< Previous30 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netBEVERAGESOne of the most profound changes over the last decade in the beverage space is the rise of alternative milks made from plant-based sources such as oat, almond, hemp, coconut, and soy, the latter which had largely been the industry standard even as recently as 2008. In the UK, sales of plant-based milks have grown by thirty per cent since 2015, according to Mintel figures, while Nielson data confirmed in the United States, plant-based milk now accounts for thirteen per cent of total milk sales. More proof, if it were needed, that these alterative milks are having a moment, is that many of the world’s biggest beverage makers have either released their own variants or acquired smaller players to diversify their portfolios. Dean Foods, the biggest dairy company in the US, last year revealed plans to shift focus to its plant-based brands, while Danone plans to triple the size of its plant-based business by 2025. Young brands and start-ups, meanwhile, are raising impressive amounts in financing rounds, many attracting the backing of major brands and investors. In March, Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO and the world’s richest man, contributed to a $30 million investment in Chilean-based The Not Company which produces a variety of plant-based products including milk. The meteoric rise of this young category has not gone unnoticed by regulators and controversy over the labelling of these plant-based dairy alternatives has become a controversial topic across the Atlantic. Although EU law prevents dairy alternatives from using the word “milk” because they aren’t produced by a lactating mammal, the United States has no such restrictions in place. But that might be about to change after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year launched an inquiry into the labelling of plant-based dairy alternatives. As defined by the FDA, milk is “the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows”. And as then FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb put it at the time, “an almond doesn’t lactate”. The inquiry, which was extended to the end of January 2019, was launched because, according to Gottlieb, “consumers should be able to know at a quick glance what type of product they’re purchasing”. It’s not without good cause, with surveys finding that Development in beverages The beverage industry is at a cross roads, a period of innovation and transformation as the wants and needs of consumers evolves and regulators crack down on ingredient lists and labelling. 30-34.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 14:32 Page 1Food & Drink International 31www.fdiforum.netBEVERAGESlabelling confusion is an issue among consumers. The Plant Based Foods Association, however, said the inquiry was a “solution in search of a problem”. In its riposte, the Association said that proposed changes to labelling law could have significant financial repercussions for manufacturers. Its research claimed that it would cost up to $1 million for companies to change their labelling to comply with rule changes. This, it said, could put many small-medium sized companies out of business. Although there hasn’t yet been changes made to labelling legislation in the US, many companies, both new and established, are moving towards more neutral dairy-like terms or playing up their non-milkness as a selling point. The labelling issue is part of the wider shift taking place in the dairy industry, with the consumption of fluid milk in the US having steadily declined since the seventies while non-dairy milk sales have grown over sixty per cent in the last five years, Mintel data reveals. This shift towards products which are perceived to be healthier and better-for-you isn’t limited to the dairy industry alone, but Non-toxic fluid solutions for food & beverage processing Cooling, chilling and cold stabilisation are widely used in the food and beverage industry sector. Chilling is used for preservation of a lot of perishable foods. In the wine sector, cooling and chilling are applied to clarify the must before fermentation. Since 1998, Hydratech have specialised in the manufacture of heat transfer fluids, glycols, antifreeze solutions, inhibitors and cleansers - for use in cooling and heating systems in food and beverage systems. Hydratech’s Coolflow DTX, formulated with the DeTox additive enables food processing companies, breweries and other similar processors to benefit from the properties of Ethylene Glycol without risk. There are also significant economic rewards from using Coolflow DTX as it costs less per litre and offers greater freeze protection for less volume. So, the next time you are looking for an innovative cooling solution, be sure to talk with the experts. For more information, visit www.hydratech.co.uk. 32 Á© Shutterstock / Antonina VlasovaHpE Process expands its CIP solutions HpE Process understand hygiene is a crucial part of food processing. Incorrect cleaning can lead to loss of production, poor product quality, or product contamination leading to product recall. It is important to make Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) simple, easy and suitable for any business size. With that in mind, HpE is able to offer manual and automatic CIP Skid Systems. A typical system will include an installation tank, CIP send tank, CIP return pump, Dosing Pump, Heating coil, Butterfly valves (Manual or Automatic) and a control panel. For more information, visit www.hpeprocess.com.30-34.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 14:32 Page 232 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netBEVERAGESHERMA – more than 110 years' experience of manufacturing labeller and labelling machines HERMA is a world leading manufacturer of self-adhesive label application systems. HERMA designs and builds high specification, high quality labelling equipment and has a range of standard and special purpose machinery. Labelling SystemsHERMA Labelling Systems, The Hollands Centre, Hollands Road, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 8PR Tel. 01440 763366 Email. sales@herma.co.uk Web: www.herma-labellingmachines.co.uk taking place right across the beverage category, spurring a flurry of new product development and innovation, especially where packaging is concerned. For example, on-the-go lifestyles have driven the market for ready-to-drink beverages, a category which resonate especially with millennials and generation Z. Although the bag-in-box wine category has been looked down on, it has really come into its own over the last couple of years for consumers who are drinking less alcohol or want a more affordable option when entertaining, making the space ripe for innovation. Smaller bottle sizes in the soft drinks category, meanwhile, are being increasingly marketed to consumers with more active lifestyle, giving affordable and easy to handle on-the-go options. It’s often as much about the pouch or can itself as what’s kept inside, with sustainability in packaging becoming of increased importance, particularly where bottled water and take-away coffee cups are concerned. But it’s an issue prevalent right across the beverage industry with brewers doing away with the plastic six pack rings, while smaller, even flatter wine bottles, are helping to reduce carbon emissions and costs in the supply chain. Combined, these sustainability issues, the trend towards healthier beverages and pressure from 34 Á© Shutterstock / Mark AgnorDrinks company Eager to work with Beatson Clark Beatson Clark has produced a unique glass bottle for Eager Drinks’ new mixer range – Cold Brew Tonics. Eager approached Beatson Clark last year to help them package their first glass bottle drinks range. Beatson Clark designed and produced a unique 200ml white flint glass bottle which is heavier than a standard bottle to give a high-quality, premium feel. “We wanted a bottle which used recycled glass in some way and wanted it to look contemporary and modern yet traditional to the touch,” said Ed Rigg, founder of Eager Drinks. “Beaton Clark’s approach matched our vision. In terms of flexibility, service and quality, they win every time.” The bottle is embossed around the shoulder with the words ’EAGER’ and around the base with the words ‘PRODUCED IN SMALL BATCHES’. The range was launched last month and is already on sale in bars, hotels and restaurants across the country. For more information, visit www.beatsonclark.co.uk. 30-34.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 14:32 Page 330-34.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 14:32 Page 4BEVERAGES34 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netBringing you the Tastes of the World... Naturally• Flavours and Bases• Natural Colours• Fruit Pieces & Powders• Veg Pieces & Powders• Nuts and Nut Products• Fruit Juices, Purées & Concentrates• Veg Juices, Purées & Concentrates• Dairy, Meat & Fish Powders• Inclusions for Bakery, Ice Cream• Organic IngredientsFor more information contact: www.kanegrade.com Tel: +44 (0) 1438 742242 Fax: +44 (0) 1438 742311 Email: info@kanegrade.com Global Ingredients Supplierregulators – such as the UK’s soft drinks levy introduced in 2018 – is driving innovation, new product development and more diversified portfolios. The Coco-Cola Company, for example, recently launched its first-ever energy drink, one which is positioned as derived from natural sources, containing no taurine, with a no-sugar, no-calorie option, laying down the gauntlet for many of its rivals. From a consumer’s point of view, it’s a simple matter to find a healthier beverage on the shelf and buy it, but it’s a lot more complicated for manufacturers. There’s new product development to consider and the reformulation of existing recipes, all which affects processing. The quandary is that consumers are demanding healthier beverages, ones which avoid chemical additives and preservatives, but which don’t compromise safety. Needless to say, this is a difficult proposition for food makers. One option, currently in development by scientists at the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is Ultra-Shear Technology. They claim this new method will allow companies to manufacture healthier beverages by reducing thermal exposure through the combined application of elevated pressure, shear and controlled times and temperatures. It’s far from the only innovative solution in the works, with functional ingredients (more of which can be found in our functional ingredients feature on page 26). Of course, beverage makers must respond to the changing demands of consumers and ensure they’re compliant with the latest legislation and regulatory rulings. But often this comes with significant expense, whether that’s in reformation, new product development or purchasing appropriate processing equipment. © Shutterstock / photocriticaldata valuing the beverage processing equipment market at $18.2 billion in 2019 and forecasting it to reach $24.3 billion by 2025. From a product development point of view, companies are increasingly exploring and utilising natural food colours and flavouring in their beverage products, whilst also embracing on trend ingredients such as nutraceuticals and, more recently, cannabidiol, demonstrating the growing thirst for 30-34.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 14:32 Page 5© Shutterstock / nitoFood & Drink International 35www.fdiforum.netCAPS AND CLOSURESThe continuing thirst for convenience has precipitated a huge spike in sales of bottled beverage products and on-the-go solutions such as pouches. Sales of soda and other similarly sweetened beverages are on the decline, with better health awareness and government initiatives having a dramatic impact. In 2017, sales of bottled water outpaced soda for the first time in US history. By the end of 2024, the US bottled water market is expected to reach $22.226 billion. Of course, with this huge upsurge in the sale of bottled beverages comes the need for ever more innovative and functional caps and closures. The bottled water industry has long been the driving force for innovation in the caps and closures segment. The sports cap is inseparable from the image of a water bottle and is a design that is continually being built upon and improved. The shape of sports caps and other closures can pose a struggle to some, especially older consumers. As a rapidly expanding market segment, it’s increasingly important that manufacturers target this ageing demographic. For caps and closures this means utilising a more ergonomic design, such as ease of opening and more comfortable grips. Coupled with this growing demand are rising concerns regarding product quality and, crucially, safety. The conversation surrounding bottled water and other beverages has been dominated over the last few years by the presence of Bisphenol A (or BPA, for short), which is used in the production of some plastic resins. The controversy stems from findings that the presence of BPA can disrupt hormones in children and be passed from pregnant mother to unborn child. Sealed up tight 36 ÁEnvironmental pressures and the growing preference for on-the-go solutions are driving differentiation and innovation in the caps and closures space. 35-37.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 10:15 Page 136 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netCAPS AND CLOSURESNow more than ever, consumers are questioning the food and beverage products they buy, and that includes the packaging. Manufacturers are now turning to other options and using BPA-free as a selling point. Yet the other bug-bear faced by bottle caps is the issue of recyclability. The recyclability of plastic bottle tops has been a contentious topic for years. There was no clear answer on whether bottle caps should be left on or off to be recycled, or if indeed they could even be recycled in the first place as some are comprised of both metal and pastic. The rules from place to place can differ wildly too, with local councils and governments having a different set of rules depending on where you are. The main issue here is that bottle caps are typically made from polypropylene, which has different properties and recyclability than that of the polyethylene terephthalate (or PET) of the bottles themselves. Along with their diminutive size, the different plastics make sorting bottle tops a difficult task. The long and short of it is that, yes, bottle caps can be recycled and remade. But there isn’t a clear, concise and singular approach. Efforts are being made to remedy this as the need to recycle more materials becomes more and more important. No doubt bio-plastics and other such innovative options will come to the fray in order to make bottle caps a more sustainable option. For the foreseeable future, though, plastic remains the material of choice for caps and closures and it’s easy to see why. Plastic closures are much more convenient because, unlike metal ones, they do not usually require the use of a secondary implement such as a bottle- or tin-opener to operate. This means, of course, that they are easier to use on the move. Moreover, many can be repeatedly re-sealed. But the big advantage for manufacturers is that widely-used plastics and polymers such as polypropylene and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are more malleable than metals and can therefore be put a greater variety of purposes. They are also more lightweight and easier to recycle, so manufacturers can pitch to the green market as well. The future of the caps and closures market will be driven by demand and sustainability. Where these twin concerns meet in the middle will result in the next-generation of innovative, attractive and functional closures which will boost shelf appeal and the overall environmental impact of a manufacturer. © Shutterstock / Fahroni35-37.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 10:15 Page 2Food & Drink International 37www.fdiforum.netCAPS AND CLOSURESMecmesin’s quality control testing for caps & closures Mecmesin have the knowledge and skills to deliver test systems and instruments to meet your caps and closure requirements. Mecmesin’s product range is designed for implementation in both the design process and production floor environment. Catering for a range of customers from industries such as food & beverage, medical & pharmaceutical, through to cosmetics & personal care; Mecmesin’s team of sales engineers are on hand to ensure that the solutions it offers comply with your specific industry test standards. By implementing Mecmesin’s quality control test systems you can save money, and also enhance your brand reputation by ensuring: • Consistency of material performance • Products are fit for purpose • Defects are identified, minimising rejects and improving production throughout • Compliance with industry standards For more information, visit www.mecmesin.com, email info@mecmesin.com, or call +44(0) 1403 799979.Riggs Autopack help Honeycomb Co’s honey go further Honeycomb Company, an independent 4th generation family-run business established in 1947, produce English and Heather honey from their own hives. As the business has grown, to keep up with demand Honeycomb Co needed to purchase new high-quality filling and capping equipment to replace their existing machinery that had been in-situ for many years. The company’s owner, Mr Paul Humphreys, contacted Lancashire filling machine manufacturer Riggs Autopack to assist with their requirements. They initially purchased an Emerito automatic capping machine through Riggs Autopack which is designed for metal twist-off caps. Riggs Autopack is the UK agent supplying the 1.8 and 2.8 Emerito Automatic Capping Machine to food producers in the UK and Republic of Ireland. These in-line capping machines automatically cap glass or PET jars, pots, tubs and bottles, with metal twist-off lids. It can be supplied as a single unit and easily incorporated into existing production systems or supplied as part of a Riggs Autopack automatic filling and capping line. Following this purchase, they then turned their attention to purchasing a new automatic filling line. Following on-site surveys and extensive product trials conducted by Riggs Autopack’s technical sales team, Honeycomb Co placed an order for a twin head high-level filling machine and 4 metre slat running conveyor. This new filling and capping machinery have now enabled Honeycomb Co to pack off their honey and preserve products much faster, therefore making production far more effective and efficient. Consequently, this means the company has now been able to tender for more contracts and grow their business. For more information, visit www.riggsautopack.co.uk, email info@riggsautopack.co.uk, or call +44(0) 1282 440040. 35-37.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 10:15 Page 338 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netSEE US AT BEVEXPO STAND 6738-40.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 10:17 Page 1Food & Drink International 39www.fdiforum.netBEVEXPOProgases UK Progases UK Ltd is a UK supplier of industrial food grade and medical cylinders. The newly created PROBULK division offers BULK #CO2 with guaranteed un-disrupted supply with nationwide coverage, no hidden extras or surcharge/Environmental charges. The company is an active member of BFBI & SIBA, and soon to be members of the BCGA (2019). Get in touch with the team to find out what solutions the company can offer your business. Tel: +44(0) 151 922 1118 Web: www.progasesuk.com Email: jon@progasesuk.com Stand: 10 This super-sized trade show brings together all sectors of the beverage industry for a two-day event ideal for networking, business and learning. Following a successful show last year, the event returns to the Ricoh Arena in the heart of the UK, within easy reach by car and public transport. BevExpo 2019, which incorporates Cellar to Seller and BrewEx, is a forum for improving trade connections; discovering what’s new and innovative, and providing attendees with the tools they need to grow knowledge. The vision is to celebrate all sectors within the beverage supply chain, including cider, dairy, soft drinks, pub operators, spirits, wine and beer. Drinks manufacturers can attend the show free-of-charge, while passes for supplies to drinks manufacturers price at £50 + VAT which grants access to all 40 ÁTaking place from 25 to 26 June at Ricoh Arena in Coventry, BevExpo is a platform for the beverage industry to meet, learn and discover the excellence of products and services within the entire supply chain. Join the conversation on social media @BevExpo for Twitter and @bevexpo1 for Facebook BevExpo 2019 38-40.qxp_Layout 1 29/04/2019 10:17 Page 2Next >