< PreviousLidl GB launches new British bottling plant Lidl GB has launched a new bottling plant in Derby, UK creating around 90 jobs. The facility will bottle water and produce a variety of soft drinks, with a production capacity of 380 million bottles per year. The plant called MEG Derby Ltd is part of Schwarz Produktion, the umbrella brand of the Schwarz Group’s production companies. MEG is one of Germany’s leading mineral water and soft drink manufacturers, and this marks their first venture in Great Britain. By localising production, the move will simplify transport logistics and significantly reduce the distance the products travel to stores, thereby improving Lidl’s carbon footprint and reducing costs. Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer, Lidl GB, said: “This new venture with MEG Derby Ltd. marks a significant milestone in our commitment to improving efficiency, reducing our impact on the environment and providing our customers with great quality products at the lowest possible prices. “Bringing production of this key product closer to home makes sense and aligns with Lidl GB’s vision of contributing positively to the local community and economy.” New plant-based beverage production facility inaugurated by Danone in France CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique joined French officials and Danone employees to inaugurate its newly transformed production facility in Villecomtal-sur-Arros in southwestern France. The site underwent a plant-based conversion to facilitate the production of oat-based drinks for the Alpro brand. The transformation took nearly two years and called for a capital investment of several million euros. The site is now home to Danone France’s only oat-flour-to-oat-juice production facility. The Villecomtal-sur-Arros plant features two production lines, one operating at high speed. Beverage output is set to reach over 300,000 liters a day for distribution in France and 26 other European markets. 90% of total production is designated for export. Yann Le Roy, operations manager, Danone France, said: “We’re a multi- local company, which means our strength and our future lie in our employees and our historic presence in local communities. Today we’re proud to open a new production site for plant-based beverages. Making these products in France gives us a unique position in this market.” 10 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net on line Key Technology introduces optical sorters for processed protein products Key Technology, a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Solutions group, introduces optical sorters for processed protein products, such as frozen chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, fish sticks, plant- based meat alternatives and more. Automatically removing product defects and foreign material (FM), Key’s optical sorters including COMPASS® and VERYX® help optimize product quality while improving yield and reducing labor. Key’s COMPASS and VERYX optical sorters detect the color, size, shape and/or structural properties of every object to identify and remove a variety of product defects including clumps of product, clumps of breading/batter and product that hasn’t been formed, cooked or coated correctly. Foreign material (FM), such as plastic, metal, glass and paper, that may have been accidentally introduced to the production line is also removed. For processed protein applications, optical sorting is most often utilized immediately prior to packaging for final inspection but may also be utilized upstream to inspect incoming ingredients. © stock.adobe.com/dimasobko © stock.adobe.com/ Praewphan Image courtesy of Lidl GB BrownForman sells Alabama cooperage BrownForman Corporation has sold its cooperage in Trinity, Alabama, to Independent Stave Company (ISCO). The cooperage will continue to make barrels for the Jack Daniel Distillery as part of a strategic relationship between the companies. ISCO will rename the cooperage from the Jack Daniel Cooperage to the Alabama Cooperage upon closing, expected by May 1, 2024. “We believe that barrels are more than a container for our whiskey, they’re an important ingredient. This agreement helps ensure a steady supply of the same high quality barrels at a competitive price to BrownForman and Jack Daniel’s,” said Tim Nall, Chief Global Supply Chain and Technology Officer. “ISCO will continue to craft American White Oak barrels using the same meticulous process that we have for generations, keeping the quality and taste of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey consistent around the world.” © stock.adobe.com/ weyo Louis Dreyfus Company to construct new pea protein production plant in North America Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) is building a new pea protein isolate production plant dedicated to its Plant Proteins business, at the site of its existing industrial complex in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada. Michael Gelchie, LDC’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “As a leading global merchant and processor of agricultural goods, LDC is committed to helping meet demand for food, feed and biofuels through our integrated and expanding North American industrial centers – Claypool (Indiana) and Upper Sandusky (Ohio) in the US, and Yorkton (Saskatchewan) in Canada. “And like other key development projects for LDC in North America, the investment announced today is an important step in the Group’s global growth strategy, as part of our plans to diversify revenue through value-added products – in this case, addressing growing demand for high-quality, nutritious and sustainable plant-based protein alternatives.” Expected to be ready by the end of 2025, the new facility will enable LDC to deliver to customers highly functional, taste-neutral, nutritious ingredients, well-suited for dairy alternatives, high-protein nutrition solutions and other plant-based applications. Plant-based cheeze relaunches with new and improved recipe Nearly five years after its original launch, one of the UK’s most popular multi-award-winning plant-based cheezes is relaunching with a new recipe. Applewood Vegan, which launched in autumn 2019, will be hitting the shelves in supermarkets around the UK with a few tweaks to its originally hugely successful recipe that will improve the cheeze’s texture so it will look and taste more like dairy cheese. When Applewood Vegan launched five years ago, many consumers who follow a plant-based diet said that what stood Applewood Vegan apart from other plant-based cheezes is its meltability. It melted like dairy cheese, while many other vegan cheezes don’t. So, the team at Applewood Vegan have taken the original recipe and made this multi-award-winning cheeze more “dairy cheese” like with a creamier taste and texture. on the shelf Vegan food company Fairfood packages powdered oat drink with Sonoco’s recyclable GREENCAN® solution German vegan food brand, Fairfood, has selected Sonoco’s paper end GREENCAN® packaging solution for its powdered oat drink. The company manufactures and distributes Fairtrade, healthy, vegan and nut-based foods and snacks. Its products include: hand-roasted organic nuts; vegan nut bolognese; nut- based vegan organic hot chocolate creams; and organic oat powder drinks. Fairfood’s brand messaging pillars include fairness and sustainability. In light of this, the company previously used returnable deposit jars for its powdered oat drink, but it experienced difficulties with vacuuming and loss of product. To overcome these issues, Fairfood switched to Sonoco’s GREENCAN ® , which proved to be an ideal, recyclable alternative that also maintains product freshness. Sonoco’s GREENCAN® recyclable paperboard package is made of 92-98% paperboard and features a wide range of barrier properties. Available in multiple shapes and sizes – from round, square or rectangular; to oval, oblong or triangular – it provides a highly recyclable packaging solution, with robust barrier properties. For more information visit https://sonocoeurope.com/consumer-packaging/rigid-paper- containers-and-closures/greencan/ Food & Drink International 11 www.fdiforum.net Lyle’s Golden Syrup unveils first rebrand since 1883 Lyle’s Golden Syrup has announced its first true rebrand since 1883. The new design will unify the Lyle’s product range with fresh new branding and a contemporary logo, still based on a lion, marking the first full logo change and redesign for Lyle’s since its inception in the 19th century. First introduced by Scottish businessman Abraham Lyle, the syrup proved a runaway success, with families charmed by its outward spirit of enjoyment and indulgence, a welcome contrast to the buttoned-up times of Victorian England. Now, over 150 years later, the beloved green and golden branding has been revitalized for the modern UK family. The move will refresh the brand’s legacy to appeal to a 21st century audience, reestablishing Lyle’s as the great value, everyday hero of the family breakfast table and baking cupboard. The rebrand will take place across the full product range, excluding the classic Lyle’s Golden Syrup tin, which will retain its heritage packaging featuring a 19th century illustration of a golden lion. Naud distillery launches new 12-year aged Venezuelan rum Naud, The Noble and Unusual Distillery, is dropping a brand-new rum, Ron Venezuela 12 Year Old Golden Rum, in collaboration with Venezuelan distillery Destileri?a Sofa. Distilled at 41%, the new launch is the second rum creation from the Naud family distillery. Naud Ron Venezuela is aged for 12 years outside the capital city of Caracas. The hot and humid daytimes and cool, dry nights of Venezuela provide the perfect climate for ageing the rum. The unique flavour originates from the essential sugarcane, cultivated from some of the most fertile lands in Venezuela, and carefully harvested during the winter months. Following fermentation, the sugar cane molasses, also known as ‘Black Gold’ is distilled on columns. The rum is then matured for around six months in French oak casks, located in the humid Naud family cellars of Cognac, before being bottled. The result is an aromatic rum, with delicate notes of mocha and muscovado sugar. Light hints of coconut, cedarwood and oak are also present, due to the use of ex-bourbon casks in tropical conditions. James Cropper partners with Bruichladdich on whisky industry first James Cropper has partnered with Islay single malt Scotch whisky brand Bruichladdich, bringing the first of its Luxury Redefined range to market with a fully sustainable outer wrap. The coloured wrap for The Bruichladdich Eighteen and The Bruichladdich Thirty is the first of its kind in the whisky space. Made from fully recyclable paper pulp and moulded to the shape of the Bruichladdich optimised, proprietary glass bottle, the wrap is the definition of conscious modern luxury. Bespoke in colour and shape with unique emboss and deboss features, the design also includes a branded, oversized custom clasp feature.?Using 100% fresh fibre the wrap is significantly lighter than previous packaging solutions without compromising strength or integrity while significantly reducing Bruichladdich’s CO2 impact. James Cropper produces the moulded fibre packaging using 100% green energy and the wood pulp used in its creation is sourced from sustainably managed forests, certified to FSC® or PEFC® standards. Brought to life using a single material with no glue, the packaging is 100% recyclable in every household. 12 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net MAXI AUTOMATION Q&A Can you tell us a little about Maxi Automation and what you do? Maxi Automation is one of the leading industrial automation suppliers in the UK. From our warehouses in Europe and North America, we provide a wide range of parts to manufacturers both domestically and abroad. Since it was founded in 2007, our business has gone from strength to strength, selling over two million parts worldwide. We’re committed to quality both in our products and processes. This is recognised by our official ISO 9001:2015 accreditation, which for anyone not up on their ISO (International Organization for Standardization) codes, means our business meets the international standard for a Quality Management System. Generally speaking, it means we’re good at what we do! What companies do you work with? And what kinds of products do you offer? Being among the most trusted suppliers in the business, our client base features a number of well known manufacturers, including: ABB, Schneider, Omron, Beckhoff, Pilz, B&R, Siemens, and Mitsubishi. We stock thousands of components from leading OEMs, but mainly specialise in the Supply for Industrial Automation, Instrumentation, and Control products. More specifically: PLC’s, drives, HMI motors, servomotors, encoders, industrial cables, and temperature controllers, to name a few. What makes Maxi Automation stand out in the automation parts industry? Like any good supplier, we pride ourselves on offering the highest quality parts, at a cost effective price. We also want to be sure our customers receive their items pronto, which is why we use the most reliable international carriers promising the speediest shipping times. These things are perhaps a given, but what really separates us from the competition? It’s our ability to procure end-of-life, hard-to-find automation and electrical components. Many manufacturers are dependent on rare or unique machine parts, but often come unstuck when trying to find them on the market. We know how essential components are to manufacturing lines, which is why we do everything in our power to obtain them for our clients. We have built our reputation on finding and delivering the parts they need, regardless of their age, scarcity, or location. You might say that when it comes to sourcing automation parts, we’re experts. Or superheroes, even? No, Q&A Maxi Automation Food & Drink International catches up with Maxi Automation to learn more about its role as a leading industrial automation supplier helping manufacturers embrace automation and avoid unnecessary downtime. Food & Drink International 13 www.fdiforum.net MAXI AUTOMATION Q&A best stick with experts. Of course being a global, customer- centric company, anyone dealing with us can be sure of excellent customer service from our bilingual team. When you need advice or questions answered, we’re easy to talk to. What challenges do you find food and drink manufacturers facing at this time, and how do you work with your clients to combat them? We live in an age where industrial automation is inescapable. The efficiency and quality that automated machines provide mean that no serious manufacturer can be without them, particularly when you factor in the increasing shortage of human labour. This is especially pertinent to food and drink manufacturing, who have little room for error with their machinery. Lengthy downtimes not only mess with production and ability to deliver orders, but with food and drink there is also the risk of batch spoilage. Food and drink firms need their systems to be able to work long hours without rest, and with little human intervention. Of course in time things do inevitably go wrong - machines break down, parts need replacing - and that is where Maxi Automation is able to help. We might not be able to guarantee manufacturers systems that never fail, but our renowned parts service gives them the peace of mind that their operations aren’t at the mercy of an elusive piece of hardware. Not only do manufacturing firms have to negotiate the shortage (and often discontinuation) of key components, supply chain disruption is a very real problem. Many suppliers themselves face roadblocks when attempting to source parts, which creates delays to each phase of the supply chain. And this isn’t just a challenge for food and drink, it’s all industries. Maxi Automation has spent nigh-on two decades forming contacts and building global networks, which has enabled us to create our own reliable supply chains. Where other suppliers come up short, we have numerous avenues for getting our hands on the equipment that clients need. Sometimes it’s just helpful to know the right people! That is why, in our opinion, we’re the very best parts supplier out there. To contact Maxi Automation call +44 (0) 208 24 24 569 or email sales@maxiautomation.com. To find out more about Maxi Automation visit www.maxiautomation.com14 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT With new controls continuing to be introduced and concerns over trade deals, fresh impacts of Brexit are being felt. F our years after Brexit officially took place, the knock on effect is continuing to impact the UK’s food and drink imports and exports. From halted trade talks to new controls forcing further red tape on businesses, the country’s exit from the EU has been anything but smooth. Tackling trade agreements Following Brexit, the UK has been trying to form new free trade agreements with countries around the world, in an attempt, in part, to reduce reliance on its largest partner, the EU — touted by Brexiteers as a key benefit of their campaign. Though the UK has signed trade deals and agreements in principle with around 70 countries and secured a UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, this has left much to be desired, with most of these simply rollover agreements that mirror deals the UK had when it was a member of the EU, while others involve countries that Britain does minimal business with. Concurrently, promises to deliver trade deals with countries including the USA and India have been broken, with no agreement expected anytime soon with the former, and talks with the latter moving ahead slowly. Brexit bother Brexit bother Food & Drink International 15 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/brainwashed 4 you A deal with Australia signed in 2021 became the first trade agreement negotiated from scratch, and while removing barriers saw significant controversy with farmers over the chance of cheap, lower standard imports undercutting UK producers. Indeed George Eustice, former environment minister and part of the negotiations, indicated it was “not actually a very good deal” for the UK and “gave away far too much for far too little in return,” with for example Australia granted full access to the UK market for its beef and sheep, with a ban on British beef in the other direction. Following this, seeing further concerns from UK meat farmers, 2022 accounted for a handshake with small trading partner New Zealand, while, in 2023, the UK signed an agreement to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Asia-Pacific trade bloc of 11 countries, strengthening its presence in the region. Though some companies will benefit, with new opportunities and tariffs cut on many items, the impact of these agreements on the UK economy is considered small, with complaints that they do little to offset the EU trade losses created by Brexit. A report from the Office for Budget Responsibility suggests entry into the CPTPP would add 0.04% to GDP after 15 years of membership, and the deals with Australia and New Zealand may increase the level of real GDP by a combined 0.1% by 2035. 2024, meanwhile, kicked off with the first instance in which the country has formally suspended talks with a possible trading partner post-EU departure, with a pause with Canada. It comes as part of disagreements over food safety and agricultural goods, 16 Á16 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT such as beef and cheese. Responding to the news, NFU president Minette Batters said: “The government’s decision to walk away from trade talks aimed at enhancing the trading relationship between the UK and Canada would have been difficult, but it’s the right decision. On products such as beef and cheese, Canada was demanding too much and offering too little, therefore preventing progress to the benefit of both countries.” Last year, the UK exported £198.1m worth of food to Canada, with cheese one of the top products, whereas Canada exported £557.7m worth of food to the UK, with wheat and maize top products. Canada had allowed tariff-free British cheese imports under a temporary rollover arrangement agreed post-Brexit, but this expired on 31 December 2023. Now, UK cheese has been moved out of the quota reserved for EU use, and into a smaller quota, said to be routinely filled to its capacity. This means UK producers will be facing tougher competition and prohibitive import taxes. Border battles While the UK continues to seek out improved trading partnerships, a major post-Brexit milestone has come with new border controls, meant to help guard against incoming diseases and pests. Introduced on 31 January 2024, after being delayed five times, risk-based (low, medium, or high) controls on food, plant and animal products imported to Britain from the EU have entered into force, reciprocating EU measures that have been in place for three years. Products which present a medium and high risk to biosecurity and health will now require new paperwork in the form of expensive export health certificates. Two further sets of controls will also be introduced this year; from 30 April 2024, the UK government will introduce documentary, physical and identity checks at the border for these products, and from 31 October 2024, safety and security declarations will be required for EU imports. Hoped to help UK producers become more competitive in the domestic market, where EU exporters have been enjoying unfettered UK access, these changes will also bring with them potential delays and increased costs to acquire certificates, utilise new IT systems, for administration and extra staff. Bumped up prices can also be expected for consumers. The introduction of new border rules also came with a surprise announcement that will lead to an influx of further costs for the fresh produce industry, with changes to how some fresh goods will be risk-categorised. Under the government’s post-Brexit Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), where plant and animal goods entering Britain from the EU face differing degrees of red tape depending on the risks they pose, many fruit and vegetable consignments previously considered low-risk will now be medium-risk, requiring additional paperwork and checks at the border. How prepared EU exporters are and how likely they are to keep trading with the UK once its rules are in full force is to be seen, with fears the extra costs and bureaucracy may push businesses to abandon exporting to Britain; especially with reports that the EU vet network needed to sign off on export health certificates for food is not prepared.Food & Drink International 17 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/NicoElNino18 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net BELZONA Today, a staggering 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food production. Whilst a large proportion of these emissions come from land use and agricultural production, the manufacturing stage alone emits over 2.4 billion tCO2e (Crippa et al). As large players in the food and drink manufacturing industry make plans for reducing emissions, it is vital to consider every way in which this can be done. Furthermore, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) estimates food production must grow by 60% by 2050 to keep up with the growing world population. With this anticipated growth in the industry, it is even more important to shift the way we manufacture food in order to meet net zero. Decarbonisation of Heat Processes To decarbonise the heat process manufacturers must switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy for heating. Currently, gas boilers still dominate the generation of hot water, steam and hot air within the food industry. Presently, the upfront costs and low fossil fuel prices are the main barriers preventing manufacturers from implementing this change. Globally, as more countries continue to decarbonise their electricity grid, taking this step will continue to become more accessible and cost-effective. Extend Lifespan of Food and Drink Assets Using Industrial Coatings and Composites Among these tactics, protective coatings and epoxy repair composites have a key role to perform in the decarbonisation of the food and drink industry. Opting to use coatings and composites extends the working life of machinery, equipment and structures. Companies like Belzona offer a wide range of coatings Decarbonising the Food and Drink Manufacturing Industry Food and drink facility where Belzona polymeric systems were deployedFood & Drink International 19 www.fdiforum.net BELZONA and composites. Many of them meet national and international standards for food contact and drinking water such as approval from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (WRAS), and Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This makes them particularly well-suited for the food and beverage industry. In this industry, food waste is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Belzona’s fast application process minimises downtime, reducing product loss and keeping waste to a minimum. By focusing on repair and protection, Belzona helps food manufacturers operate more sustainably while also extending the lifespan of equipment. Case Study: Corrosion Protection for Drinking Water Tank This drinking water tank repair at a Food Manufacturer in Poland exemplifies Belzona’s rapid and sustainable repairs. The deterioration of the concrete within the tank was leading to poorer water quality, necessitating an urgent fix. Traditional methods, like using more concrete, would have led to a lengthy shutdown, increasing waste and incurring high costs. Moreover, this wouldn't prevent the issue from recurring. Instead, the Customer chose to use Belzona to repair and coat the tank, providing them with a long-term solution, and a quick application time. First, the corroded walls needed to be rebuilt before a protective coating could be applied. After conditioning with Belzona 4911 (Magma TX Conditioner), the damaged areas of the substrate were rebuilt using Belzona 4111 (Magma- Quartz). The chosen coating to protect the walls from further corrosion was Belzona 5811DW2 (DW Immersion Grade), a 2-part epoxy coating which provides outstanding chemical resistance. It is ideal for use in the food and drink industry as it is solvent-free and has WRAS approval for contact with potable water. First, the entire contents of the base and solidifier containers were mixed thoroughly until a uniform colour was achieved. The first coat of Belzona 5811DW2 (DW Immersion Grade), could then be spray applied to the tank. Later that day, a second coat was applied in the same manner, completing the two-coat system and ensuring maximum corrosion protection. This repair significantly extended the lifespan of this piece of equipment, showcasing Belzona’s sustainable solutions within the food and drink industry. Reducing the Carbon Footprint of the Food Manufacturing Industry Ultimately, to achieve net-zero emissions in global food manufacturing by 2050, a multifaceted approach considering every possible strategy is key. Improving energy efficiency, switching to more sustainable energy sources and adjusting energy-intensive processes like heating and cooling to make them as sustainable as possible are just a few examples. Extending machinery and equipment lifespan via repair and protection systems, such as those offered by Belzona, is a key strategy for food manufacturers who are working towards reducing their environmental footprint. Want to learn more about Belzona’s solutions for the Food and Drink Industry? Visit: www.belzona.com/en/industries/food-drink.aspx Drinking water tank mid- application of Belzona 5811DW2 Belzona provides repair and protection systems for breweriesNext >