BATCH OR CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION?


are usually continuous. If the production batch size is greater than the cooking batch size, multiple cooker batches are required. This batch-continuous process increases the complexity and capital cost of the cooking system as well as running costs such as energy, labour and waste, particularly in the event of a long plant stoppage. At some point, a continuous system will become more efficient and financially more attractive, but the cross- over point will vary depending on the output and flexibility required.” Product dependant decisions


“One of the recurring discussions we encounter with our confectionery manufacturing customers is whether to invest in a batch system or a continuous production line,” says Esmée Veen, Marketing & Communications Manager at Tanis. “Both methods have their place, and the decision will ultimately depend on product type, production scale, and flexibility requirements.” Of course, batch processing has a long tradition in confectionery. It offers excellent flexibility, which makes it particularly suitable for product development, smaller-scale runs, or for


32 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • OCTOBER 2025


manufacturers who frequently change recipes. “In batch systems, operators can adjust parameters relatively easily between runs, making it possible to accommodate seasonal products, limited editions, or frequent customer requests for variation,” explains Esmée. She highlighted another benefit of


batch production as being traceability. “When producing confectionery in defined batches, it is straightforward to link a specific batch back to raw materials and process conditions, which supports quality assurance and regulatory compliance,” she says. However, Esmée pointed out that


batch processing can also have some limitations. “Changeovers between products often require cleaning and setup time, which can lead to reductions in overall efficiency. Labour requirements are typically higher, and maintaining consistent product quality between batches can be more challenging than in continuous systems. For manufacturers seeking to scale up and maintain round- the-clock efficiency, these drawbacks can become significant.” Continuous processing is designed


FOR HIGH OUTPUT LINES WITH FEW PRODUCT


CHANGEOVERS CONTINUOUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AND REMAINS, THE CLEAR


FAVOURITE. FOR SMALL FLEXIBLE LINES, BATCH IS NORMALLY THE OBVIOUS CHOICE


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