WASTE & WASTE MANAGEMENT
detector combination system utilise advanced ARM processors to record weight data with millisecond precision. Such detailed analytics enable manufacturers to identify deficiencies in real-time. This tightens weight control and ensures precise product distribution in packs, thereby reducing unintended product giveaway caused by technical inefficiencies.
To further reduce waste, multiple checkweighers in a manufacturing facility can be connected to the same secured network. This allows results to be pooled across multiple lines of identical product groups and pack sizes to calculate an average batch weight. A controlled feedback signal can then be sent to the filler to further minimise product giveaway, reducing the need for human intervention.
Following installation of the Fortress Raptor Combination metal detector and checkweigher at Mennel Milling, the team reported zero unplanned downtime during the first 18 months. Specialising in the production and packing of ultra-fine premium grade soft wheat flour, Project Engineer Jonathan Mace cites the simplicity and reliability of the robust combination system as the milling plant’s biggest productivity gamechanger.
DIGITAL SOLVES WASTE DISCONNECT The shift toward automation is no longer deemed a luxury among manufacturers but a prerequisite for meeting the 2030 UN and global goal for food loss and waste reduction. Focusing on the ‘Target, Measure, Act’ framework, tracking waste data using digital tools is now regarded as imperative to half food waste within the production process. Connected inspection machinery allows manufacturers to view equipment status and monitor rejects remotely and in real-time. This networked connectivity provides production managers with the tools to spot trends and patterns, identifying exactly where and when the most rejects are occurring. “Digital tools are increasingly critical for waste management,” highlights Brown.
Additionally, manual testing of food inspection equipment is a massive drain on resources. This can be further complicated by machine position or harsh environmental conditions.
Automated digital testing systems, like the Halo Automatic Testing System, removes the risk of human error or injury from the equation. It independently checks for metal contaminants and ensures the machine is performing without halting production. This isn’t just about saving labour, automatic testing also brings greater transparency and order to the food chain.
COMMON CULTURAL MINDSET Reducing food waste in the food manufacturing sector is not solely a matter
of deploying advanced technologies. Cultivating a culture of accountability and shared purpose is equally essential. Teams must understand the origins of food waste, recognise its financial impact and work towards shared goals of minimising it. This collective mindset is the foundation for sustainable change and ensures that waste reduction is prioritised by all. Building a food chain that is as resilient as it is efficient really is a circular process. When employees are empowered to act on waste data generated by digital tools, the result is a powerful alignment that drives continuous improvement. For example, companies leveraging real-time tracking systems such as networked checkweighers have achieved measurable reductions in product giveaway and unplanned downtime. These technologies not only provide precise analytics but also enable production teams to respond instantly to inefficiencies, reinforcing the value of a proactive and informed workforce. As the global population accelerates toward an estimated
9.7 billion by 2050, the need for efficient food production and distribution becomes increasingly urgent. Experts project that feeding this population will require a 70 per cent increase in food supply. “Every gram of food saved quite literally reinforces global food security and supports humanitarian objectives. The more united teams are in the effort to reduce good food waste, the more powerful our food industry becomes,” ends Brown.
Fortress Technology
fortresstechnology.com
UKManufacturing Spring 2026
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