In many countries, the intake of sugar, salt and fat is well above the recommended reference levels. This can result in significant health problems such as diabetes. Trade fair ProSweets Cologne 2019 made it clear that there are successful strategies and also the corresponding technical possibilities for the manufacturers of confectionery and snacks to counter this. The international supplier fair for the confectionery and snack industry, which recorded a new visitor record, is a focal point of this issue.

Another focus is the category “Technology”: In our “sp portrait” we present the Cologne specialist machine manufacturer Wilhelm Rasch, whose portfolio includes packaging systems for confectionery as well as tempering machines for chocolate masses and fat glazes. High quality standards, innovative strength and a sophisticated service network help the company to offer its customers worldwide efficient solutions for their products.

Efficient solutions are also offered by the Swiss machine manufacturer Bühler. In his new innovation campus Cubic, which will open at the end of May, we had a look in advance. The project, which combines research and development, will provide the Bühler customers with seven renewed application centres for tests and series of experiments.

We also report about brand new things in the section “Ingredients”: Kay Schumacher and Tim Richardsen from Bösch Boden Spies inform in an interview about the recently introduced Crunchy Cranberries and comment on crunchy trends and sweet challenges.