TNA to preview next-generation confectionery innovations at interpack 2026
April 1, 2026
New mogul enhancements to increase efficiency, reduce waste and simplify high-mix production
Düsseldorf, Germany — 1 April 2026 – At interpack 2026, TNA Solutions will showcase how confectionery manufacturers can simplify increasingly complex production environments while improving throughput, consistency and efficiency, under the theme ‘innovation simplified’. As a complete confectionery line solutions partner, TNA is enabling producers to do more with less — reducing waste, minimising manual intervention with its inherent risks and maximising equipment availability across the entire line.
With manufacturers facing growing SKU complexity, labour shortages and rising operational costs, TNA’s upcoming mogul enhancements are designed to boost productivity, enable faster changeovers and improve process control. Delivering reliable outputs of over 3,000 kg per hour, these innovations maximise throughput and product quality while reducing waste and improving overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). They are particularly suited to jelly, gummy, marshmallows and liquorice applications, where precision and flexibility are critical. Preview these innovations at interpack 2026 (7–13 May, Messe Düsseldorf), Hall 14, Stands C56 & D56.
Driving efficiency through smarter starch handling
TNA is redefining starch tray filling — traditionally one of the most critical operations for ensuring high-quality mould printing and uniform starch dispersion. A new spring-loaded seal mechanism, integrated within a patented starch filling containment system, creates a controlled environment during filling, levelling and transport, preventing overflow at tray edges and eliminating the need for further compressed air cleaning.
The result:
- Cleaner trays and more consistent stacking, supporting stable downstream processing
- Reduced airborne starch dust, improving operator safety and equipment hygiene in ATEX-sensitive environments
- Lower starch losses
- Reduced energy consumption by eliminating compressed air use
Real-time weight control to eliminate giveaway and lower waste
As confectionery formats become more complex — from layered and centre-filled products to premium textures — weight accuracy is emerging as a critical cost driver. Even small inconsistencies can lead to significant product giveaway or costly rework at scale.
To address this, TNA has developed an in-line tray weighing system that measures product weight in real time, both before and after depositing. This allows the mogul to self-adjust the pump stroke dynamically during production, ensuring consistent weight control across every batch.
By replacing traditional manual sampling with continuous monitoring, manufacturers can significantly reduce product giveaway and waste. At the same time, early detection of out-of-spec trays enables faulty product to be removed before downstream processing, protecting yield and maintaining consistent product quality throughout the line.
Faster changeovers to maximise uptime
Flexibility is essential in today’s high-mix confectionery environment, where manufacturers must manage frequent product changes, seasonal launches and multiple SKUs.
TNA’s clean-in-place (CIP) hoppers and remote-controlled hopper compartment valves are designed to significantly reduce changeover time, minimise machine and factory contamination, and improve operator safety. Sealed hopper lids, equipped with high-force cleaning balls, enable autonomous deep cleaning of all internal contaminated surfaces while preventing spillage or spray escape.
The automated hopper compartment, fully integrated into the hopper and lid design, allows operators to remotely configure hopper settings and lock them to the selected recipe, reducing the risk of human error and avoiding unnecessary downtime.
In addition, TNA’s latest piston valve design simplifies the changeover process, reducing it by approximately five minutes per change. For operations performing multiple changeovers per day, this translates into a meaningful increase in available production time and overall line productivity.
Combined, these innovations eliminate the need for operators to access the machine for piston bar changes, hopper cleaning or valve compartment adjustments. This reduces labour requirements, saving up to 25 minutes per changeover, while also creating a safer and cleaner working environment.
By minimising downtime and simplifying maintenance, manufacturers can respond more quickly to changing production demands without compromising throughput or efficiency.
Advanced pump design for greater control and reliability
TNA’s new top-driven pump architecture delivers improvements in both performance and usability. Designed as a modular system, it simplifies installation, maintenance and upgrades, reducing the need for complex disassembly and minimising disruption to production.
The new piston bar drive architecture ensures uniform piston stroke across the entire pump array, regardless of position and location, enabling precise and consistent weight control in every candy piece.
Enhancements such as hopper overflow drainage help prevent product spillage, reducing pump and factory floor cleaning requirements and avoiding unplanned downtime. In addition, the introduction of optional servo-driven valve bars provides greater precision in product handling, enabling more accurate and consistent depositing across a wide range of confectionery formulations.
Together, these developments give manufacturers greater control over the process while improving reliability across the line.
Energy-efficient thermal management and operator safety
Maintaining precise product temperature is critical for achieving consistent viscosity and depositing performance, particularly in demanding confectionery applications.
TNA’s water jacket insulation pads improve thermal efficiency by reducing heat loss within the hopper system of the top-driven pump. This helps maintain stable product flow and depositing accuracy while lowering overall energy consumption. As a result, manufacturers can achieve more consistent processing conditions over longer production runs, supporting both operational efficiency and sustainability objectives.
These hygienic, quick-release pads minimise operator contact with hot surfaces, reducing safety risks and improving workplace protection.
Commenting on the innovations, Luca Menassi, General Manager – Asia, TNA Solutions, said: “Confectionery manufacturers today are under pressure to deliver greater flexibility, higher efficiency and consistent product quality — often with fewer resources. Our focus is on simplifying operations through intelligent design, automation and integration. By reducing manual intervention, enabling faster changeovers and providing real-time control over critical processes such as weight accuracy, we help producers improve performance across the entire line while maintaining the highest quality standards.”
To see these and other confectionery innovations live, visit TNA Solutions at interpack 2026, Hall 14, Stands C56 & D56, from 7–13 May in Düsseldorf, Germany.
To arrange a meeting or request a complimentary registration code, visit: https://interpack.tnasolutions.com/
