< Previouson line 10 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net Sonoco acquires sustainable paper can solutions producer Sonoco has acquired Can Packaging, a privately owned France-based designer and manufacturer of sustainable paper packaging and related manufacturing equipment, for Can Packaging operates two paper can manufacturing facilities in France along with a research and development centre where it designs and builds patented packaging machines and sealing equipment. The company, which is projected to produce sales of approximately € 23 million or $27 million in 2020, provides sustainable paperboard packaging to a number of large consumer food brands distributed across Europe. “This strategic acquisition provides us many new innovations, including patented technology to produce a recyclable, high performance all-paper package, that can be made round, square, rectangular, oval, oblong or triangular,” said Howard Coker, President and CEO of Sonoco. “These innovations will complement our global Rigid Paperboard Container franchise and add to our EnviroSense sustainable packaging portfolio.” CCEP launches innovative paperboard solution for multipack cans Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has introduced CanCollar an innovative paperboard packaging solution, for multipack cans in Spain. The move supports the bottler’s work, in partnership with Coca-Cola, to remove all unnecessary or hard to recycle plastic from its portfolio, avoiding the use of more than 11,000 tonnes of virgin plastic a year across Western Europe. Through collaboration with WestRock, a global company that provides its customers with sustainable differentiated packaging solutions, CCEP will start to use the CanCollar paperboard can ring technology in the Balearic Islands, replacing the current Hi-cone solution and saving more than 18 tonnes of plastic annually. Coca-Cola European Partners has invested 2.6 million euros in its Barcelona plant to support this initiative. The installation of WestRock’s CanCollar Fortuna manufacturing equipment will enable multipack cans to be grouped in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, with a process that does not require the use of glue or adhesives. Shaken, not stirred - alcohol producers clear industry regulatory hurdles An audit of the alcohol market has found high levels of compliance to industry standards. While some claim that alcohol producers do not provide the right information on bottles, in reality this isn’t the case. Independent auditors and the Independent Complaints Panel’s decisions show 95% adherence to regulatory standards. The Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, has independently audited the alcohol market to assess the industry’s compliance with the latest edition of the Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks. Speaking about the audit, John Timothy, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, commented: “The industry has demonstrated that it is committed to the rules and guidelines set out by the Portman Group Code. It is testament to the support to industry regulation from the sector that 95% of products on sale are compliant. This is a sector that by-and-large takes its responsibilities seriously.” Finsbury’s foodservice arm boosts doughball production capacity Finsbury Food Group’s foodservice arm has invested more than £1 million in a new doughball production plant at its Manchester site. The new plant is expected to increase the site’s capacity by 30%. The investment was also used to increase freezer capacity. As well as bolstering capacity, the Group said that the changes will reduce downtime and product wastage. “With much of Kara’s customer base closing during the lockdown, the past few months have been a challenging period both for Kara and the Finsbury Food Group,” said Jon Cooper, Business Unit Director at Finsbury Food Group. “This new installation protects and significantly increases our manufacturing capacity and importantly brings about less manual handling. We have already seen improved product quality and consistency.” He added: “This investment has come at an important time. Doughballs have been identified as an increasingly important range within our product portfolio.” © Shutterstock/sirtravelalot Bem Brasil teams up with Key Technology on new world-class potato processing line Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, announces they are teaming up with Bem Brasil, the largest potato processor in Brazil, to add a new state-of-the-art potato strip processing line to Bem’s Perdizes facility. This multimillion dollar purchase includes six VERYX® digital sorters, an ADR EXOS® automatic defect removal system, three Sliver Sizer Removers and 57 Iso-Flo® vibratory conveyors on a line designed to process 30 metric tons of frozen french fries per hour. Bem chose to partner with Key to maximize food safety and consistently meet final product quality specifications while improving operating efficiencies and increasing yield. “We selected Key for two primary reasons – their leadership in our industry and our trust in the company and their solutions,” said Walter Takano, Foreign Trade Manager at Bem Brasil. “Our confidence is based, in part, on years of experience with their Iso-Flo shakers on our other lines. Overall, Key’s expertise and the reliability of their technology impressed us.” © Can Packaging © Shutterstock/5PH 04-11.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:30 Page 7Nestlé enters plant-based seafood alternative market Nestlé has launched a plant-based alternative to tuna, its first move into the growing market for plant-based The plant-based tuna alternative can be used in dishes such as salads, sandwiches and pizzas. It has the flaky texture and rich flavour that makes tuna a favourite in many meals. Made from a combination of only six plant-based ingredients, it is rich in nutritious pea protein, one of the most environmentally friendly sources of plant-based protein. It contains all the essential amino acids and is free of artificial colourings or preservatives. Stefan Palzer, Nestlé Chief Technology Officer, said: “Sustainably produced plant-based seafood alternatives can help to reduce overfishing and to protect the biodiversity of our oceans. Our plant-based tuna alternative is delicious, nutritious and high in protein, while also being mercury-free. We are excited to launch this great product, and other plant- based fish and shellfish alternatives are already under development.” Alpro adds new oat-based yoghurt to Big Pot range Alpro has added an oat- based yoghurt alternative to its Big Pot range in the UK. The plant-based brand said that its new Absolutely Oat yoghurt is naturally low in fat and sugars and provides a source of fibre and natural cultures. “Oat drinks are now a firm favourite amongst consumers, with oat on track to become the number one ingredient in plant-based drinks by the end of 2020,” said David Jiscoot, Marketing Director for Alpro UK & Ireland. “Naturally, this means that there’s a huge opportunity to mirror this success in the yogurt aisle and, as the clear and consistent category leader, Alpro is uniquely placed to make this happen. “As well as being rich in fibre, Alpro Absolutely Oat is made from 100% European oats, so we are confident it will appeal to people looking for new ways to enjoy healthy, sustainable oat-based products in their diets. It’s the ideal choice for a delicious, nutritious breakfast – or to enjoy as a snack in the afternoon.” on the shelf Sparkl Hard Seltzer rolls out nationally in retail Hard Seltzer – a category that has enjoyed colossal success in the US in the last couple of years, has started to hit our shores and a start-up UK brand is one of the first wave of new entrants to the market. Sparkl Hard Seltzer has been launched in Morrisons nationwide already and further expansion is on the horizon. The naturally flavoured alcoholic sparkling water boasts a clean, crisp taste and is 4.0% vol. Dubbed by its makers as ‘water with attitude’ it comes in two fresh flavours – Peach & Rose, and Lemon, Ginger & Chilli – with more flavours due to be released later this year. With a mere 80 calories per 330ml bottle, the product perfectly positions itself to appeal to the growing bracket of health conscious drinkers. Amaretto Adriatico to launch in the UK exclusively through Sip and Savour Puglia’s handcrafted Amaretto Adriatico liqueurs are coming to the UK exclusively through strategic drinks distribution agency, Sip and Savour. Amaretto Adriatico seek to disrupt the premium drinks market with two varieties of exceptional quality Amaretto perfect for ‘aperitivos’ and cocktails – Amaretto Adriatico Bianco Liqueur and Adriatico Amaretto Roasted Liqueur. Made by hand in small batches in Italy using the finest organic almonds, Amaretto Adriatico has already picked up industry- leading awards for outstanding quality and innovation. The new products will be launched and distributed through Sip and Savour’s trusted network, which includes some of the UK’s best bars, restaurants and off-trade channels. Jean-Robert Bellanger, co-founder of Adriatico, says: “We have found a partner with a depth of experience and a singular portfolio of products that reflect our values. Working with Sip and Savour was an easy choice; they are dynamic and passionate like us and love our brand.” Food & Drink International 11 www.fdiforum.net HEINEKEN UK rolls out innovative, sustainable packaging across thousands of UK retailers This summer, despite major operational obstructions caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, HEINEKEN UK rolls out its innovative 100% plastic-free cardboard topper across thousands of UK retailers. The topper will feature on Heineken®, Foster’s and Kronenbourg 1664 multi-pack cans before rolling out across its entire beer and cider portfolio. The company’s commitment to innovate sustainably during this unprecedented time has kept the business on track to eliminating this type of plastic from supermarket shelves by the end of 2021. The combination of the new topper, dubbed Green Grip, and the removal of shrink wrapping on consumer packs will eliminate over 517 tonnes of plastic annually – the equivalent of 94 million plastic bags. Michael Gillane, Marketing Director, HEINEKEN UK, said: “This is a game changer – for so long, the plastic pack rings on cans of beer and cider have been rightly scrutinised. We have been working on a solution for several years – one that is durable, totally recyclable, and completely plastic free.” 04-11.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:30 Page 812 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT G enerally, the Middle East is identified as an import dependent location, but countries like Turkey, which acts as a bridge between Asia and Europe, are standing out this year for making new deals and bucking food export trends. Of course, the Middle East is an expensive area, and thus this article will focus on the main developments and nations prominent in the news. Recent statistics hitting headlines have shown how Turkey’s agricultural exports increased by 3.9 per cent in the first seven months of 2020, overcoming supply chain disruption in the wake of COVID-19. The Anadolu Agency (AA) report citing data from the Turkey Exporters Assembly, released in August, indicated that the country’s agricultural exports stood at $13.23 billion in the period. This contrasted declines in industrial and mining exports. The hazelnut sector, which Turkey dominates the production of followed by Italy and Azerbaijan, saw a large upswing in foreign sales on a proportional basis with exports up by 27.9 per cent in comparison to the equivalent period in 2019, reaching $1.13 billion. Fresh fruit and vegetable exports saw a 24.4 per cent increase, and vegetable products witnessed a 5.7 per cent boost. Tea has also been highlighted by data from the Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association for its export growth in 2020, with exports increasing 43 per cent in the first seven months of the year, with Belgium and Germany being the top exporting countries. Meanwhile multiple reports have illustrated the stand-out position of cherries in particular, for which Turkey is on track to hit a new export record and Movement in the Middle East Holding countries with vastly different levels of recognition in exporting and importing, Food and Drink International dives into the key news coming out of the Middle East. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:33 Page 1Food & Drink International 13 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT is the leading producer in the world. According to the Aegean Exporters Union, between January and July cherries were exported to 60 countries. Worth $212 million, this passed the country’s $200 million aim for the end of the season. Though Germany, Russia and Austria are the top export markets for cherries, China and Hong Kong were new key markets with a 50 per cent increase in exports in 2020, following Turkey’s general push to grow exports to East Asia. Turkish cherries also made it on to South Korean shelves this year after the market was opened in 2019 under challenging phytosanitary protocols. Wobbles with China have arisen recently however, with customs suspending imports of Turkish cherries after pests were detected. The news is a blow when cherry exports from Turkey to China had surged due to changes to the phytosanitary protocol which cut out the need for 16-day cold treatment ahead of shipments, easing export restrictions. Fortunately, the pause comes near the end of the season. In further trouble, cherries have also, according to Produce Report, witnessed falling prices in China. While in late June Turkish cherries were priced at 300–500 Chinese yuan per five kilograms, in mid-July, prices had dropped to 100–200 yuan per five kilograms, sinking below prices for competing US cherries, with the US the world’s second largest cherry producer. Produce Report noted limitations in planting tech and post-harvest practices as well as a rainy season negatively affected quality, shelf life and taste. Other East Asian countries are set to boost exports for Turkey though, with 14 Á © Shutterstock /Maher Iskandar 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:33 Page 214 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT 2020 seeing Thailand decide to import apples from the country. Looking elsewhere in the Middle East, positive steps are being made in Egypt, which has gained a stronger presence in fruit and vegetable exporting over the last few years. The Egyptian press have also noted Cabinet’s plans to boost agricultural exports in 2020 and 2021 by targeting Southeast Asia, Canada, African and Latin American Countries and in doing so is encouraging cultivation of horticulture crops. In April talks with Brazil concluded with Egypt being able to export citruses to the South American country for the first time, while in July Egypt cleared imports of chicken products from Brazil as its population looks to alternatives to costly beef protein. In the first four months of 2020, the Egyptian agricultural exports sector entered three other markets: sending dates to Australia, oranges to New Zealand, and potatoes to Mauritius. Continuing to grow exports by seeking out new markets, the country has also exported oranges to Uzbekistan for the first time and is holding on to its relatively new title as the world’s largest orange exporter. On the other side of the coin, as a country primarily recognised for its role as an importer, importing around two-thirds of its food according to the Financial Times, Saudi Arabia this year, after 10 years of renegotiation, reopened to receive beef and meat from Paraguay. In addition a memorandum of understanding has been signed with Australia to grow live red meat exports, with Saudi Arabia one of the largest live animal markets in the world. Further news out of the country has seen an agreement to lease land in Yanbu Commercial port, on the Red Sea coast, to develop Saudi Arabia’s first grain terminal, which will import, process and export grains. However, Saudi Arabia has been the focus of less positive sentiment with its stringency, which saw for instance 3,000 sheep die of hunger and thirst © Shutterstock /KAMONRAT 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:33 Page 3Food & Drink International 15 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT after they, amongst 58,000 in total, were sent back to Sudan due to compromised quarantine procedures where some animals lacked vaccination against diseases like Rift Valley Fever, having a major economic impact on exporters. According to The Guardian, Saudi Arabia purchases over 70 per cent of its livestock from Sudan, and last year thousands of sheep died in similar conditions thanks to a Saudi Arabian block in reaction to a Rift Valley fever outbreak in Sudan. In addition, India faced a wall in Saudi Arabia this year as its exports of cardamom, for which Saudi Arabia is its largest buyer (accounting for 85 per cent), were paused due to the tightening of chemical residue norms in July. The news came after cardamom exports resumed only in May following a gap of over a year. Most recently, Lebanon has been the focal point of news regarding the Middle East and a cautionary example of import dependence. As a country importing 85 per cent of its food, the Beirut port explosion on 4 August was devastating, and followed already high levels of instability with economic and political crisis, protests, increased poverty, food import price hikes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Killing hundreds and injuring thousands, the blast also eradicated 15,000 metric tonnes of wheat and Lebanon’s main grain silos. The New Humanitarian has pinpointed 24,000 tonnes of corn in silos and 7,000 tonnes of soy on an incoming ship were also lost. The incident has meant that ships bringing in the country’s food have needed to dock at other ports. Lebanon was already experiencing a food crisis, with import dependency damaging food security, and hyper price inflation making many items unaffordable (a UN report indicates half the country is struggling to buy food), while its limited agriculture exports, which are sent out via Beirut port will now be impacted too. International aid is promised, and the United Nations is sending grain to Lebanon to prevent a major food shortage. US backs down on threat to extend tariffs to British gin The US has backed down from a threat to impose tariffs on British goods such as gin and beer in a move hailed by the spirits industry. However, duties on British whiskey has been maintained. “The news that the US has decided not to escalate tariffs is encouraging,” said Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. “This will come as a huge relief to the growing UK British gin sector which has seen distilleries more than double in number in the last five years. Our innovative British distillers, particularly those working in the SME distilleries that the WSTA represents, can breathe easy and raise a glass to America. “This is the first important step in what should prove to be a closer trading relationship, and should provide the necessary space for constructive discussions between the US and UK Governments, and for both administrations to work to remove the remaining tariffs against Liqueurs, Bourbon and Scotch products – and all wine products affected as well. Industry’s voice on both sides of the Atlantic for a free and fair trade agenda is being listened to and that is good for business and good for consumers.” © Shutterstock /Jacob Lund 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:33 Page 416 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT A s with any mechanised process, a machine needs servicing and maintenance. A neglected machine can lead to poor performance and lower throughput – both of which can eat into a company’s profits and operating times. The trouble is, often manufacturers have no choice but to put up with these drawbacks in order to comply with government safety and environmental regulations. This is perhaps most keenly felt when it comes to lubricants. Now, however, developers and suppliers of speciality food grade lubricants are releasing products that comply with regulators, such as the Food and Drug Administration in the US, whilst also offering superior functionality and performance. This allows manufacturers to comply with regulators whilst also saving on time and money. Selecting lubricants needn’t be an exercise in settling for mediocrity or choosing the lesser of two evils. Now manufacturers have a win-win situation to hand. The importance of lubricants in the production line can’t be overstated. There’s a dizzying array of moving parts that could stick, slow down or fail altogether. While lubricants play a Ensuring the very best The food and beverage sector possesses one of the most complex and intricate supply chains of any industry, comprising specialist machinery and equipment. Each machine is a careful harmony of interlocking parts all of which requires dutiful maintenance to ensure it’s running smoothly and at maximum efficiency. These are totally stainless-steel professional items, extremely flexible to be used in the most different situations. Thanks to their most updated technical features, they have become essential to pack a certain number of products (Sauces & liquids food, meat, fish, vegetables…) in several fields of activity: from restaurant to gastronomy, catering, supermarkets etc. PARKERS FOOD MACHINERY PLUS Packaging & Ingredients Unit 6, Southern Cross Trad Est, Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 9SE T: 0330 058 4650 E: sales@pfmplus.co.uk W: www.pfmplus.co.uk 400mm Seal Vacuum Packer Inter-Com Square400 230v 16-20.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:36 Page 1Food & Drink International 17 www.fdiforum.net MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT HOSE, VALVE & COUPLING SOLUTIONS • +26($66(0%/,(6 • 9$/9(6 • 38036 • &283/,1*6 • 81,216 • dixoneurope.co.uk+44 (0)1772 323529 critical role, these parts and components themselves are of equal importance. After all, one can’t expect to make a superior food product using subpar ingredients. Therefore, manufacturers need to take the time to research and compare different parts available to them. Precision gears and drives, for example, aren’t all created equally. By the same rationale, the most expensive option won’t necessarily be the best. We live in age of endless customisation, but food manufacturers have long known the virtues of customising their equipment. So while they might have purchased such-and- such machine, they can enhance and augment its capabilities by replacing some of the gears and drives inside with more advanced alternatives. There’s a huge diversity of different 18 Á © Shutterstock /industryviews 16-20.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:36 Page 218 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT components at play during the production process, either gears whirling in their machines, or sleeves, fluid transfer couplings, tubing and pumps to transfer and contain food and beverage products during various stages of their manufacture. There are so many specialities within the food and drink sector – from soups, snacks and sandwiches, to sport hydration drinks and artisanal breads – that the machinery and equipment needed to create and process them are equally as far-reaching. There’s a vastness in the different products and their textures, viscosities and production needs and often this occurs under the same roof – especially when it comes to some of the biggest players in the industry. Often, it’s not a case of replacing the whole machine, but rather one of two components. To this end, there are a slew of suppliers that specialise in providing spare parts and components. For a manufacturer, even one faulty component can lead to unwanted downtime. You need a supplier that either stocks the part you need or can quickly order it in. It’s all a matter of minimising downtime here, so a quick expert installation is also paramount, whether this is done by staff in-house or by external specialists. For smaller companies and those that are just starting out, used 34 Á T. Freemantle first choice for small to mid-range beverage producers T. Freemantle Ltd are the first choice for many small to mid-range beverage producers with a range of solutions from simple semi-automatic machines through to higher speed fully automatic solutions. The UK designed and manufactured machinery has been developed specifically to meet the requirements of the beverage industry and is suitable for a wide range of can and bottle multipacks including Fridge Pack, Carry Handle Pack, Retail Ready Display Pack, Cluster Pack or Transit Packs. The machinery has an unrivaled flexibility and features many of the innovations from their market leading range of cartoning and sleeving machines. All machines have a specific focus on simplicity and flexibility while being easy to operate and maintain as well as hygienically built. Mail features include: • Compact footprint with simple, robust and hygienic open access design. • Pack counts from 4 to 24 on the same machine. • Speeds up to 30,000 cans/bottles per hour. • Packs are fully recyclable carton board material including full and partial wrap, fridge ready, carry packs and grab packs. • Manufactured using only the finest materials and components to deliver reliability, efficiency and only the best quality finished packs. • From a trusted long-established British manufacturer with installations in over forty counties worldwide. • Easy and fast unskilled size change that requires no change parts. • Incorporating features such as lane marshalling and counting, fallen can/bottle detection, assisted size change and integrated coding. Clients include Beavertown Brewery, London Beer Factory, Thornbridge Brewery, Northern Monk, Gipsy Hill Brewery, Kingsland Drinks, Meantime Brewery, Vocation Brewry to name a few. For more information visit www.tfreemantle.com machinery can be a great option and a real lifeline. The thing to bear in mind here is sourcing from a reputable supplier as they will be safety checked, quality assured and will likely have reviews from other manufacturers. The machines themselves will be rigorously tested and be up to modern operational standards, meaning you can put your faith in their functionality and ability. As these can be integrated into existing lines, it’s not uncommon for manufacturers to have newer machines alongside older, refurbished ones. These machines rarely exist independently and will instead be part of a wider production line linked together with chutes, pumps and, of course, conveyor systems. From chain conveyors to belt conveyors, there’s a conveyor to suit the needs of every food producer and production process. Though many of them operate in much the same way, they all perform a variety of functions, from bringing in raw ingredients to be cleaned and processes, to delivering the finished packaged product to be loaded onto trucks. There’s no one- kind-fits-all approach when it comes to conveyors, so it’s important to understand one’s needs and find the appropriate solution. Wet and dry processes required different kinds of 16-20.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:36 Page 3Food & Drink International 19 www.fdiforum.net MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT Advanced Engineering MIDDLETON LTD mixing is our business l Inline High Shear Mixer l 3 Stage High Shear Mixer l Dispersion Mixer l Fluid Mixers l AdPro l Top Entry High Shear Immersion Mixer l Bottom Entry High Shear Mixer l Sealed Bearing Mixer mixer design and technology Trent Industrial Estate, Duchess Street Shaw, Lancs, OL2 7UT, UK tel: +44 (0)1706 759003 fax: +44(0)1706 759004 email: info@aemixers.com web: www.aemixers.com WE HAVE MOVED Lavazza Professional brings ultimate Bean-to-Cup coffee service to the UK’s workplaces Lavazza Professional is delighted to announce the arrival of a range of Lavazza Bean to Cup machines designed to bring the coffee shop experience to workplaces in the UK. The company has joined forces with industry leading machine manufacturer Coffetek to harness the potential of combining premium drinks technology, class-leading design and high-performance engineering with Lavazza coffee. The new Lavazza Professional Bean to Cup offer is available in both table-top or free-standing machines. For popular coffee choices produced to the highest standards, the machines are equipped with integrated grinders, nine atmospheres of pressure and a milk frothing system. The machines are intuitive to use and feature innovative Distance Selection Technology, enabling drinks to be selected without the customer having to touch the screen. “With hygiene being more important than ever, the touchless operation of the Coffetek range promises to be a popular feature as businesses to work,” said Jamie Brown, UK Sales at Lavazza. For more information, visit us www.lavazzapro.co.uk/machine- range/bean-to-cup-range © Shutterstock /Sergej Cash 16-20.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2020 13:37 Page 4Next >