MODULAR SOLUTIONS
MODULAR SYSTEMS T
Suzanne Callander finds out what real-life benefits modular confectionery production and packaging lines can offer and how they can help confectionery producers keep up with fast changing trends.
here can be no arguing the fact that product cycles
confectionery manufacturing are getting shorter. Seasonal
ranges, special limited editions, format changes to address new channels, and a steady churn of flavours and textures to meet changing consumer tastes, all put pressure on production teams and their equipment. According to data from Innova Market Insights, between October 2020 and September 2025, global confectionery launches grew by 7%. Information from Luker Chocolate points to several macro-trends that
in
are pushing confectionery companies to launch new variants more quickly and these
include better-for-you
confectionery – for example reduced sugar, protein enrichment, and functional ingredients; consumer demand for multi-sensory indulgence such as layered textures and complex flavour combinations; sustainability and ethical sourcing; and a growing call for functional sweets linked to gut health or wellness benefits. Because these trends continue to
evolve quickly, today’s confectionery manufacturing production lines need to
be capable of frequent and fast changes, and this is where modular systems really show their strength. In simple terms, modular systems will have been designed as a set of standardised building blocks – mechanical modules, functional process units, and packaging cells – that can be swapped, added to, or reconfigured with minimal requirements for re-engineering. At a physical level, modularity revolves
around interfaces – the separate modules should use repeatable footprints, common services, and defined infeed/ outfeed hand-offs so that all upstream and downstream equipment can work together in any format. In packaging, for example, this could be reconfigurable secondary packaging cells that are designed to handle multiple case styles or formats quick and easy changeovers, in place of more traditional single-purpose end-of-line layouts. Suppliers usually describe this as a ‘modular’ concept because it reduces the need for costly and time-consuming re-engineering when formats change.
Modular packaging In the packaging hall, the need for small changes traditionally has created some big engineering challenges. Markus Rustler, Managing Director
at Theegarten-Pactec, explained that modularity in today’s confectionery packaging lines has become especially relevant. “Rather than having to focus on daily format changes, today’s modular solutions are able to provide the strategic flexibility to respond to seasonal peaks –
20 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • MARCH 2026
GAINING ADAPTABILITY AND SPEEDWITH
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
