Around 70% of the available exhibition space has already been booked for the Barcelona Food Technology (Bta.) show, to be held together with Hispack on 21-24 April 2015 at Fira de Barcelona.
The exhibition features a wide range of industry offerings organized in three shows Tecnocárnica, Tecnoalimentaria and Ingretecno serving the meat industry, food industry in general and intermediate food products sector.
Leading machinery and technology for the meat industry firms have already confirmed their attendance, including Hiperbaric Dinox, Lorenzo Barroso, Adfood, Ulma, Xuclà, Dordal and Intecal. Other industry leaders also scheduled to be at Bta. 2015 include Gea Westfalia Separators Iberica, Abelló Linde, Talleres Ezma, CSB System, HJM Marrodan, Danmix, Dibal, Brenntag Quimica, Roha Europe, Altaquimica, Adpan Europa, Zeus Quimica and Innova Food, to name just a few.
“We can expect a great edition of Bta., judging by the atmosphere of optimism we noted at the most recent edition of Alimentaria and the positive signs being shown by the food industry as a driving force for the Spanish economy”, said Víctor Pascual, director of Bta.
Areas of innovation
Innovation is another of the show’s priorities. In keeping with this, a range of activities will be planned to promote technology transfer and pinpoint major trends in food processing, engineering and manufacturing. To this end, Bta. has established strategic partnership agreements with various organisations and technology centres, including Irta, Ainia, Azti, Amec, Aecoc, Fiab and Acc10.
In 2013, the food industry based its innovation strategy on expanding product lines to revitalise their presence on shop shelves (78% of new launches), on reformulated or redesigned products, which accounted for 12.7% of new launches, and on brand stretching (6.22%). Premium items led the list of launches, followed by motivations such as pleasure, health, convenience and products to be consumed in new situations.
These core areas of innovation determine how investment in R&D&I is allocated by the food technology industry, which is focusing on equipment for much more cross-sector processes associated with consumption habits and adapted to new production regulations.
Food safety, hygienic design, traceability and eco-friendly products continue to be the main trends in innovation for food machinery and technology. The aim is to produce convenience or functional foods, or products with a more natural appearance and flavors.