The creation of a new product: The Ronair Pouch Dryer.

How does a new product come into being? What factors influence the need for a new product? What steps must be taken to create a final product? In this article, CYAGO’s step-by-step plan will be explained using a practical example, namely the Ronair Pouch Dryer. Starting to think about a new product always starts with one requirement, a demand that must be met. In the case of the Pouch Dryer, the demand came from the end customer.

The Demand

The reason why the customer needed a dryer was for the following reason. Because of the use of a pasteurisation process, the pouches had become wet and it needed to be dried, so there could be no logistical problems further in the production process. Hence, they needed a tailor-made dryer and the idea of a Ronair Pouch dryer was born.

The Pouch market

Although the demand came from the end customer, the Pouches market is clearly a fast-growing market. The global pouches market size was valued at USD 36.44 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2020 to 2028. Rising demand for packaged food and beverages coupled with the convenience of use and cost-effectiveness of pouches are primary factors driving the market growth. Pouches occupy lesser space in transport vehicles owing to their compactness. Moreover, they are lightweight, which significantly reduces the cost associated with transportation. In addition, the availability of multiple closure options in pouches, such as spout, zipper, and tear notch, is fuelling the demand. (Grand View Research, 2020)

‘The global pouches market size was valued at USD 36.44 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2020 to 2028.’

Grand view research, a market research database

Testing

After the customer’s demand is made, we at CYAGO move to the next step. We gather from the customer various parameters such as product packaging, line speed, desired drying percentage, a noise requirement and automation requirements. Then we start doing internal testing with the customer’s samples. Different set-ups are built to see which one gives the best results. Tests are carried out at different pressures, speeds,… In this way, we are able to achieve the highest possible drying percentage. The difficult thing about drying pouches is twofold. Along the one hand, the cap of a Pouch often has an irrigated shape. Along the other hand, the lower part of a pouch is open making it difficult to blow off drops of water in the opened section.

In the attachment below you can see three examples of our extensive test reports. As you will see, our drying result will be around 98% each time, which is no easy feat.

Afterwards, we discuss our test reports with the customer and determine what further requirements the drying machine should meet. We then draw up sketches where a clear picture is created for the customer of the final solution. In addition we prepare a budget quotation and make a detailed list of everything needed to make the machine. Subsequently the customer’s official agreement, engineering is launched. As the penultimate step, production is started, followed by assembly. Afterwards the customer is invited for a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). The final step is the on-site installation of the dryer.

Summary

It is obvious that creating a new product is not something that happens in one day. What starts with an initial customer request ends after several steps in a Ronair dryer. In each step, the customer’s needs are combined with the knowledge and experience of the CYAGO team to achieve the highest possible drying percentage .