Event News

International buyers and leading decision makers will be flocking to Packaging Innovations London 2015 to see the most innovative and original suppliers within the packaging industry. The exclusive two day ev...

Speciality & Fine Food Fair will be putting food wastage to valuable use - feeding people in crisis. The Fair has teamed up with The Trussell Trust, who will be running a food collection service during the three days of the Fair, so that foodbanks close to Olympia Grand will benefit from any leftover goodies.

The Trussell Trust runs the UK’s largest network of foodbanks, providing nutritionally-balanced emergency food and support to people in need. The Trussell Trust foodbanks supported over 900,000 people with emergency food parcels in 2013/14, of which over 300,000 were children.

Helen Franks, Corporate Partnership Manager at The Trussell Trust, says, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with the SFFF and receive speciality food from this event. This food will be given to people in a crisis who will value the addition of high quality food in their emergency food parcel. It will provide a real boost when people feel low - so thank you."

Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director, says, "Food wastage is one of the most alarming issues that our country is faced with. Every year, millions of tons of food is chucked out with the rubbish. Farming and food production is a process of intense time, energy and passion and to see the end product wasted just makes no sense - particularly when there are so many people living below the poverty line in the UK. This simple act of recycling at the Fair will hopefully benefit the lives of hundreds of people - something that the speciality food sector should take great pride in."

The Speciality & Fine Food Fair takes place on 7th to 9th September at Olympia Grand, London and for more information, visit www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk.

Hosting the world’s most innovative packaging suppliers, Packaging Innovations London, the exclusive event for branded and inspirational packaging, co-located with Luxury Packaging 2014, returns to the Business Design Centre, London on 30th September and 1st October.

Over 160 companies have already signed up to exhibit, including first time exhibitor Airpack Systems who is set to wow the beer and wine industry with its new innovative 100% recyclable inflatable packaging. Croxons will be launching its extension to their ultra-premium range of spirit bottles at the show, and will be joined by a mix of food and beverage exhibitors including Firstan, J&J Pont Packaging, The Sherwood Press Group, Aegg and Royston Labels.

Showcasing its latest packaging creations will be international exhibitor Dapy Paris whose extensive packaging ranges have been used by many of the world’s most prestigious brands, such as Belvedere Vodka, Moet & Chandon, Johnnie Walker, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, G.H Mumm and Verve Clicquot. If you are looking to revamp your packaging MMR Research will be demonstrating its Impackt Lite, providing companies with a limited but scientifically robust, quantitative and accurate method for assessing the likely success of new or revised packs.

Innovia Films will be exhibiting its new compostable NatureFlex 55 HK1, a hermetically sealing film providing an effective barrier against mineral oil residues. Keeping it innovative, PEFC and SFI are collaborating at the show in order to promote responsible fibre sourcing from certified forests.

For all those chocoholics, James Cropper will be displaying its award winning bio recycling solution - cocoa paper. An innovation that could save the skins of many of the 3.5 million tonnes of cocoa beans produced each year, by turning them into wrapping. Reproflex3 will be showcasing its latest product, Packlinc, an app scanning digital gateway for packaging. It allows a user to scan hidden codes within graphics and be linked directly to the desired URL.

Keeping your finger on the pulse within the fast moving and highly competitive beauty industry is imperative. First time exhibitor, Richmond Containers will be launching its premium beauty packaging collection, including premium jars, bottles and dispensers with new foaming and airless shapes. Vetroplas Packaging will be displaying its new foam dispenser allowing consumers to quickly dispense a constant, high-quality stream of foam through a flip-top cap, when squeezing the bottle upside down with just one hand.

Toly will be showcasing its Infinity, Slice, Tubairless, Divine, Airless Jar and C’est Moi ranges, while Quadpack UK will be displaying its Q-Line range including its Ellipse tottle with premium finish and the Flash Pen Coloris stick for eye and lip colour. Also joining the beauty brigade will be Quadpack UK, Charpak, Benson Group, Clarke Rubicon and Continental Bottle Company.

The Luxury Packaging Conference will debut at Luxury Packaging 2014 co-located with Packaging Innovations London, boasting senior representatives from Karl Lagerfeld, Diageo, Elizabeth Arden, Harrods, Procter & Gamble (Prestige Brands) and Hotel Chocolat. They will be exploring the vital role packaging has to play in positioning and promoting luxury and prestige brands. Packaging Innovations will also host an array of show features including inspirational learnShops seminars, The Beauty Symposium, Lions’ Lair and show favourite, The BIG Packaging Debate, where panellists debate a controversial hot topic.

For further information visit www.easyFairs.com/PI-LONDON.

Acorn Brewery’s Barnsley Bitter has scooped a silver medal at the real ale industry’s most prestigious national competition.

Expert beer drinkers from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have awarded the iconic Barnsley brew second prize at the Great British Beer Festival this week. Acorn Brewery’s best-selling pint beat off competition from hundreds of other ales produced by breweries across the UK, and trumped last year’s overall gold medal winner.

Acorn’s Barnsley Gold real ale and its bottled Gorlovka stout also made it through the finals of CAMRA’s national championships. Owner of Acorn Brewery Dave Hughes comments: “We are thrilled to bring back a silver medal for Barnsley Bitter from this year’s Great British Beer Festival.

“We’ve brewed Barnsley Bitter for 12 years now and its consistent high quality has been recognised year on year by a string of regional and national awards including a previous silver medal from CAMRA in 2006.

“But the competition is getting tougher as this thriving industry grows and we’re very proud that our Barnsley Bitter is still up there with the best nationally and continuing to win gongs today. It is fantastic to get this national recognition from CAMRA – they are the beer drinking experts and know a fine real ale when they taste one.”

Barnsley Bitter has made it to the CAMRA national finals eight times previously. The beer also won a silver award from the UK’s Society of Independent Brewers in March this year.

The Great British Beer Festival is the UK's biggest beer festival where visitors get the chance to sample more than 900 real ales, ciders, perries and international beers produced by more than 350 breweries. The trade days offer brewers the chance to network with licensees, pub owners, retailers and beer writers within the close-knit and growing micro-brewing industry.

Barnsley Bitter is Acorn Brewery’s best-selling brand and is produced using the original strain of Barnsley Bitter yeast, dating back to the mid-19th century. The chestnut-coloured real ale combines Maris Otter malt and English hops and boasts a well-rounded, rich flavour and lasting bitter finish. It has a 3.8 per cent ABV.