SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION


ensuring smoother operation and minimising product damage during transportation. They can also be used to control the speed of mixers and agitators, helping to reduce energy consumption. and can optimise pump speeds to reduce energy usage, minimise wear and tear on pumps, and prevent product waste. Lighting and HVAC systems across


production and storage areas also present easy-win opportunities. Upgrading to LED lighting and adopting smart climate controls, for example, can result in immediate energy savings, particularly in facilities that operate 24/7. The integration of process control


systems that monitor energy use in real time will also allow inefficiencies to be quickly identified across the enterprise. These systems can pinpoint overuse, detect leaks in compressed air systems, or optimise motor loadings – many of which represent easy sustainability wins with minimal capital investment.


Energy efficient solutions Technology and equipment suppliers are also working hard to ensure that their solutions are able to help confectionery producers meet ever more stringent sustainability targets. Having identified energy efficiency as one of the most immediate levers for more sustainable production, Syntegon, for example, has designed its processing


ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES


FOR REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS IS TO OPTIMISE ENERGY CONSUMPTION ON EXISTING EQUIPMENT


and flexible automation in a bid to reduce carbon footprints across the entire production lifecycle. “Data- driven production systems can provide transparency across the factory floor, enabling energy consumption, material usage, and waste to be monitored in real time,” explains Sandra. “This data forms the basis for continuous optimisation – from faster, more stable recipe changeovers and improved line balancing to predictive maintenance strategies that prevent unplanned downtime and avoid resource-intensive emergency repairs.” Sustainable production also goes


and packaging equipment to minimise energy consumption through the use of optimised drives, intelligent motion control, and demand-based operation. “By reducing idle times, improving start-up and changeover efficiency, and precisely aligning machine performance with actual production demand, it is possible to significantly lower electricity consumption without sacrificing throughput or product quality,” claims Dr Sandra Link, Product Manager at Syntegon. Digitalisation is a cornerstone of


Syntegon’s ‘Factory of the Future’ approach, which brings together energy- efficient processing and packaging technologies, digital intelligence,


beyond energy efficiency – hygienic machine design, reduced cleaning times, and optimised use of water, compressed air, and consumables all contribute to a lower environmental impact. In addition, automation and process control can help ensure consistent product quality and can significantly reduce product waste – one of the most underestimated drivers of a confectionery plant’s overall carbon footprint. “In real-world projects, combining


energy-efficient equipment, digital transparency, and flexible automation has delivered measurable results: lower energy consumption per kilogram of product, reduced waste, and improved overall equipment effectiveness,” continues Sandra. “Crucially, sustainability and productivity should not be seen as opposing goals – they reinforce each other.” For confectionery manufacturers,


moving toward more sustainable production does not necessarily require complete rebuilds. Step-by- step modernisation – supported by digital solutions and energy-efficient technologies – can help enable meaningful carbon reduction while also creating a future-ready factory.


Starch-free benefits Coperion boasts that its starch-free depositing technology is able to offer a more sustainable and flexible alternative to traditional starch moulding processes. Explaining this in more depth, Keith Graham, Senior Manager Business Development EMEA & Strategy at Coperion, says: “By providing a more energy-efficient, flexible solution, we can help confectionery manufacturers reduce their environmental footprint while expanding their product offerings.” He went on to point out how this is achieved:


FEBRUARY 2026 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • 33


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