Special Newsletter: Sustainable Packaging

Nestle tackles food contact chemicals in recycled paper

Nestle is cracking down on food contact materials in recycled paper as it addresses some of the challenges of reducing its environmental impact, according to head of packaging Anne Roulin.

Toppan builds “mother factory” to focus on flexible packaging

Toppan Printing Co., is investing 27bn Yen (US$292m) in what it described as the “mother factory” in Japan in anticipation of flexible packaging growth overseas.

News in brief

Scotland trials recycling incentive

Scotland is attempting to boost recycling rates by offering “recycle and reward” pilot schemes for empty bottles and cans.

Coke admits Atlanta city may seek wastewater damages

The Coca-Cola Company revealed yesterday that City of Atlanta regulatory authorities may seek monetary or other sanctions against it due to potential inaccuracies in wastewater reports submitted by its Atlanta...

News in brief

Sidel claims ‘firsts’ with triangular PET bottle design

Sidel says it has created the first triangular PET bottle for the water market, and the only mineral water bottle without a label, where product information is engraved in to...

FoodProductionDaily.com visits Linpac in Germany

Linpac shows off German investment and plan to boost PET

Linpac has recently completed a €9m investment in two German facilities to drive the market change in the country from polypropylene (PP) to polyethylene terephthalate (PET).FoodProductionDaily.com was invited along to see...

Special Newsletter: Sustainable Packaging

Datamonitor expert outlines sustainable packaging trends

While cost reduction is fuelling packaging reduction, the high cost of environmentally-friendly packaging relative to oil remains a barrier to widespread adoption by the food industry, according to Datamonitor packaging...

Special Newsletter: Sustainable Packaging

DuPont: water use and protective role crucial factors in sustainable packaging

Packaging suppliers and manufacturers must address water use and preserve the protective role of packaging when approaching the issue of packaging sustainability, DuPont’s sustainability director told FoodProductionDaily.com.

Special Newsletter: Sustainable Packaging

Algaeplast: 100% algae-based packaging within five years

Cereplast’s new venture Algaeplast aims to develop 100% algae-based packaging within five years, Frederic Scheer, managing director of the subsidiary, told FoodProductionDaily.com.

Consumers will pay more for local foods: Study

Consumers are willing to pay more for foods that are grown and produced locally rather than having travelled extensively during production, according to new research.

South Africa supply chain concern after meat findings - study

Donkey, goat and water buffalo have been found unlabelled in meat products in South Africa raising “significant concern” on the functioning of the supply chain, according to a study.

Exclusive interview

Datamonitor’s Streeter: recycling is “holy grail” of sustainable packaging

Closed loop recycling is the “holy grail” of sustainable packaging, according to Andrew Streeter, packaging innovation director at market analyst Datamonitor.

Gulfood 2013 blog

Social media threat behind food packaging growth

Sometimes the most interesting information comes from the most unlikely sources.

Total plant assurance model is reaping rewards, says Ecolab

A total plant assurance approach has enabled Ecolab to win new business and offset slow conditions in the beverage and protein markets.

FPD: people on the move February 2013

FoodProductionDaily.com takes a look at the key moves that have taken place in the industry this past month. Husky, Mocon and Eriez are some of the firms involved in the...

Experts challenge study linking BPA to brain damage

Scientists from across the globe have questioned the conclusions of an ‘in vitro’ US study on rats, mice and humans that claims bisphenol A (BPA) may cause brain damage.

Clean label starch technology opens up markets

Ingredion’s new clean label starch technology offers fresh opportunities in tough markets, Cathrin Kurz, marketing manager, wholesome ingredients, for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), told FoodProductionDaily.com.

ABF calls Oxfam food ethics attack ‘ridiculous’

Associated British Foods – worst-in-class in an Oxfam report critical of 10 food giants for essentially operating under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) “veil of secrecy” – has hit back, slamming the...

News in brief

Arla recalls gorgonzola in Canada over Listeria contamination fears

Arla Foods has initiated a recall in Canada for an imported brand of gorgonzola cheese over concerns the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

News in brief

Gast to move air at ComVac

Gast Group is previewing its GAST and JUN-AIR ranges of air moving equipment and launching three oil-less rocking piston air compressors and vacuum pumps at ComVac, Hannover in April.

Cellulose mooted as eco-friendly replacement in MAP packaging

An EU project is aiming to produce cellulose-based materials to be used in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), to replace traditional oil-based substances.

ProSweets 2013

Metal tin packaging has gone ‘back to basics’, says Crown

The metal tin packaging market has gone ‘back to basics’ – to what is good for the environment and good for Europe, marketing manager for Crown says.

News in brief

Elopak installs UK's first gable-top aseptic filling machine for Fruitapeel

UK juice and smoothie company Fruitapeel has installed the UK's first gable-top carton aseptic filling line for juice, enabling British-based production for the first time, using an Elopak machine.

Pacepacker delivers cost effective pick and place solution

Food manufacturers can access more economical pick and place systems thanks to the launch of UK automated packing specialist Pacepacker Services' second hand Blu-Robot solutions.

Pregis tech support system aims to maximise efficiency

Pregis has implemented its predictive tech support system to try and prevent downtime before it occurs.

News in brief

O-I signs agreement to boost R&D

O-I has partnered with a US university to provide support at its R&D innovation center due to open later this year.

Horse meat committee hears audits are flawed

A retired meat inspector has called the audit system a “disgrace” and said it is in need of a “total review” in evidence given to a UK government committee dealing...

2 Sisters invests in extra capacity

UK food manufacturer 2 Sisters Food Group is investing in an extension to its factory in Newport, south Wales and alterations to two chicken processing plants in England.

Netherlands blocks E.coli-tainted beef from Brazil

The Netherlands has turned away a shipment of E.coli-contaminated beef from Brazil just days after an unconnected major beef-related E.coli scare began in Canada.

Ahlstrom demerger delayed again due to competition concerns

Ahlstrom’s proposed combination of its Label and Processing business with Munksjö has taken a blow after the European Commission raised competition concerns.

Industry Voices - UPM

UPM addresses food label legal compliance

In this special guest article, UPM Raflatac explain to FoodProductionDaily.com the key concerns, now that the EU 10/2011 regulation has come into force.

News in brief

Automation boost for bottling company

Kawasaki Robotics UK has supplied a palletising robot to a beer bottling company to boost competitiveness.  

Mondi focuses on high growth areas and integration

Global packaging giant Mondi will concentrate on higher growth products such as consumer packaging, and business integration following its 2012 €1.2bn acquisition spree, it reported in its full-year results.

CFIA investigates “possible link” in E.coli outbreak

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is trying to establish if there is a link between a current E.coli outbreak from burgers produced at the same facility it investigated in...

Air velocity indirectly impacts cocoa browning during roasting: Study

Temperature and its duration have the biggest impact on the browning of cocoa beans during roasting, but air velocity also indirectly influences the process, a study finds.

Differing factors lead to paper and board decrease, says CEPI

The consumption of paper and board decreased by 4%-5% compared to 2011, according to preliminary statistics from the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI).

News in brief

‘Sophisticated party beverages’ see Del Monte partner SIG Combibloc

SIG Combibloc is supplying Del Monte with 1000ml carton packs for its new fruit-based drink range Del Monte Occasions in the UK.

EnWave vacuum technology boosts functional ingredient content of dried fruit

In a technology demonstration, EnWave, based in Vancouver, BC, has used its used its proprietary Radiant Energy Vacuum dehydration technology to enrich dried fruit  with the enzyme B-galactosidase; an enzyme responsible...

Action needed to minimise EDC risk, says UK charity

The head of a UK charity has said “enough is enough” on the back of a UN report published yesterday calling for more research on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

DuPont real-time salmonella test certified

Food processors seeking rapid solutions in the war against pathogens have access to a fresh weapon in the form of the DuPont BAX System for detecting Salmonella.

Meat helps Sealed Air beat economic blues

Meat solutions in the Americas helped Sealed Air Corporation offset struggles in tough markets during its fourth financial quarter (Q4), according to president and chief executive officer Jerome Peribere.

News in brief

ITW weighs up Industrial Packaging segment options

Illinois Tool Works may sell or spin-off their Industrial Packaging business in a strategic review, according to the firm.

Rexam strengthens Red Bull bond with new $175m Swiss investment

Rexam says it will build on its already strong relationship with Red Bull by building a new £115m ($175m) specialty can plant with a 2.2bn capacity for the energy drinks...

ProSweets 2013 Cologne

Duyvis Wiener: Continuous liquid conch saves on time, energy and space

Royal Duyvis Wiener and Lehmann’s new continuous liquid conch saves time, energy and space for chocolate manufacturers, its international sales manager says.

Nutripack snaps up injection moulding business

Paccor Netherlands has sold its injection-moulding foodservice business to Proplast subsidiary Nutripack Benelux for an undisclosed sum, freeing itself up to focus on developing its core foodservice thermoforming capabilities.

Nestlé dragged into horse meat controversy

Nestlé has become the latest company to be dragged in to the horse meat scandal with the firm recalling two products due to traces of horse DNA.

More research needed on EDCs, says UN report

More research is needed on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to assess potential effects on health, according to a UN report.  

Rethinking sandwich cream processing after trans fat removal

Manufacturers must rethink production of sandwich creams for bakery fillings and biscuits after a trend to remove trans fatty acids and reduce saturated fatty acids has affected the consistency of...

Stable Micro Systems boosts rice quality testing

Texture analysis specialist Stable Micro Systems has launched a rice extrusion rig conforming to the newly-released International Standard (ISO 11747) for rice testing.

News in brief

EFSA green light for post-consumer PET process

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has backed a method used to recycle post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for use in food contact materials.

Germany queries anthraquinone amid cancer fears

Fears about food contact material anthraquinone’s carcinogenic properties have prompted Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) to drop it from its recommended list for food packaging substances.

EC approves animal meal in fish food

The European Commission (EC) has approved the use of pork and poultry meal for fish feed, flying in the face of UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommendations.

Short term delivery requests affecting aluminium foil manufacturers, says EAFA

Short term delivery requests are continuing to affect production and planning of European manufacturers, according to the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA).

BPA exposure too low to cause negative effects, finds meta-analyses

A meta-analysis of bisphenol A (BPA) studies has shown human exposure is likely to be too low for estrogenic effects, according to a US toxicologist.

News in brief

EU amendment means industrial cores are not packaging, concludes CEPI

Industrial cores are not packaging, according to the Confederation of the European Paper Industries (CEPI) after an amendment to EU packaging legislation.

Food for thought

Aussie producers: like lambs facing a lion

Loyalty. It is the lynchpin of all commercial success. One regular, loyal customer is more valuable to an entrepreneur than 10 new ones.

Packaging trends and ideas

Confectionery ‘spoiled’ by bland pack styles

Confectioners’ innovative products are being ruined by unimaginative pack styles, according to a packaging expert at Datamonitor.

NYC mayor declares war on packaging waste

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has vowed to clean up the streets of his city in more ways than one – proposing to slash food waste and ban Styrofoam packaging.

4pm CET Horse Meat update

Food safety meetings seek horse meat clarity

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revealed it has nearly a thousand more tests to conduct but so far has not found any new cases of horse meat in...

Seaweed coating for food packaging

A €1.26m project examining food packaging coatings made from seaweed has been launched by several stakeholder groups across the supply chain.

Glass-filling investments boost South America for O-I

O-I said heavy investment in glass-filling capabilities in South America is ensuring they are well positioned for continued growth in the region.

Amcor claims lightest 64oz hot fill PET bottle

Amcor Rigid Plastics has claimed to have developed the lightest 64oz hot fill polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle.

News in brief

GreenBlue appoints Katherine O’Dea as director of innovation

GreenBlue has confirmed the appointment of Katherine O’Dea as director of innovation.

First UK drinks carton reprocessing plant opens soon

The chief executive of the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE) UK said everything was on track for the country’s first beverage carton reprocessing facility to come online from...

Horse meat scandal sees testing demand rocket

Demand for testing services due to the horse meat controversy has increased “several hundred percent” from all across Europe according to Eurofins.

Sonoco cites "operating issues" for troubled 2012

Sonoco identified self-inflicted operating issues that increased costs and reduced productivity as being behind “worse than expected” full year results and pointed to “contingency plans to reduce costs” until the...

GEA ultrasonic sealing innovation helps cut waste

GEA Food Solutions has devised an ultrasonic bag sealing machine that gives consistent results for films as thin as 30 microns.

News in brief

EFSA gives conditional backing to liquid absorber in packaging

A European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel has backed the use of an active substance used as a liquid absorber in food packaging under certain conditions.

Ultra lightweight Beck’s bottle retains original strength: Ardagh Group

Ardagh Group says its new ‘ultra lightweight’ 275ml beer bottle produced for Anheuser Busch InBev brand Beck’s weighs 11% less than the original while retaining the same container strength.

Sealed Air Diversey works on lactic acid applications

Sealed Air Diversey is working on a project enabling beef processors to apply lactic acid as an anti-microbial to carcasses, following its approval for such use within the EU.

China’s foodservice packaging market to overtake US

China’s foodservice packaging market will become bigger than that of the US by 2020 at current annual growth rates, according to a report just issued by Smithers Pira.

Portola re-aligns to target packaging closures

Portola Packaging is to shut one site while expanding two others as part of a $12m investment in its closure business.

Novelis hopes investment will overcome tough Q3

Novelis has said it is undergoing a “heavy investment period” but added that the focus on key end markets will enable continued growth.

News in brief

Ball Corporation to close Illinois site

Ball Corporation is to close a food and aerosol packaging manufacturing facility with the loss of 245 jobs by the end of the year.

News in brief

Milacron buys Mold-Masters for €714m

Milacron has bought Mold-Masters for CAD$975m (€714m) and said the deal opens up greater opportunities for global expansion.

Fonterra recalls CalciYum kids’ yogurt over ‘choking’ fears

Fonterra Brands Australia is pulling batches of CalciYum yogurt from supermarket shelves across Australia over concerns that the product's “weakened” plastic cap could present a choking hazard.

Exclusive interview with retiring plastics industry expert

Constant innovation key to industry leadership, says plastics veteran

James Johnson has told FoodProductionDaily.com that the key to staying at the top of the plastics industry is to “keep innovating”, especially when it comes to the engineering of equipment....

Basque researchers hone rapid pathogen detection

Rapid diagnosis tools to identify germs on the production line are being developed by scientists at the Basque CIC microGUNE cooperative research centre.

Employee loses thumb at crisp factory

A crisp manufacturer has been fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs after a man lost his thumb in an unguarded machine at its factory in Crumlin, Newport, Wales.

Horse meat controversy on agenda in Brussels

EU ministers will hold a meeting in Brussels tomorrow (13 February) to take “whatever steps may be necessary” to address the implications of horse meat in beef products.

Nampak to boost beverage business with investment

Nampak is to invest in equipment to boost its bottle and can producing business to meet growing market demand.

News in brief

Brillopak launches robotic palletiser for fruit and veg

Brillopak has unveiled a robotic palletiser aimed at solving the challenges of supplying the retail sector for the fruit and vegetable packers.

ABA ENERGY GUIDE: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Emerging technologies offer promise for energy efficiency, says American Bakers Association

Infrared ovens, reflective coatings and phase-change materials for freezing hold promise for improved energy efficiency in the baking industry, says the American Bakers Association (ABA).

Rebiofoam develops pilot production line for eco-friendly foamed packaging

An EU project has successfully developed a semi-industrial pilot line for the production of biodegradable 3D-shaped packaging from renewable raw materials such as starch and water.

News in brief

Tri-Star unveils tamper-resistant packaging

Tri-Star Packaging has launched a range of tamper-resistant containers designed to offer consumers complete confidence when buying salad and deli items out-of-home.

Plasma power fights germs in food

Food processors can zap harmful organisms in packaged products using plasma power, thanks to a method just discovered by scientists at Glasgow University in Scotland.

Environmental impact results mixed for rigid packaging

Rigid packaging’s green credentials are mixed, according to the latest report from US consulting and publishing firm Allied Development.

ProSweets 2013 Cologne

Quick changeovers for chocolate novelty wrapping machine, says Rasch

German equipment supplier Rasch claims that its new wrapping machine for chocolate novelties is capable of rapid changeovers and can accommodate a variety of different shapes.

CASE STUDY

Wells & Young’s hails Domino effect after printing investment

The UK’s largest private brewer, Wells & Young’s, says that investing in new coding and marking technology from Domino has enabled it to significantly cut costs and increase productivity....

Ecoplas label proves massive boost for recycling

Systems Labelling has extended its Ecoplas recyclable labels to squeezy bottles, dramatically improving the recycling of these containers for manufacturers of, for example, ketchup and sauces.

Global roll out for Nestlé’s eco-friendly measuring tool

Nestlé is implementing Ecodex, a web tool analyzing the environmental impact of its business across all its global operations, claiming it is more effective than standard life cycle analysis.

More regulation on the horizon following horse meat scandal?

The ongoing horse meat scandal in the UK and Ireland is very likely to prompt more and stricter legislation to ensure traceability, according to partner at UK law firm Roythornes...

Urgent testing ordered as ‘beef’ lasagne found with 100% horse meat

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has ordered all British companies to test their beef products after it found beef lasagne from Findus contained up to 100% horse meat.

News in brief

AMERIPEN’s first executive director to retire

Joan Pierce, the inaugural executive director of the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN), is to retire at the end of March.

Market failures threaten PET recycling, says Plastics Recyclers Europe

Plastics Recyclers Europe has called for more polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to be collected to make use of industry resources.

Graphic Packaging eyes global growth

Graphic Packaging’s CEO and president has revealed he would like the firm “to be bigger” in Latin America but said there are no immediate acquisition plans.

News in brief

Deal will benefit both of us, says CEO

Emballator Lagan Plast has acquired Bra Plast in Vittsjö AB, Sweden to offer a broader product portfolio and faster to market development.

German agencies attempt to tackle nanomaterials in EU regulation

Three German government agencies have developed a proposal for amending European chemical regulation for nanomaterials.

ABA Energy Guide: Light Savings

American Bakers Association sheds light on energy savings

The American Bakers Association (ABA) has produced a guide to energy saving for industrial bakers that says costs can be significantly cut by making the right lighting choices.

Industry defends itself against recalls

The food and drink industry is tackling risks associated with volatile supply chains, such as recalls, through innovation, according to a joint research paper from Campden BRI and JLT Specialty....

Dangerous drug-laced ‘Brazilian slimming coffee’ brand still sold in US

Despite a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning that a sibutramine-laced ‘Brazilian Slimming Coffee’ may pose a 'significant risk' to some US consumers, the product is still widely available online.

Sustainable foods summit calls for supply chain efficiencies

The desperate need to improve supply chain efficiency was the core message of the Sustainable Foods Summit in San Francisco in the US, which ran from January 22-23.

News in brief

Food packing remains strong for Adept

Adept has said food packing has continued to be one of the strongest markets for its robotic components, as part of its Q2 2013 results.

Industry needs to be more open about nanomaterial use, says As You Sow

A US not-for-profit organisation has slammed the “murky issue” around potential risks of nanomaterial use and pledged to test products to assess their safety.

GEA drives sales and profit growth forward

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft has reported strong sales and profit growth in its full-year results, with the increasingly difficult economic situation failing to dent customer demand.

US meat ban in Russia extends to turkey

Russia has extended its ban on US pork and beef imports to include turkey, in connection with the continued dispute over product contamination by the growth chemical ractopamine.

Majority of Europeans believe food and drinks contain chemicals - study

More than three-quarters of Europeans believe that food and drinks contain chemical substances, according to a survey.

Hot extrusion process can manipulate nutritional status of RTE snacks: Review

There is potential in hot extrusion processing to enhance the nutritional profile of ready-to-eat (RTE) snack products enabling health demands to be plugged in a booming sector, a new review...

ProSweets 2013 Cologne

‘Flexibility was the aim behind R&D’: Carle&Montanari-OPM on new machines

Flexibility was the aim behind Carle&Montanari-OPM’s new launches for chocolate preparation and primary packaging that it showcased at ProSweets, its sales and marketing manager said.

News in brief

Bullish cuts pay off for Stora Enso

Stora Enso has recorded increased sales in its Renewable Packaging segment in the quarter as it continues to streamline operations.

News in brief

Amcor completes sell off of three sites

Integrated Packaging Group (IPG) has completed the acquisition of three sites from Amcor Flexibles Packaging.

Netzsch does the Rumba to optimise chocolate processing

Netzsch has claimed that it offers an energy efficient chocolate production process as its grinding and liquid-conching processes run simultaneously in different equipment.

Citral beats oregano as antimicrobial agent in active packaging

Using citral is better than oregano essential oil (OEO) as an active agent on ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) coated polypropylene (PP) film at reducing microorganisms on salad, according to research.

Crown extends JV with self-heating drinks packaging firm HeatGenie

Crown Holdings has signed a deal with Austin-based HeatGenie to accelerate efforts to bring the latter’s self-heating for beverage and ‘sippable soup’ packaging technology to market in 2013.

FSA calls urgent meeting after pork DNA found in halal meat

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is holding an urgent meeting of retailers and suppliers today (Monday) following the discovery or pork DNA in halal meat supplied to prisons in England...

Results season round-up

Results at a glance: MWV, Berry, O-I and Ball Corp

FoodProductionDaily.com takes a look at the latest financial results from MWV, Berry, O-I and Ball Corporation to see which are the key market trends.

News in brief

CAFÉ project to hold workshop to present results

An EU project group is to host a workshop showcasing its results of finding more advanced ways to control food processing in different sectors in Paris this month.  

News in brief

SunOpta doubles re-sealable pouch capability due to demand

SunOpta is to more than double its flexible re-sealable pouch capacity in response to demand for the packaging.

Indian politics

President calls for urgent reforms to double food production

India's agriculture sector must be reformed if it is to double food production over the next five years, India’s president has told a conference in Delhi. 

Sealed Air president outlines food safety priorities

The food industry should urgently address food access, food safety and food waste as its core priorities, according to Sealed Air Corporation president and chief executive officer Jerome Peribere.

Food Standards Agency releases 2013 research priorities

Studies tackling pathogens and contaminants, both organic and inorganic, are highlighted in the UK’s Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) list of 2013 research priorities.

Burger King drops supplier over horse meat saga

Burger King has dropped supplier Silvercrest Foods as a beef patty supplier to its UK restaurants after it emerged that meat samples testing positive for horse DNA had come from...

Canada Bread CEO on bakery closures: “We must adapt to food inflation and rising costs”

Canada Bread Company will close two fresh bakeries in Canada in a bid to improve efficiency and reduce overheads as it reacts to food inflation and rising costs, its CEO...

Paperboard bottle combines 'best features' of cartons, bottles - SIG Combibloc

SIG Combibloc has unveiled its latest beverage packaging innovation - a paperboard bottle that combines the “best features” of a carton pack with the best features of a bottle....

Thermo Fisher Scientific updates X-ray system to meet customer demand

Thermo Fisher Scientific has added upgraded its X-ray source, drum motors and line configuration time on one of its detection systems.

Crown Holdings and Bemis look ahead to bright 2013

Crown predicted strong unit volumes in beverage and Bemis expects to push ahead after a year of re-organising the business, as both firms reported their Q4 and full year results.

News in brief

Huhtamaki invests $60m on US site

Huhtamaki has purchased a manufacturing facility in the US to produce paperboard packaging.