• tna director Nadia Taylor made a cameo appearance in the company's virtual factory tour at Interpack.
    tna director Nadia Taylor made a cameo appearance in the company's virtual factory tour at Interpack.
Close×

tna solutions gave visitors to interpack 2023 the chance to step off the event floor and into a virtual factory, with an XR show that featured director, and well-known Australian industry figure, Nadia Taylor in cameo.

tna’s Extended Reality (XR) technology enables remote commissioning, installation and maintenance of production lines, reducing carbon footprint and downtime. At Interpack, visitors were able to experience how advanced technology will transform the way the industry approaches complete processing line integration.

“The way we are implementing the factory experience is unique,” commented Natasha Avelange, Global Extended Reality manager at tna solutions. “The virtual factory is bringing this concept to life in a whole new way. Customers from across the food processing world, from candy and confectionery to snack foods and French fries, are able to see first-hand how interactive technology can enable winning solutions.”

Seamless potato chip production: tna's advanced processing and packaging line solutions.
Seamless potato chip production: tna's advanced processing and packaging line solutions.

Thanks to tna’s state-of-the-art software, coupled with the very latest VR headsets, this completely immersive experience allowed the user, including this PKN reporter, to embark on an interactive journey around a production line, to be transported there, and to experience the sensation of looking at the environment through 360 degrees.

tna experts were on-hand to guide users, and to discuss how the technology can be used in the real world to achieve both efficiency and sustainability gains.

“What we displayed at the show is just a representation of what is possible,” continued Avelange, “but that representation speaks to a need in the industry to leverage the virtual space to better deliver for customers and the environment.”

Avalange said digitalisation is fuelling the future of the processing and packaging industry, and tna was pleased to have had the opportunity to demonstrate this at Interpack 2023.

Food & Drink Business

Ferrero has gained more ground in the US through its acquisition of WK Kellogg for $4.7 billion (US$3.1b). Since 2018, Ferrer has acquired Nestle's US chocolate business for $4.25 billion, Kellogg's cookies and fruit snacks unit for $2 billion, and ice cream company Wells Enterprises.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) says it won’t oppose Lactalis’ proposed acquisition of Fonterra’s consumer and food service businesses, if the bid goes ahead. While it would see two of the largest buyers of raw milk combine, the ACCC says it is “unlikely” to result in a lessening of competition.

Winners of the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards have been announced, recognising distilling excellence across Australia and the world. Prohibition Liquor took out the title of Champion Australian Distiller, as well as the Champion Australian Gin trophy.