< PreviousPalsgaard starts major expansion of Netherlands factory Palsgaard has started work on a major expansion at its specialist Netherlands factory for high-grade PGPR emulsifiers. PGPR (polyglycerol polyricinoleate) is a co-emulsifier primarily used in chocolate production to control flow, reduce viscosity and optimize moulding and enrobing. It also reduces fat content in margarine spreads and is a highly effective, plant-based colour- dispersing aid that replaces petrol-based waxes in plastics. Scheduled for completion in 2024, the expansion to Palsgaard’s Netherlands plant, which also makes speciality ingredients for margarine and bakery, will double the company’s global capacity to produce PGPR, demand for which is growing by 10% per year. The facility achieved CO2-neutral production (Scope 1 and 2) status in 2018. The energy- saving design of the new extension includes an additional 1500m2 of solar panels and complete electrification of PGPR production, along with three new reactors and a new downstream processing line. FrieslandCampina to relocate Netherlands butter production FrieslandCampina has revealed its intentions to optimise its butter production network in the Netherlands and make it more sustainable by moving all butter production to Lochem, seeing the loss of 90 jobs and the creation of 27 new jobs. In connection with this, the production location in ‘s-Hertogenbosch will eventually be closed and the Lochem production location will be expanded. The company says the decision is a direct consequence of the rising demand for cream products for the foodservice market. As a result of this, less cream is available for butter, which creates a structural overcapacity in the butter production. In light of this, the decision has now been made to merge all butter production in the Lochem location and so allow better utilisation of the butter production network. Combining the butter oil and powder production with the butter production in Lochem will lead to more efficient production, according to FrieslandCampina. In addition, a new, sustainable butter plant will be built in Lochem, which will reduce CO2 emissions. 10 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net on line Key Technology Introduces Enhanced Herbert OCULUS Optical Sorter for Whole Potatoes Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, introduces their enhanced Herbert OCULUS optical sorter for whole potatoes. Ideal for fresh market potatoes or whole potatoes prior to processing, this enhanced system improves performance to better find and remove potatoes with defects. Its superior sorting capabilities help ensure product quality while reducing labor requirements and achieving consistent line capacity despite fluctuations in incoming raw product quality. “The value of Herbert OCULUS for the potato industry has never been greater. With extreme weather impacting the quality and quantity of harvested crops worldwide and labor availability at an all-time low, automating inspection with OCULUS helps customers achieve grade specifications while maximizing yield and profitability,” said Antoine van Bree, President, Key Technology – EMEA and Asia. “Driven by continuous improvement, we upgraded OCULUS to offer our customers a more innovative, effective and reliable solution for the changing market.” SunOpta opens $125m plant-based beverage manufacturing facility in Texas SunOpta has opened a new plant-based beverage production facility in Midlothian, Texas, bringing up to 175 new jobs to the area. The new ‘mega facility’ will manufacture the company’s entire suite of plant-based milks and creamers, along with tea and other products. Various package sizes and configurations will be produced including 16- ounce and 32-ounce packages typically used in food service, shelf-stable retail, and e- commerce for plant-based milk products, and 330-milliliter packages used primarily in high- protein nutritional beverages. “This plant is an important part of SunOpta’s long-term goals and a powerful next step in our company vision,” said Joe Ennen, CEO of SunOpta. “The fully-equipped and state-of-the- art facility will enhance our manufacturing and supply chain capabilities. In addition, through innovation and our dedication to sustainability, we can respond to the increasing nationwide demand for plant-based food and beverages.” Linas Agro Group invests € 32m in instant foods plant AB Kauno Gr ū dai, an AB Linas Agro Group subsidiary, is planning to invest € 32m in expanding its instant foods plant in Alytus. It is expected that the Group’s instant food production will almost double. The new capacity is planned to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2024, with an additional 250 to 300 employees. In 2022, Kauno Gr ū dai produced and sold almost 255 million units of instant products. The planned capacity of the new production unit is 240 million units per year, including 120 million units of instant noodles and porridge in cups and 120 million units of instant noodles in packets. Mažvydas Šileika, chief financial officer of AB Linas Agro Group, said: “At the end of July, we announced plans to launch an instant foods plant in Kai?iadorys after reconstructing the former slaughterhouse of the Kai?iadorys poultry farm, at an investment of € 6.5 million. However, we see that the market demand for instant foods is much higher, so we have decided to expand immediately.” © stock.adobe.com/ sommai © stock.adobe.com/ somegirl © stock.adobe.com/ Hein van Tonder 04-11.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 14:57 Page 7Löfbergs brings new flavour to UK following successful Tesco launch Sweden’s most popular coffee brand, Löfbergs, is launching a new flavour Fika Dark Roast Ground Coffee in the UK. Named after the multi-generational Swedish tradition of Fika – which is about taking time out of your day to reconnect over a coffee and catch up – the new product taps into the trend for UK consumers looking to embrace this Scandi practice. The new addition to the Löfbergs range is made up of 100% Arabica coffee beans from South and Central America and East Africa. This creates a soft flavour palate which is emphasised by the cocoa notes. Löfbergs prides itself on doing things differently and this is also reflected in its unique packaging, which is not only eye-catching, but its format means consumers can get more value for their money. The 450g brick-style packs can make between 55-75 cups of coffee, nearly 20 more than traditional packs on shelves. on the shelf Michelin award-winning chef launches range of Thai sauces Critically acclaimed and Michelin award- winning chef, Sebby Holmes, has launched a range of Thai street food sauces and pastes, allowing spice and Southeast Asian food fans alike to cook authentic, gourmet Thai dishes in the comfort of their own home. Payst is a premium range of fifteen easy- to-use Thai dipping sauces, stir-fry sauces and curry pastes, including vegan-friendly options, that are made fresh in the UK. Payst brings the tastes of Thailand to kitchens across the nation, without compromising flavour or freshness, in a matter of minutes. The range of Thai-inspired sauces and pastes are made with the freshest ingredients, sourced from top farms across Thailand and the UK. All products are completely free from preservatives and artificial ingredients, including the only fresh Thai curry pastes available on the UK market. Loch Lomond Group launches new whisky brand Noble Rebel Loch Lomond Group has launched Noble Rebel; an innovative and bold new blended malt Scotch whisky brand that creatively pushes boundaries in the pursuit of flavour creation, combining the nobility of single malt whisky with the rigour of craftsmanship. Drawing on centuries of know-how and deep bonds with like-minded distilleries, Noble Rebel blended malt whiskies are forged on the innovative spirit of Loch Lomond Distillery, the exquisite dram of Glen Scotia, and riveting liquids from trusted partners. Available in three distinct expressions – Orchard Outburst, Smoke Symphony and Hazelnut Harmony – the flavours of Noble Rebel are brought to life through a series of vivid illustrations that detail the intricate stories, layers and tasting notes of each expression. Each bold illustration is complemented by Noble Rebel’s premium embellished bottle, designed to replicate the heavy, intricate base of an old-fashioned rocks glass in tribute to the characterful flavours found within. Food & Drink International 11 www.fdiforum.net The ‘new gin’ launches in the UK Customers will be clamouring for a brand-new drink, as the latest spirit and liqueur sensation ‘Mahua’ launches, to take the UK by storm and get the party started. Mahua is the ‘new gin’, brought to the UK market by South Wales- based Alkohl Ltd, in collaboration with Brains Brewery and Hensol Castle Distillery, who have fermented and double-distilled it. It is believed to be the only alcoholic beverage distilled from a flower of a tree and one with a unique and compelling taste sensation, in which black pepper spice is carried by a rich caramel body. Mahua is now available as both a spirit and a liqueur, in 70cl sizes. Ethnic Mahua has been a central Indian tribal tipple, adored for centuries. It was cruelly suppressed and driven underground by the British Raj. Thankfully, its true essence survived and this is being brought to the UK, for the first time. The force behind the Mahua brand is Harry Hewett, Australian founder of Alkohl Ltd, who spent over five years living in India, during which time he stumbled across Mahua – the revered treat of the Adivasi tribe for centuries. Fourpure founder launches SMUGGLERS: ice cream with hidden veg Serial entrepreneur Dan Lowe is launching a market-first ice cream brand called SMUGGLERS, having sold Fourpure back in 2019. SMUGGLERS has secured a non-exclusive listing with Waitrose from March this year and is aimed at families who won’t compromise on taste and texture but also want some goodness in their ice cream. Lowe said: “Family meal-times can sometimes be a little stressful in our house, especially when it comes to getting the children to eat their vegetables. We know that first and foremost ice cream has to taste great for kids to enjoy it, but we’ve smuggled just enough veg into SMUGGLERS so that you can’t see or taste it at all, but it also adds a little bit of goodness. And because we’ve added in the veg it helps to reduce fat, have fewer calories and lower sugar versus a leading equivalent pot ice cream brand.” The brand is initially launching with two flavours: Chocolate with hidden beetroot and Vanilla with hidden parsnip, with more in development. © www.alkohl.com 04-11.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 14:57 Page 812 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net KITE PACKAGING Q&A Can you tell us a little bit about Kite Packaging and your best known products and services? Kite Packaging was founded in 2001 and has since become one of the UK’s largest packaging distributors. As the only company in the sector built on employee share-ownership, our unique culture of partnership sets us distinctly apart from other wholesalers, inspiring us to deliver first-class service at every opportunity. Our food packaging range is performing well thanks to being largely paper-based and eco-friendly. We sell some plastic products, such as our dip pots, but ensure these contain recycled content or can be recycled after use, helping to power a circular economy. Aside from this, our bestsellers include single and double wall boxes, tape and stretch wrap. How is Kite’s food packaging range beneficial to food and drink vendors? Our extensive range of practical and cost-effective food packaging products contains everything a restaurant, catering business or food vendor would need to safely and sustainably supply takeaways to their customers. Boasting kraft paper construction, our takeaway boxes and bowls provide strength while their inner PE lining contains all moisture, ensuring packages reach customers fresh and safely. Despite their name, our coffee cups can be used for hot and cold beverages. They are recyclable, double-walled and ergonomic, offering comfortability, durability and protection to consumers as they go about their day. Our commercially compostable wooden cutlery is compact and lightweight in design and is only as durable as is needed for a single use item, conserving energy during production and accelerating the composting process once disposed. We also sell greaseproof paper sheets, bags, paper straws and bags. With our products, food vendors benefit by challenging the traditional association of takeaways with waste and can elevate their brand perception whilst helping the planet. How are consumer trends impacting the food packaging industry? Consumer attitudes have changed significantly in the last decade alone, with consumers favouring conscious choices increasingly. There is an expectation for food to be sustainably sourced and the packaging it arrives in to be equally eco-friendly. This is certainly evident in a 2022 UK study which shows 74% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging. Therefore, it is vital for businesses to meet consumer expectations to secure their custom and do well, but also to protect the planet by making smarter packaging choices. Q&A Kite Packaging Packaging is an ever- changing industry. We speak to packaging specialists Kite Packaging this month to learn more about the company, and see how they have risen to and adapted to the challenges faced in the packaging world. Q&A Kite Packaging 12-13.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 13:28 Page 1Food & Drink International 13 www.fdiforum.net KITE PACKAGING Q&A What key issues are currently impacting the packaging industry? In recent years, there has been increased awareness around sustainability and the excessive consumption and inappropriate disposal of single use plastics. We’ve seen this speed up the transition towards using environmentally-friendly packaging options. We are looking at packaging holistically to determine its environmental impact instead of focussing only on the material it is made of. By looking at the entire supply chain, including manufacturing, storage and transportation, a significant reduction in economic and environmental cost can be achieved. This has offered useful savings in the current macroeconomic climate which is forcing many to streamline spending to protect their profits. What’s next for your food packaging range? We will be taking our food packaging range to more exhibitions this year. This will help us establish a wider presence and have greater outreach. One to look out for is the Food and Drink Expo taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 24th to 26th April. We will continue exploring new products to improve our offering for those seeking sustainable alternatives for single use plastics, especially as a ban on these in the food and drink takeaway industry is imminent with legislation expected in October 2023. In times like ours, where food delivery apps and consumable to-go products are woven into our everyday lives and culture, our efforts are focussed on ensuring stock availability for our customers. Having a reliable supply of food packaging is crucial for their ability to meet the sheer demand for takeaway products. What’s the latest news from your company? We’ve been busy lately with the launch of our new app which makes the experience of browsing, buying and reordering packaging more convenient and accessible for our credit account customers. The app offers a personalised platform for buying packaging with round-the-clock access to our products and services, featuring a quick barcode scanner and more to really speed up the process. We also launched and are now seeking candidates for our four-year Management Apprenticeship Programme. Participants have the opportunity to study at Sheffield Hallam University, gaining a BSc (Honours) Packaging design and Technology whilst working and earning a salary, all without having to pay any fees. We’re offering a basic starting salary of £20,000, increasing in increments of £2,000 every year, going up to £28,000 on completion of the programme. Applications are open and close 31st March 2023. For more information or to get in touch with Kite Packaging, visit www.kitepackaging.co.uk, email enquiries@kitepackaging.co.uk or call +44 (0) 24 7642 0065 12-13.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 13:28 Page 214 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/vutuankhanh Vietnam in the spotlight Vietnam in the spotlight 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 13:29 Page 1Food & Drink International 15 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT V ietnam is forging a place for itself on the international stage as the country’s food exports rise. While for the general consumer when one thinks of Vietnamese food the mind may go straight to Pho, it is the wider agriculture sector now stepping into the spotlight. In 2022, Vietnam’s agriculture exports enjoyed record figures, earning US$53.2 billion in export turnover — $3 billion higher than the Government’s goal of $50 billion. As many as 11 types of products gained export value of $1 billion each, including coffee, rice, vegetables, cashew, shrimp, pangasius, cassava and cassava products, while seven recorded export value over $3 billion, including shrimp ($4.3 billion), coffee ($3.9 billion), rice ($3.5 billion), vegetables ($3.3 billion) and cashews ($3 billion). The country has further been making strides in gaining access for numerous products to markets with high standards. Negotiations and procedures were completed for the export of fresh durian to China for example in 2022 — one of China’s most valuable fresh fruit imports — breaking Thailand’s monopoly position at a time when Vietnam is also battling to get ahead of Thailand for one of its With Vietnam’s agriculture exports witnessing solid growth, the country is gaining access to new markets and strengthening trading relationships. 16 Á 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 13:29 Page 216 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT main export staples, rice, and take the spot as the world’s number two rice exporter. The Chinese market is Vietnam’s second largest agricultural product importer after the U.S., and recently, fresh chili was officially exported again along with nine kinds of fruits and black jelly. 2022 additionally saw access achieved for the export of goods such as fresh mango and chicken meat to the Republic of Korea, honey to the EU, and pomelo became the seventh fresh Vietnamese fruit licensed to enter the U.S. market, following mangoes, longans, lychees, dragon fruit, rambutans, and star apples. Though undoubtedly this illustrates progress, Vietnam still has a wealth of opportunities to open up more markets to its agricultural products, particularly the EU, which accounted for just 11% of Vietnam’s agricultural exports in 2022. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) puts the country in a significant position to increase exports to Europe, being one of only a handful of Asian countries to have signed free trade agreements with the EU, gaining an advantage over potential competitors in the region. Coming into effect in 2020, the agreement sees major tariffs reductions on food and 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 13:29 Page 3Food & Drink International 17 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT beverage products and addresses a number of non-tariff barriers. The benefits so far can be seen with the rapid growth of the Vietnamese cashew nut market, with the EU becoming one of Vietnam’s largest cashew export markets. The European Union commissioner for agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, last year praised the expanding relationship between the EU and Vietnam, saying: “I am particularly encouraged by the progress of our Free Trade Agreement: between 2020 and 2021, EU-Vietnam agri-food trade overcame the challenges of COVID to grow by 9%, reaching € 3.5 billion in total. These figures reach even higher levels if we also consider fishery and forestry products, both of which have particular prominence in Vietnam’s exports.” He noted that as a result of the EVFTA, EU citizens have enjoyed increased access to Vietnamese tea and coffee, nuts, spices, and tropical fruit (some protected as ‘Geographical Indications’ through the EVFTA, such as Bao Lam seedless persimmon and Luc Ngan lychees), adding that key Vietnamese products like rice, mushrooms, and sugar products are also benefitting from significant access to the EU market via Tariff Rate Quotas under the EVFTA, which allows them to be imported into the EU with zero duties. On the opposite side of the world, meanwhile, Vietnam is forming stronger links with New Zealand. Last year the countries agreed to further open up their markets for agricultural products in a bid to raise the two-way trade to US$2 billion by 2024, with this marked by the countries signing an agreement on exporting Vietnam’s pomelos and limes to New Zealand, boosting the number of fruits allowed to enter the New Zealand market to five. New Zealand ambassador to Vietnam, Tredene Dobson, said the event represented a milestone in the agricultural co-operation between the countries. Opportunities are also being sought with India, where in February (2023) the Vietnam Trade Office in India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India, and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations held a teleconference to enhance business cooperation opportunities in farm produce and processed food. Holding a population of more than 1.4 billion, India is a favourable market for Vietnamese goods. Targeting $54 billion in agriculture export revenue in 2023, Vietnam is ready to break down barriers to new markets for its agricultural products, strengthening its links across the globe. © stock.adobe.com/Hien Phung © stock.adobe.com/alexlmx 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 13:29 Page 418 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net SOFTWARE SPOTLIGHT Perhaps more than any other aspect, software keeps the wheels of the food industry turning – from production to delivery and everything in between. We take a closer look. T he food industry relies heavily on software to manage various aspects of their operations, from quality management to sales order fulfilment, production planning, procurement, and customer relations. It is critical for food companies to avoid using inefficient or outdated software, as this can lead to inefficiencies and security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors. Ensuring not only that software remains up to date with the latest security and operational fixes, but that software is replaced as and when required, not only serves to streamline processes, but offers a valuable competitive advantage in a bustling market. Cloud computing has become increasingly popular in the food and drink industry, as companies seek to consolidate their various branches into a single enterprise platform. The cloud refers to software and services that run on the internet rather than locally on a single computer, enabling multinationals and other major players in the food and drink sector to conveniently widen their net of owned companies. This is because the cloud allows companies to oversee all infrastructure from a central location and integrate resources more efficiently. The growth in digital technologies, including big data and analytics, has brought about significant changes in the industry and will continue to do so in the years to come, not least in ascertaining trends in customer preferences. Big data allows companies to gain insights into the behaviour and spending habits of consumer groups in large numbers Everything’s connected Everything’s connected 18-20.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 13:31 Page 1Food & Drink International 19 www.fdiforum.net SOFTWARE SPOTLIGHT creating invaluable insights when forging new strategies in areas such as marketing or packaging. Even on the internal level, operational efficiency can be analysed through data streams, zeroing in on specific areas that require improvement. Information unlocked with analytics may reveal that most inefficiencies occur because of a single unit or component. As a result, rather than replacing an entire processing line and causing potentially vast expense, smaller areas can be focused on to save money, and labour besides. Such solutions can also lead to cost and efficiency savings beyond the production line, by automating inventory management using sensors, for instance. Regardless of whether a company produces bottled soft drinks, confectionery, or food grade lubricants, it will undoubtedly have inventory requirements that range from raw ingredients to packaging materials. Previously, the industry standard for managing inventory involved the use of a clipboard, pen, order forms, and telephones. As desktop computers became more prevalent, this process transitioned into the digital age, and subsequently evolved again with the advent of smartphones and tablets. However, advancements in software and smart technology, such as sensors, have made it possible to automate this process to a great extent. Essentially, a manufacturer can now receive notifications as soon as they need to order more of any given stock. More sophisticated solutions will automatically order inventory items as soon as they are running low. As long as there are no supply chain issues, there is no need to worry about running out of stock. By ordering only the necessary amounts, a manufacturer can ensure that they do not overspend on replenishing inventory. One of the most disruptive technologies developed in recent years has been blockchain. This technology is essentially a decentralised, distributed, and public digital ledger that can record transactions and supply chain information in a secure and traceable manner. Supporters of blockchain claim that it has the potential to increase © stock.adobe.com/Parilov© stock.adobe.com/kosssmosss 20 Á 18-20.qxp_Layout 1 27/02/2023 13:31 Page 2Next >