The British Coatings Federation (BCF) has urged the government to
help the packaging sector face up to the rising cost of plastics
and printing inks. Anthony Fletcher reports.
French company Vaslin Bucher has unveiled machinery to control
oxidation of grape must during the pressing process at
significantly reduced costs to current equipment.
Opportunities for suppliers and users of low-calorie bulk sweetener
erythritol open up as Canada clears approval for inclusion of this
natural sweetener in a range of food formulations from cream
fillings to chewing gum.
Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest brewer, has introduced
aluminium beer bottles for its Michelob, Michelob Light and
Anheuser World Select brands in certain bars and clubs across the
United States, writes Kim Hunter Gordon.
One of Sweden's biggest meat and cheese processing companies,
recently under pressure from increased competition, will soon be
supplying sandwiches as well as the fillings by establishing a new
business unit to exploit the growing...
The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Hendrix
Meat Group (HMG) by Sovion, a move that will create the largest
meat processor in the Netherlands and one of the largest in
Northern Europe.
The UK canning industry believes that retail giant Sainsbury, which
recently championed Tetra Recart packaging, would be wrong to
dismiss the potential of steel packaging on the basis of one market
survey.
The rising cost of aluminium, oil-derived chemicals and other raw
materials has lead to major soft drink packager Pepsi Bottling
(PBG) to issue a profit warning, illustrating the increasing impact
that peak metals and plastics prices...
Moscow-based confectionery firm Borodino plans to move production
facilities to Volgograd in January 2005 as a means of strengthening
its position in the market, writes Angela Drujinina.
A team of ex-aerospace engineers and geologists in the United
States claim to have developed a pioneering biodegradable packaging
for ovenable and freezable baked goods which is cheaper than
aluminium and most plastic alternatives,...
North Sea fishermen should play a greater part in taking care of
the marine environment, says a new scientific report into
sustainable fishing and environmental protection. Anthony
Fletcher reports.
Finnish packaging manufacturer Huhtamaki plans to carry out a
restructuring programme over the next two years in order to improve
efficiency and cost base, especially in its rigid packaging
operations.
Iggesund Paperboard has launched a number of paperboard packaging
products designed not only to protect products, but also to add
value and shelf appeal.
The investigation into a possible cartel in Australia's highly
concentrated corrugated box sector has widened, exposing the
problem of duopolies within the country's isolated economy.
UK supermarket Tesco has launched the country's first fully
automated recycling machine designed to encourage customers to
recycle more packaging waste.
Arcelor Packaging International (API) has launched Creasteel, a new
steel for food packaging that could revolutionise the sector by
opening up a whole new world of design possibilities.
Danish biotech company Poalis, in a ground-breaking move, says it
has developed a new vanilla flavour using yeast and sugar which
will be drastically cheaper than its chemical counterpart, and be
better for the environment, reports...
Royal DSM has acquired NeoResins, the coating resins business of
Avecia, for €515 million, underlining increasing industry and
consumer demand for environmentally-friendly coating technologies.
Scottish fisheries minister Ross Finnie has underlined the Scottish
Executive's opposition to the proposed closure of certain areas of
the North Sea to fishing.
Lightweight conveyor belt manufacturer Habasit has launched a
plastic modular belt that offers the largest high friction rubber
contact surface available in the industry.
Canadian food giant E.D. Smith & Sons claims to have made a 50
per cent reduction in day-to-day output processes by automating the
production and delivery of business documents across its supply
chain.
The UK is likely to miss its self-imposed target for reducing
carbon dioxide emissions, but the Confederation of British Industry
(CBI) has urged the government to acknowledge the contribution
business has made in addressing the problem...
Amcor has sacked its CEO after an investigation suggested some
employees were running a cartel, while Rexam chairman Rolf
Börjesson has been appointed to the board of Avery Dennison.
Fishing should be banned in almost a third of UK waters to preserve
stocks and protect the environment, according to a Royal Commission
report set to send shockwaves through the industry. Anthony
Fletcher reports.
A new machine designed to decorate bakery and confectionery
products with up to 150 different items has been launched by
Russia's Ekma-Konfi engineering group. The versatility, reliability
and cost effectiveness of the technology...
Swedish speciality fats and oils firm Karlshamns builds up supplies
of pumpable fats and liquid margarine as industry spikes demand for
convenience fats, reports Lindsey Partos.
Food processor Lakeside has adopted revolutionary self-heating
containers from OnTech for coffee, tea, cocoa and soup in a bid to
dominate the innovative on-the-go food market.
Amcor, the world's top manufacturer of plastic bottles, has ousted
its chief executive after former staff in Australia were suspected
of being involved in an illegal operation to drive up box prices.
Anthony Fletcher reports.
Alcoa Closure Systems International has begun commercial production
of Vino-Lok, its 'glass on glass' closure system for wine bottles
that it developed as an alternative to corks and synthetic
stoppers.
Foreign companies' profits in China may have increased rapidly in
the past four years, but they remain modest in comparison with
other countries with smaller markets and slower growth, according
to a surprising new report. Anthony...
Plastic packaging firm RPC has overcome sharp rises in
polypropylene and polystyrene prices to report a 9 per cent rise in
interim pre-tax profit to £12.4 million.
This week's round-up of people on the move includes Kraft's new
board member, Alcoa's new vice president and a rumour that Unilever
is considering changing its top management.
Looking to new market gains in the UK, US and Australia German
ingredients group Degussa has revamped its line of bakery cream
systems to target food makers with a competitive package, writes
Lindsey Partos.
US-based processor MGP Ingredients has initiated two
energy-efficiency projects as part of its overall programme to
achieve significant cost savings across its operations.
A premium biscuit manufacturer in Italy has ordered a new
customised oven system from baking equipment specialists Spooner
Vicars to help it progress in an increasingly competitive market,
writes Chris Mercer.
A new report shows that with Polish consumption trends beginning to
fall into line with the rest of Europe's, the packaging sector
represents a key opportunity for innovation and investment,
writes Anthony Fletcher.
Krones the world's biggest manufacturer of beverage bottling lines
and packaging machinery, has signed a pact designed to secure and
upgrade the future of its facilities in Germany.
Patak's, the leading player in the £67.3 million UK Indian sauce
market, has packaged its quick-cook Spice Express sauces in a new
350g Rockware jar with super-deep twist cap.
A new report analysing IT budget and spending trends suggests that
many firms separate, to their detriment, IT investment from
investments in production capabilities.
Food manufacturer Campbell Soup has installed global product
lifecycle management (PLM) software to achieve cost savings in an
operation that generates annual revenues of $5 billion.
The first ever EU conference on control with remote sensing (CwRS)
of area-based subsidies held in a new member state takes place in
Budapest, Hungary today.
A new, technologically advanced heat-sealable metallised OPP film,
designed to replace the foil and sealant in traditional
paper-polyethylene-foil-polyethylene (PPFP) structures, has been
developed.
As the US celebrates Thanksgiving, a new study reveals that almost
half the food in the country goes to waste - a statistic that
should alarm an industry that is struggling to achieve greater
efficiency in order to salvage profits.
A new line of Pentafood vinyl films offering what is claimed to be
exceptional cold crack properties for food packaging applications
has been launched by Klöckner Pentaplast.
