The impact of manufacturing and production on the environment is now more critical than ever. With that in mind, this year, key suppliers leading the charge for sustainability will be front and centre at Foodpro 2023.
From initiatives to reduce water and energy consumption to products and materials that can be reused or regenerated, featured suppliers will be acknowledged with Sustainability Spotlight floor tiles directing to their stand. Details on Sustainability Spotlights will also be on digital signage around the expo.
"Sustainability has become increasingly important in the food and beverage manufacturing sector," said Foodpro Product Manager Felicity Parker.
"This year is the first year we have shone a spotlight on sustainable companies. Not only do we have a great range of environmentally conscious exhibitors, but we also have a range of top speakers who will discuss aspects of the topic."
The Smart Food Lounge, sponsored by Schneider Electric, will feature presentations, including The Benefit of Commercialising Excess Food, Sustainable Packaging for the Food Industry from the Australian Institute of Packaging; Leveraging Bio Ingredients to Reduce Food Waste, APCO's Australasian Recycling Label Program and a discussion on The Sustainability of Meat from the Australian Meat Industry Council.
Foodpro's Operations Manager, Luke Norris, added that Foodpro had also been working hard on improving its sustainability regarding the event.
"We have introduced water refill stations, recyclable and compostable food packaging, and a separated bin system to support removing unnecessary packaging and resource recovery," said Norris.
"As our venue partner, the MCEC has also introduced energy and emission reduction initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of our event."
Additionally, name badges at food will be recyclable. The Hurricane (or Cyclone badge) is made from fully recyclable class 5 PP plastic (Polypropylene). At the show's close, all badges will be collected and taken to a facility to be remade into another product.
To be held 23-26 July 2023 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, this year, Australia's leading and longest-running food manufacturing industry event will feature more than 380 exhibitors.
Leading sustainability suppliers at Foodpro 2023 include SEE, Flow Power, Omya Australia, and O'Brien Energy Services.
SEE is a leader in protecting and solving critical packaging challenges. The business designs and delivers packaging solutions that safeguard food, protect essential goods transported worldwide, enable e-commerce deliveries, and create digital connectivity. Its portfolio of packaging solutions integrates sustainable, high-performance materials, automation and digital technologies.
SEE said sustainability is in everything it does, as packaging reduces greenhouse gas emissions by minimising food spoilage and product damage. The company has made a 2025 sustainability pledge to produce 100 per cent recyclable or reusable materials plus 50 per cent average recycled or renewable content by 2025. It aims to have net zero carbon (CO2) emissions by 2040 across global operations.
Flow Power empowers Australian businesses to unlock value from the wholesale energy market, from retailing electricity and building renewable projects to providing the latest technology and expert engineering advice—Flow Power partners with food and beverage manufacturers to reshape how they manage energy.
Flow Power is already helping regional and metro Australian councils go green with secure access to renewable energy solutions. With councils cutting carbon emissions, investing in community initiatives and laying the foundations for a greener future, Flow Power's unique energy solutions are helping councils Australia-wide make strides towards the renewable energy transition.
Omya is a global producer of calcium carbonate and a worldwide distributor of specialty materials. Founded in 1884, Omya offers innovative solutions based on high-purity natural minerals and complementary ingredients in food, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, personal care, home care and pet food.
Omya partnered with The Natural Step, a non-governmental organisation specialising in sustainable development. Omya is committed to realising a governance structure that incorporates sustainability principles. Facilities must operate safely and be considerate of the community.
O'Brien offers sustainable onsite energy solutions for industrial and commercial production, generating thermal energy from eco-friendly sources. O'Brien provides asset management, fuel conversion, and training. The company works with all industrial and commercial businesses nationwide in Australia while supporting the community and environmental sustainability.
O'Brien allows clients to access solutions to achieve operational efficiencies through carbon and energy reduction of their steam and hot water process equipment. With annual energy consumption costs in a steam system amounting to almost the entirety of the system's cost, it benefits businesses to run an efficient system. System design and operational efficiencies are critical to the performance of a process plant.
