Foss, the Danish based quality assurance equipment provider, has
announced the relaunch of its Winescan sampling and testing system
with an improved quality assurance module.
Alcoa has announced plans to expand its plastic closure division
for bottle caps and lids by increasing the manufacturing capacity
in North America and China.
In Australia, CSIRO has established the spin-off company, Polymer
Surface Technology, to commercialise its breakthrough SICOR bonding
technology which has a number of application for food and beverage
packaging.
A strong performance from its Tree of Life business in Europe gave
Dutch food group Wessanen something to smile about in 2002 -
otherwise the year was marked by more disposals and continued
problems at the US arm.
Organisers of Ipack-Ima, the triennial event for the international
packaging and food processing industry, predict that this year food
processing will major role when the event opens its doors on 4
March.
The FDF is to hold a seminar for the UK food and beverage industry
on the introduction of electronic export declarations, coinciding
with its introduction on 30 April.
Nutraceutical Clinical Laboratories International has said that its
NuPreserv manufacturing facility has received a 'superior' rating
from the American Institute of Baking International.
A panel of Dutch scientific experts has positively approved
Bakkerij Veenhuis' request for a health claim for the Vitaalbrood
Flora range of bread products containing Sensus' Frutafit inulin.
Sharp Interpack, the UK-based manufacturer of rigid packaging, is
investing some €3 million at its manufacturing plant in Bridgwater,
as well as introducing a new leadership team.
Research now underway will provide the means to develop novel forms
of bread, and other foods, which contain increased amounts of
soluble fibre, making them far healthier than they currently are.
VNK, one of the Netherlands' leading producers of dried herbs, has
installed a Lock metal detection system on its production lines in
a bid to upgrade its quality and testing programme.
Dutch nutrition company Numico is struggling to stay afloat at the
moment, but rumours in the Dutch press suggest French dairy giant
Danone could be interested in a bid. An odd choice for the French
company which has been streamlining...
Antex Biologics, through its AntexPharma subsidiary, has reported
that it is continuing to explore the potential effectiveness of its
anti-infective compounds in preventing bio terrorism attacks on the
food supply.
Dutch life science company DSM saw net profit for the fourth
quarter of 2001 rise to €1,031 million from €119 million in the
fourth quarter of 2000, largely due to the sale of the depositary
receipts. Profit on 4Q ordinary activities...
SIG Hamba Filltec, the Germany-based manufacturer of filling and
closing machines in open, partly or fully aseptic design, is
gearing up for a series of changes which will effect the day-to-day
running of its business.
Processing and plant equipment provider Buhler has recently
completed the construction of its first commercial-scale cargo
mill,specialising in the processing of basmati rice for the Swedish
company Qibbla Halal Kött.
Beer drinkers in Germany may soon have more opportunities to
purchase beer in PET than any other European country, thanks in
part to the recent introduction of a scheme to introduce hefty
recycling fees for the use of aluminium cans.
A recent report from Food Technology Intelligence takes a closer a
look at the important issue of the impact of migrating contaminants
and additives in processed foods.
A recent decision to cut the European Food Safety Authority's
budget by half is worrying many food industry experts. A food and
life sciences lawyer airs his concerns on the matter and throws
some light on the effects for the...
In the US, a new aerosol glue has been launched specifically aimed
at ensuring the stability of packaging for storage and
transportation of food and beverage products.
Packaging Automation, the UK's leading manufacturer of quality heat
sealing and lidding machines, has just completed an unusual
contract for a well known dairy.
EarthShell, manufacturers of environmentally-friendly food service
packaging, has announced that it has signed a Co-operative Research
and Development Agreement with the US Department of Agriculture's
Agricultural Research Service.
Interstate Bakeries, the largest wholesale baker in the US, has
said that weak sales, high product returns and escalating energy
costs would cut its expected profit.
The European Parliament yesterday voted with an overwhelming
majority for a permanent ban on the use of the food additive E425,
otherwise known as konjac, in jelly confectionery.
Valmet Converting will present its most recent developments in
Rotomec flexo printing presses and Titan slitting & rewinding
technology for converters of flexible packaging materials at Flexo
2003, 4-6 March, held in Birmingham,...
The merger of PepsiCo with compatriot Quaker Oats gave a major
boost to operating profits at the giant snack food and soft drinks
group in 2002 - and the recent reorganisation of the international
business should lead to further gains...
Following a less than satisfactory performance in 2001, and despite
unfavourable exchange rates last year, Sidel got back on the growth
track in 2002, posting a 5.2 per cent rise in sales to €981.1
million.
Both snack and bakery producers need to carefully monitor the issue
of acrylamide in food in light of conflicting health warnings about
the possible effects of this substance, according to an
international law firm.
Food manufacturers in the UK were criticised this week labels after
the findings of a new report from the National Consumer Council
suggested that current labelling was confusing and misleading.
Bread will always be a staple part of any diet, but a new report
from Datamonitor suggests that consumption in western Europe could
be reaching saturation point. However, markets such as Spain, still
have potential for further growth.
The newly launched SaniFoam 40 is a food processing plant cleaning
system that generates and applies a unique combination of high
density foam and sanitising chemicals.
Belgian brewer Interbrew has introduced a new innovative beer
packaging, Pivopack. The launch marks the first monolayer barrier
enhanced PET bottle worldwide and will be making its debut on the
Russian market.
KHS, the German packaging and filling equipment provider, is to
launch its fully automatic Innopal PBL gantry palletiser at the
Anuga FoodTec expo to be held in Cologne 8-11 April.
Roberts PolyPro, the US-based provider of packaging and converting
solutions, has launched a Beverage Carrier Assembly Machine (BCAM)
capable of forming open basket beverage carriers by combining
virgin Kraft board and post-consumer...
Foods with 'positive nutrition' elements such as added calcium or
fibre continue to grow in popularity, according to the latest data
from Mintel, but those with substances removed (sugar, fat) are
becoming less popular.
As Europe debates the anticipated changes to the Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Commission suggested its
commitment to organic farming with the announcement that it has
launched an Internet consultation about its future.
In response to increased demand for its EVAL resins, Kuraray Europe
is to expand the production capacity of its Belgium-based plant, a
move which is set to double its production output through the
construction of new facilities.
Voridian, a division of Eastman Chemical Company and the world's
largest supplier of PET for packaging, has made a number of
enhancements to the design and content of its company website.
A US-based natural food processor that manufactures tons of
rice-based ingredients and products each year has begun using a new
on-site power system to reduce its electric bill by an estimated 20
per cent and incorporate the power...
Although sweet, bitter and umami (monosodium glutamate) tastes are
different, researchers are finding that information about each of
these tastes is transmitted from the various taste receptors via a
common intracellular signalling...
In order to improve knowledge of the latest packaging innovations
amongprofessionals in the UK, the Institute of Packaging is hosting
a free seminar - The Annual Bob Pritty Seminar, Innovation in
Packaging.
The international Pack Expo, to be held in Las Vegas this October,
is 91 per cent sold and on pace to be a record-setting event -
according to its organisers.
UB has announced plans to close its biscuit production site at
Ashby de la Zouch in the English Midlands at the end of next year
as part of its ongoing plan of restructuring its now profitable UK
biscuit operation.
Vrumona, the Netherlands-based soft drinks arm of Heineken, has
specified Tyco flow control equipment for an extension to its main
production facility.
Researchers in the US have pointed to growing consumption of
'nutrition' bars and functional beverages as a risk to health -
claiming some products cause oral health and obesity problems.
In the US, Women in Packaging has launched an active programme to
assist governmentagencies, consumer goods and packaging industry
companies in establishingconcrete diversity policies.
Amcor has announced plans to commence production of shaped cans in
Australia for a range of beverage products starting in mid 2003,
following a technology licensing agreement with Crown Cork &
Seal Company.
Quick changeover capabilities, flexibility and fast speeds are the
top three machine attributes most often requested by companies
purchasing new packaging machinery, according to a recent survey of
Packaging Machinery Manufacturers...
