Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

Obstacles block radical innovation in fresh meat

09-Feb-2010 - The fresh meat aisle might seem a prime target for innovation in sustainable packaging. But cost issues, along with differing interpretations of ‘sustainability’, are hindering the process, reports sister title Food Manufacture.

Hybrid printing press to boost performance for shrink sleeves, lids

08-Feb-2010 - Greater production efficiency, flexibility and state-of-the art capabilities are benefits that lids and shrink sleeve manufacturer Nyco said it can offer after investing in a new hybrid printing press.

Food packaging to aid aluminium’s global surge

08-Feb-2010 - Increasing use of aluminium food and beverage packaging in developing countries will be one factor behind a possible surge in global demand for the material, said one industry leader.

Frozen food packaging growth trends

04-Feb-2010 - Growing demand for convenience food and technical advances in packaging will be two of the main drivers behind US demand for frozen food packaging reaching almost $7bn in 2013, according to a new report.

Proseal to launch ‘flagship’ tray sealing machine

04-Feb-2010 - Proseal has said the launch of two new machines demonstrates its flexibility in being able offer tray sealing solutions for all types of food operations.

Socoplas develops recyclable PET jars for jams and sauces

04-Feb-2010 - Socoplas has developed new PET plastic jars for preserves and sauces that are suitable for recycling thanks to a monolayer oxygen barrier system.

Crown eyes acquisitions; forecasts demand rebound in US and Europe

03-Feb-2010 - Crown Holdings said it is looking to make acquisitions in emerging markets and expected demand in its North American and Western European packaging sectors to bounce back this year.

Purchasing habits informing packaging trends at Pro Sweets

02-Feb-2010 - Factors such as ease of opening and resealable closures rather than sustainability of materials are driving upcoming packaging developments, claims Mondi Consumer Flexibles.

Amcor completes Alcan acquisition

02-Feb-2010 - Global packaging giant Amcor today announced that its acquisition of Alcan Packaging had been completed as it spelled out what the move would mean for suppliers and customers.

Nanotech risk assessment bill introduced in US

29-Jan-2010 - A bill under scrutiny in the United States Senate would create a new nanotechnology risk assessment program within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

News in brief

Nordenia sell-off rumours

29-Jan-2010 - Owners of flexible packaging company Nordenia International are trying to sell the company for around €600m ($844m), according to media reports.

Kraft lightens packaging load by 116m kg

29-Jan-2010 - Kraft Foods said the development of an innovative packaging design tool and choosing smarter packaging solutions has helped it has cut 116m kg (150m pounds) of packaging from its supply chain since 2005.

Bemis sees upturn in flexible packaging demand

29-Jan-2010 - Bemis said a gradual improvement in demand for flexible packaging, especially for shelf-life extension products, was a major factor in it posting better than expected Q4 and year end results.

Eco packaging supplier targets premium choc market

28-Jan-2010 - Pro Sweets, the upcoming confectionery industry trade show, will see the release of an environmentally friendly aesthetically enhanced paperboard for the premium confectionery market, says the Finnish company behind the packaging component.

Sustainable packaging definitions and principles agreed

28-Jan-2010 - Global leaders across the packaging, food manufacturing and retail sectors have approved a set of common definitions and principles for sustainable packaging.

Bericap launches new aseptic friendly sports cap

28-Jan-2010 - Bericap has launched a new sports drink closure that claims to combine suitability for aseptic filling with high flow rates.

Mocon unveils 'one stop' food and packaging testing system

27-Jan-2010 - A new one-stop testing service will speed up trial times of the analysis of food and beverages along with their related packaging - from raw material to transport to shelf life, said Mocon.

'Revolutionary' fruit punnet to aid shelf life extension

26-Jan-2010 - A “revolutionary” ventilation system for a new soft fruit punnet reduces condensation by 20 per cent to help extend shelf life, said manufacturer Sharp Interpack.

News in brief

Appletiser cans go for a Rexam matt finish

26-Jan-2010 - Appletiser has begun using a matt over varnish technique from Rexam in the UK as the packaging firm continues to work on improving the impact of its can finishes.

MillerCoors misleads with “special” packaging claims, says watchdog

26-Jan-2010 - MillerCoors has come under fire from a US advertising watchdog for allegedly misleading claims made about its “Taste Protector” packaging.

Europen hits back on sustainable packaging charge

25-Jan-2010 - The European Organization for Packaging and the Environment (Europen) has rejected the charge that the packaging sector hasn’t done enough to reach a consensus over what constitutes sustainable packing.

Dairy proteins could have packaging potential

25-Jan-2010 - Food-packaging products made from dairy ingredients could provide a viable alternative to petroleum-based packaging products, according to scientist based at the US Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

Weekly comment

Cheesed off – jingoism takes the spoils in the Cadbury battle

25-Jan-2010 - Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated, quipped Mark Twain. Predictions of the demise of Cadbury following the approval of Kraft’s offer are premature and are flawed by knee-jerk anti-Americanism.

Linpac completes financial overhaul as new owners unveiled

25-Jan-2010 - Linpac has insisted that day-to-day operations will not be affected as it announced its debt had been halved after ownership of the company switched to a banking syndicate.