manage shorter, faster production runs. Consumers will seek personalised experiences, with food that not only satisfies the palate but also caters to individual preferences.
Additionally, retailers’ requirements for x-ray systems will grow as food safety and product integrity remain top priorities. There will also be increasing demand for compliance with sustainability standards, driving innovation in AI, sustainability efforts and smarter technologies.
