FDBusiness.com

42 Technology has partnered with Gabler, one of the world’s leading providers of manufacturing process equipment, to help Mondelēz International make a dramatic improvement in the efficiency of its chewing gum manufacturing process. The two companies have pooled their resources and complementary expertise to develop a new generation of high-speed cooling tunnels that are helping Mondelēz International to significantly increase production throughput, reduce work in progress by 60%, and to further optimise downstream processing and packaging. Mondelēz International’s chewing gum brands include Trident, the world’s number one gum brand, as well as Dentyne, Clorets, Hollywood, Dirol, Stimorol and First.

42 Technology was appointed by Mondelēz International to work with Gabler, the company’s existing supplier of cooling tunnels, to bring a fresh perspective and drawing on its extensive experience in cooling technologies, fluid dynamics and process improvement for the food and drink sector. The aim was to identify new ways of using combined conductive and convective cooling technologies to help speed up the cooling of extruded gum before it is scored, shaped and moves into the conditioning phase.

The consultancy’s role included: working with Gabler to develop a new system design, developing a theoretical model of the cooling process, advising on the final tunnel design and helping with commissioning the new equipment. Gabler then built and tested the prototype system before manufacturing and installing the final design.

Miles van Niekerk, Associate Director, new process development at Mondelēz International, says: “The new high-speed cooling tunnels, which have now been installed in three global locations highlight the significant commercial benefits of bringing together partners with complementary skills. 42 Technology and Gabler have joined forces to develop a real breakthrough in cooling performance that has helped Mondelēz International to set a new efficiency benchmark. The new tunnels have significantly shortened the time needed for gum cooling and conditioning, one of the most time-consuming steps in the manufacturing process and are also 40% smaller than the equipment they replace.”

In addition to helping design the new cooling tunnel, 42 Technology has also advised Mondelēz International on a number of other opportunities to further optimise process efficiency through improved control of temperature, humidity and other environmental factors.

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The new high-speed cooling tunnels have helped Mondelēz International to set a new efficiency benchmark for its chewing gum manufacturing process.  This image shows a final visual inspection stage on a production line for Dirol, one of the company’s chewing gum brands. Credit: Sputnik/Alamy.