Global Demand Rising for HPP Technology

According to a global food processing machinery market report from Technavio, rising demand for high-pressure processing technology will impact the food processing machinery market until 2020.

“The global food-processing machinery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 8% during the forecast period," said Sharan Raj, a lead packaging research analyst at Technavio. "One of the factors boosting market growth is the demand for processed foods in countries such as China, India, and Saudi Arabia due to hectic lifestyles and rise in disposable income in these countries. The other factors contributing to market growth include increased demand for dairy products, concerns regarding food safety, and need for automation.”

The food processing machinery market in APAC was valued at $16.32 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $25.13 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of around 9%. China is the major revenue contributor, and represents the largest market for food processing machinery in APAC.

One of the major factors for the growth of the market is increased demand for processed foods in developing nations such as China and India. In addition, a shift in dietary habits in countries like China and Japan toward higher value-added foods, such as meats and chocolates, will propel food manufacturers to expand their operations and invest in additional manufacturing capacity in these countries. Rise in disposable income is also expected to increase the demand for processed foods and costly non-staple items. In addition, industrial advancements are expected to make the processing of basic foods such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts more efficient by way of automation of processes.

The top four emerging trends driving the global food processing machinery market according to Technavio transportation and logistics research analysts are:.

• Technological advances. Food processing has evolved from being a simple basic process to a more complex, diverse, and detailed operation that enables the production of a wide variety of food products. “Simultaneous processing involves the processing of ingredients in different machineries and offers advantages such as reduced wastage, consistency, and reduction in manufacturing costs. Manufacturers of processed foods are also introducing wireless integrated sensors in their manufacturing plants to acquire real-time data and make rapid adjustments in processing when required. Advances in technology such as these will contribute significantly to the development and growth of the market,” Raj said.
• Consumer lifestyle changes. Hectic lifestyles have led to consumers seeking convenience and easy-to-cook foods. Processed foods fit into this because they have a longer shelf life than fresh food, and they are available in packages that list the nutritional values and benefits of these food products, consumers choose products as per their requirements.
• Demand for high pressure processing (HPP) technology. The global food-processing machinery market is witnessing increased demand for HPP technology for its ability to eliminate micro-organisms in food products without eliminating nutrients, color, or flavor, by subjecting them to pressures ranging from 60,000 to 87,000 psi. This helps preserve the natural freshness of food products. While the initial cost of machinery is high and most suitable for high-value niche products, the technology has great potential, in enabling food manufacturers to innovate and bring value-added products to the market, the company said.
• Upgrading and modernization. Many food-processing plants are modernizing their facilities and upgrading their machineries to keep pace with the growing demand for processed foods. Consolidation and upgrading of facilities into ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing facilities are expected to drive the demand for processing machineries. Additionally, stringent food-processing regulations and lower profit margins are forcing manufacturers to improve efficiency by investing in advanced machineries and larger processing plants. They are demanding features such as energy efficiency, automation, and inspection systems to optimize production, enhance product quality, and reduce overall manufacturing costs. In addition, there is a growing demand for technologies that can offer reliable performance, robustness, a high degree of efficiency, ease of installation, and low maintenance.