Green Innovations Green Innovations INTERNATIONAL Environmental spotlight Import and export Control and automationAdvanced Engineering MIDDLETON LTD Inline High Shear Mixer Top Entry High Shear Immersion Mixer Bottom Entry High Shear Mixer Sealed Bearing Mixer 3 Stage High Shear Mixer Dispersion Mixer Fluid Mixers AdPro Trent Industrial Estate | Duchess Street | Shaw | Lancs | OL2 7UT | UK t: +44 (0)1706 759003 | e: info@aemixers.com | w: www.aemixers.com mixing is our businessContents October 2024 This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. FoodandDrinkInternational @fdiforumwww.fdiforum.net company/fdiforum News 4 • General news • On line - production news • On the shelf - new products and initiatives Import and export12 A small domestic market makes exporting key for many Irish food and drink businesses, with their own and their government’s eyes locked on growth. Environmental spotlight16 Food brands enjoy paying lip service to environmental concerns, but a recent movement against ultra-processed foods could be a tipping point. Control and automation20 From single machines to fully integrated robotic systems, factory automation is revolutionising manufacturing processes and reshaping industry standards for efficiency and quality. • HPS Product Recovery Solutions Q&A Labelling, coding and traceability28 Scandals, allergen scares and recent contaminations have all set the stage for increased demand in labelling and traceability. Mixing and blending32 Mixing and blending are important to so many food and drink products, that much of the time it’s invisible. • Silverson Machines Q&A Group Editor: Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor: Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor’s PA: Angela Sharman (a.sharman@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist: Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales Director: Teri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales: Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310302 Accounts & Subscriptions: John Downes (j.downes@blmgroup.co.uk) Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial: Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310305 Email: fdi@blmgroup.co.uk Part of the Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE England All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. Main: stock.adobe.com/kobeza • Top: stock.adobe.com/Atthasit • Middle: stock.adobe.com/ I Viewfinder • Bottom: stock.adobe.com/ Atomazul Fruit and vegetables 38 Health-conscious eating and wellbeing have done more to market the industry than many companies. Logistics41 Global trade used to be easy, but a raft of issues and conflicts around the world are making it a minefield that food and drink manufacturers are struggling to cope with. Fi Europe44 Fi Europe is gearing up for its biggest and best year ever. From 19-21 November 2024, Messe Frankfurt will host the leading global event for food and beverage ingredients. Events 46 Your chance to keep abreast of forthcoming exhibitions and food fairs from around the world. Food and Drink Diary 50Campbell Soup Company sells Pop Secret business to Our Home Campbell Soup Company has completed the sale of the Pop Secret popcorn business to Our Home, an independent better-for-you snack company. The Pop Secret business generated net sales of approximately $120 million in fiscal 2024. Chris Foley, Executive Vice President and President, Campbell’s Snacks said: “This marks another step in our journey to strategically focus our Snacks portfolio. “The sale of Pop Secret will drive greater focus and accelerated growth across our Snacks division and portfolio of leading brands.” BofA Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor and Blank Rome served as legal advisor to Campbell’s on the transaction. 4 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news AMP’s TotalClean CIP Systems redefine industrial cleaning Automated Material Processing (AMP), comprising Kason Corporation and Marion Process Solutions, has introduced its TotalClean Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems. These innovative CIP solutions are designed to increase efficiency, safety and profitability across a range of industries including food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, chemical, cosmetic, food processing, dairy and brewing, all while meeting validation of FDA, 3A and BPE standards. The CIP systems employ advanced technology and high-pressure nozzles to thoroughly clean even in challenging and hard-to-reach areas. The automation reduces manual intervention, providing a consistent and repeatable CIP cleaning process compared to traditional methods. Furthermore, the faster cleaning cycles of Marion’s and Kason’s TotalClean CIP systems, which average 30-60 minutes, result in higher profit margins by enabling quicker batch changes and increased product throughput. AMP’s CEO, Seth Vance, said: “These systems increase operational efficiency and throughput by maximising machine utilisation and reducing downtime. Additionally, they provide a safer cleaning process with decreased manual intervention and associated risks. Plus, their customisation and retrofit capability allows our customers to seamlessly integrate these advanced solutions into their existing processes on any product or vessel.” For more information on AMP visit https://amprocessing.com/ New £38m centre to develop planet- friendly alternatives to animal proteins The University of Sheffield will co-lead a new £38 million centre to develop planet-friendly alternatives to animal proteins that could soon be a sustainable and nutritious part of diets. The researchers of the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC) aim to secure a continuous supply of safe, tasty, affordable, and healthy proteins which also support Net Zero goals and futureproof the UK’s food and animal feed security. NAPIC will receive £15m in funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Innovate UK, with the rest being invested by the centre’s partners. It will be co-led by the University of Leeds, James Hutton Institute and Imperial College London. NAPIC’s partners believe the centre will bolster the UK’s agri-food sector by harnessing world- leading science to turn ideas into reality and strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in this rapidly emerging global market. Professor Louise Dye, Co-Director at the University of Sheffield’s Institute for Sustainable Food and NAPIC, said: “With a growing world population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the demand for protein and the need for people to have access to a safe, nutritious diet will continue to rise. “However, for this to be sustainable, it’s imperative we find ways to meet this demand by supplementing traditional animal agriculture with alternative protein sources including from plants and other sources. “The key to helping consumers transition towards including alternative proteins in their diet will be ensuring consumers are aware of the safety and health benefits of alternative proteins. We will promote the integration of alternative proteins into people’s daily diets in ways which are affordable and are as desirable and healthy as conventional protein sources.” © stock.adobe.com/Melica AkzoNobel launches new high-performance internal can body coating to address long-term regulatory challenges AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings has launched AccelshieldTM 300 internal coating for beverage cans that is free of Bisphenols (non-intent) and Styrene delivering superior levels of corrosion protection while providing manufacturers with a long-term, reliable solution to address current and future regulation with respect to materials of concern. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and key beverage brands, and it is compliant with current and future EU regulations, AccelshieldTM 300 provides the metal can packaging industry with a viable and safe alternative for most challenging liquids. Laboratory and brand testing also points to an improved flavour performance compared to earlier solutions on the market. Chris Bradford, Industrial Coatings Marketing Director at AkzoNobel, says, “With AccelshieldTM 300, we are using our expertise and experience to address a range of motivations and concerns beyond those of safety and regulatory compliance or driving greater cost efficiencies. With Accelshield™ 300 we are providing the market with the cleanest coating that comes with even better performance, and because it far exceeds current regulations, we know this will be a long-term solution.” For more information visit www.akzonobel.com © stock.adobe.com/tilialucidaAvoid a costly mistake Introducing our new stainless steel barriers and bollards engineered for safety and durability in high-demand hygienic facilities. 'LUHFWWKHŚRZRIIRRWWUDśF Our range of barriers can be used to nudge staff WKURXJKWKHFKDQJLQJURRPśRZUHGXFLQJWKH chance of important steps being missed and preventing congestion. Protect the equipment that counts These barriers and bollards can be stationed around expensive equipment and buildings to give added protection from costly mishaps. Order today for free delivery! &DOOQRZRQ +44 (0)1603 788 833 visit teknomek.co.uk or email mail@teknomek.co.uk Expert Partner in Hygienic Solutions steel barriers and y and durability in es. śF o nudge staff GXFLQJWKH ssed and at counts stationed uildings to mishaps. Buy more, spend less +HDGWRRXUZHEVLWHIRUJUHDWGHDOVDFURVVRXU range of bollards and barriers so that you DOZD\VJHWWKHEHVWIRU\RXUEXGJHWScotch Whisky eyes £25m Brazilian boost UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has visited Glengoyne Distillery in Scotland to celebrate Brazil’s decision to grant special protected status to Scotch Whisky – bolstering ‘Brand Scotland’ by promoting iconic Scottish products across the world. This new protection means the Brazilian legal system recognises the special status of Scotch Whisky, making it easier to tackle counterfeits and giving distillers the confidence to up their exports to Brazil, boosting a sector that already contributes billions to the UK economy. According to industry estimates, Brazil is in the top five global growth markets for alcohol over the next 5 years and its population of over 200 million people already have an appreciation for whisky, with the UK exporting almost £90 million of the spirit to Brazil in 2023 alone. This new status, known as a Geographical Indication (GI), could be worth around £25 million over five years and will give distillers better access to South America’s largest economy, strengthening international recognition and intellectual property for Scotch Whisky. 6 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Drinks business awarded £100,000 grant to drive sustainability at distribution centre Global Brands Ltd has been awarded a £100,000 grant from the Clay Cross Town Deal’s Low Carbon Challenge Fund, set to support its sustainability strategy. The funding will be used to introduce state-of-the-art energy-efficient technologies at Global Brands’ Clay Cross distribution centre, accelerating its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve coveted net zero status by 2050. The grant will facilitate three crucial elements: the installation of energy-efficient lighting, deployment of battery storage solutions to harness solar energy, and the creation of an onsite Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuelling station. These measures are expected to substantially reduce emissions from Global Brands’ distribution operations, with the drinks business already aiming for a 40% cut per £M turnover by 2030, as well as a 92% reduction per £M turnover by 2050. Shaun Bacon, Group Managing and Financial Director at Global Brands, said: “This investment marks another pivotal moment in our sustainability journey. As part of a single-use industry, it is crucial to lead by example and adopt meaningful changes that reduce our environmental impact.” © stock.adobe.com/barmalini © stock.adobe.com/julianpicturesFood & Drink International 7 www.fdiforum.net Competition and Markets Authority clears sugar deal The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared T&L Sugars Limited’s (TLS’) deal to buy Tereos UK & Ireland’s retail sugar business, following an in-depth Phase 2 investigation led by an independent inquiry group. The clearance comes after the inquiry group explored concerns that the deal could reduce competition in the UK. Only three businesses (including TLS and Tereos’ UK retail business) supply the large majority of sugar to customers such as supermarkets and restaurants. However, having conducted a thorough investigation, the inquiry group found that, without the deal going ahead, the most likely outcome would be that Tereos’ UK retail business would close. Since closure would also result in a loss of competition absent the merger, and the evidence showed that there was no other alternative and less anti-competitive purchaser for the business besides TLS, the group has decided to clear the deal. Richard Feasey, Chair of the independent inquiry group carrying out the Phase 2 investigation, said: “Having reviewed a wide range of evidence… we believe that the right outcome is to clear this deal.” news General Mills to sell North American Yogurt business to Lactalis and Sodiaal General Mills has entered into definitive agreements to sell its North American Yogurt business to Lactalis and Sodiaal, two French dairy companies, in cash transactions valued at an aggregate $2.1 billion. Following the completion of the transactions, the U.S. and Canadian businesses will operate independently, with Lactalis acquiring the U.S. business and Sodiaal acquiring the Canadian business. The proposed transactions are expected to close in calendar 2025, subject to receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The divestitures encompass the U.S. and Canada operations of several yogurt brands including Yoplait, Liberté, Go-Gurt, Oui, Mountain High, and:ratio, as well as manufacturing facilities in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Reed City, Mich., and Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec. Collectively, the North American Yogurt business contributed approximately $1.5 billion to General Mills’ fiscal 2024 net sales. © stock.adobe.com/Maksud © stock.adobe.com/AtlasMount Franklin Foods acquires assets from Stuffed Puffs Mount Franklin Foods, a manufacturer of branded, contract and private label confectionary, nuts, snacks, and foodservice products, has acquired the assets from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based Stuffed Puffs. Stuffed Puffs, known for its innovative and proprietary technology for producing high-quality marshmallow products filled with milk chocolate and other ingredients, has garnered significant consumer?attention and has been the leading driver of growth?in its category since its launch in 2019. Founded by Michael Tierney, Stuffed Puffs has benefited from celebrity investors like Grammy- nominated artist Marshmello and his manager Moe Shalizi. “As we continue to evolve our business, the acquisition of Stuffed Puffs represents a significant step in broadening our confectionery portfolio,” said Enrique Grajeda, CEO of Mount Franklin Foods. “We are excited to wed our strengths with those of Stuffed Puffs to deliver even more value and innovation to our customers.” Planted invests in production site in Germany Planted, the Swiss FoodTech pioneer for plant-based meat made exclusively from clean ingredients, is further investing in capacity expansion with the addition of a new production facility in southern Germany. Based on fermentation technology, it is said the site will become the most modern production facility for plant-based meat in Europe. Green technology plays a central role in the construction of the new plant. Research and production have been carried out at the main site in Kemptthal, Switzerland, since 2020. The German market now makes the largest contribution to the approximately 75% share of exports. With the aim of producing as close and locally to consumers as possible, Planted has now decided to build another production site in Memmingen, Bavaria, Germany. An old brewery site is being revitalised. Commissioning is planned for the first quarter of 2025, and the final expansion stage will create more than 50 technical and operational jobs while producing more than 20 tons of plant- based meat per day in the medium-term. 10 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net on line Key Technology introduces high-capacity vibratory conveyors for advanced applications Key Technology, a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Solutions group, introduces high-capacity vibratory conveyors for advanced food handling applications. Conveying up to 100,000 lbs of product an hour and available in widths more than 10 feet, these extra-large, high- capacity conveyors can be engineered for grading, aligning, distributing and other specialized food handling functions. Achieving new levels of versatility at high throughputs, Key’s Iso-Flo®, Impulse®, Zephyr® and Marathon® vibratory conveyors offer industry-leading reliability, superior sanitation and minimal maintenance requirements. “As demand for processed foods continues to grow, processors are looking to maximize production capacity on existing lines and install new lines capable of higher-than-ever throughputs. Key’s high- capacity conveyors support these objectives while helping processors streamline their operations, reduce labor and maximize profits,” said Jack Lee, Duravant Group President - Food Sorting and Handling Solutions. “Our deep expertise in natural frequency, electromagnetic and horizontal-motion food conveying makes Key Technology uniquely positioned to design and build these high-capacity systems.” To find out more about Key Technology visit www.key.net. © stock.adobe.com/recyap Plant-Ex secures £9m investment to cook up international growth Manufacturer of natural food ingredient solutions Plant- Ex Ingredients has secured a £9 million minority investment from BGF – to drive its international expansion, with a focus on the US market. The funding will help to underpin significant international growth for the Bristol-based business, which specialises in the development, manufacture and distribution of natural food colours, extracts and flavours. Founded in 2010, Plant-Ex supplies food manufacturers across the globe, directly through its own facilities and via its network of distribution partners. Plant-Ex has recently expanded, with a new factory in Bristol that’s double the capacity of its previous site and is primed to enable further growth within the UK and internationally. Special focus has also been placed on the US market, following the launch of a Plant-Ex Ingredients LLC in Chicago, earlier this year. In addition to its operations in the UK and US, Plant-Ex has sites in Poland and Turkey. Cargill opens blending facility in Indonesia for multi-sensorial sugar confectionery products With demand for multi-sensorial sugar confectionery products on the rise, Cargill is enhancing its starches, sweeteners, and texturizers capabilities and offerings with a new blending facility in its flagship site in Pandaan, East Java, Indonesia. Cargill’s first blending facility located within Southeast Asia strengthens its capability to serve sugar confectionery customers and consumers in Asia. Francesca Kleemans, Managing Director, Food Solutions Southeast Asia, Cargill, says: “The sugar confectionery industry in Asia Pacific is projected to grow at 5% CAGR from 2024 to 2028. Meanwhile, Cargill’s 2024 TrendTrackerTM proprietary research revealed that 40% of APAC consumers are prioritizing texture in their food & beverage choices. When it comes to sugar confectionery products, Asian consumers show a preference for a diversity of textures – from hard candies and chewy gummies to popping and fizzy sweets. “Serving the Asia Pacific region, with Indonesia as one of the key markets, our new state-of-art blending facility allows Cargill to develop ‘Asia for Asia’ specialty solutions, combining modified starches, sweeteners, pectin and carrageenan to help create exciting sugar confectionery treats with different textures for Asian consumers.” © stock.adobe.com/alinamd © stock.adobe.com/Scott Harms © stock.adobe.com/Vladimirpowered by employee share-ownership Love your planet, please use less packaging ůƵĞƟŶƚŐƵƐƐĞƚĞĚďĂŐƐ tĂƚĞƌƉƌŽŽĨ ϱϬŵŝĐƌŽŶ>W •Ideal for agricultural,mechanical, ĨŽŽĚĂŶĚŝŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂůĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ • &ŽŽĚƐĂĨĞͲƉƌĞǀĞŶƚƐĐŽŶƚĂŵŝŶĂƟŽŶ •Available in a range of sizes for ǀĂƌŝŽƵƐĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ powered by employee share-ownership 02476 420065 ŽǁŶůŽĂĚŽƵƌ ĂƉƉƚŽĚĂLJ͊ kitepackaging.co.uk &ŝŶĚŽƵƚŵŽƌĞ Love your planet, please use less packaging ĂŶ͛ƚĮŶĚǁŚĂƚLJŽƵ͛ƌĞůŽŽŬŝŶŐĨŽƌ͍ ƌŽǁƐĞŽǀĞƌϮ͕ϱϬϬƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐŽŶůŝŶĞĂƚ͗ kitepackaging.co.uk WĂĐŬĂŐŝŶŐ ĨŽƌLJŽƵƌďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ďŽdžůŝŶĞƌƐ ŽƌƌƵŐĂƚĞĚŝŶƐƵůĂƚĞĚ ϭϮϱŐƐŵƉĂƉĞƌ • ,ŝŐŚͲƋƵĂůŝƚLJŝŶƐƵůĂƟŶŐďŽdžůŝŶĞƌƐ • ƐĞīĞĐƟǀĞĂƐƉŽůLJƐƚLJƌĞŶĞǁŝƚŚ temperature control • ĂƐLJƚŽĂƐƐĞŵďůĞǁŝƚŚƐĞĂůͲΘͲƉĞĞůƐƚƌŝƉ Keeps content chilled for ϯϭŚŽƵƌƐ͊Next >