Coperion expands MEGAtex cooling die series for High Moisture Meat Analogues
The new Coperion MEGAtex R90 Cooling allows flexible adjustments to meat substitute texture at high throughputs.
The ZSK twin screw extruder and the MEGAtex cooling die are the core technologies within the high moisture extrusion process that generates meat analogues from plant proteins with a dense, fibrous structure that closely resembles lean animal meat. The new MEGAtex R90 cooling die builds upon the principle of a round cooling die. Following discharge from the ZSK food extruder, the protein mass passes through a round channel in which the product is cooled to the desired temperature and the meat-like texture is formed to specification. For HMMA manufacturers, the cooling die opens up a broad spectrum of possible ingredients and textures – from smooth to loose, dense, foamy, large-pored and all the way to long- and short-fibered. The machine operator can precisely target process parameters such as temperature, pressure, shear rates and mass flow. The central element of the MEGAtex R90 is its rotating, cooled core. This core is provided with a pitch to influence the texture and the nozzle flow. This in turn affects the pressure in the upstream extrusion process and alters the HMMA’s texture, form, color and surface. In order to operate HMMA production machinery at very high efficiency, Coperion’s main objective in developing the MEGAtex R90 was to achieve very good and fast cleanability. All of the cooling die’s surfaces are easily accessible. With just a few manual adjustments, the die core including the drive section, can be retracted out of the cooling barrel on linear guide rails. The product channel is then fully accessible and can be cleaned in no time at all. Retracting the die core also makes the ZSK food extruder’s process section directly accessible. Its twin screws can then be removed as needed to easily clean the process section without moving the MEGAtex R90.
Hall 10.1, Stand B-011
Case Packer Elematic 3001 from Syntegon: Extended features with three levels of automation
Döhler Ventures invests in Vertosa
While Vertosa will continue to handle its category leading Cannabis and Hemp infusions, Döhler will develop natural ingredients and ingredient blends to complement Vertosa’s offering. Those blends can contain everything from natural flavors, natural colors, juices, botanical extracts to sweetening solutions. Under the terms of the partnership, Vertosa will benefit from Döhler’s research, development and application expertise and its vast experience in the beverage space. This partnership will give Vertosa access to Döhler’s prime product portfolio and technologies to co-develop innovative beverage formulations and proprietary infusion technologies for successful lifestyle beverages.
The collaboration includes an investment from Döhler Ventures, the company’s entrepreneurial investor, focused on startups within the global Nutrition & Technology ecosystem. Dr. Sebastian Dreher from Döhler Ventures says, "We're thrilled to support this collaboration. The investment reflects the long-term commitment to both the relationship and product categories, being driven by Vertosa’s professional management, thought leadership and market momentum.”
Both companies envision this partnership as a pioneering step toward a robust future for a new generation of life science beverages and beyond, combining Döhler's global reach and natural ingredient and application expertise with Vertosa’s leading infusion technologies. This collaboration is expected to elevate product development to new standards, offering consumers enhanced sensory experiences and supporting the rapid expansion of the cannabis and hemp ingredients in the beverage industry.
Cardbox Packaging Announces €6.5 Million Investment in Czech Republic
This strategic investment underlines Cardbox Packaging's commitment to expanding its global footprint and enhancing its manufacturing capabilities.
- Printing Press Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 X-8+L: A cutting-edge printing press that offers unparalleled print quality, efficiency, and versatility. This addition will enable Cardbox Packaging to produce a wider range of packaging designs with higher precision and faster turnaround times.
- Die-Cutter Bobst Visioncut 106 LER: This advanced die-cutting machine enhances precision in packaging cutting and shaping, ensuring superior product quality.
The integration of full feeding logistics and optical lateral register further optimizes the production process, reducing waste and improving efficiency. The investment in the Czech Republic is part of Cardbox Packaging's ongoing strategy to enhance its service offerings and reinforce its position among leaders in the packaging industry. By integrating these advanced technologies, Cardbox Packaging aims to set new standards in packaging innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
Anuga FoodTec presents modern approaches to process analysis and quality control
Dr Mike Eberle appointed new member of the executive Board of Directors at Beneo
Beneo, a leading manufacturer of functional ingredients for food, feed and pharma is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Mike Eberle as the newest member of its Executive Board of Directors at Beneo GmbH, effective from 1st March 2024.
Eberle, who holds a PhD in Chemistry from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, brings nearly three decades of experience within the international food and beverage sector to the new role. He started his career with positions at Unilever in both Germany and The Netherlands. Following this, he has held leadership roles in production, supply chain, logistics, and operations at leading food and drink manufacturers. Most recently, Eberle was positioned as the Chief Operations Officer at Rotkäppchen, a sparkling wine producer based in Germany.
As part of the new role at Beneo, Eberle will be responsible for Operations including production, technology, supply chain management, quality, raw material, health, safety and environmental protection, as well as sustainability. His appointment comes at a pivotal time as BENEO continues to focus on the sustainable development of its plant-based functional ingredients portfolio.
Lindt & Sprüngli with double-digit organic sales growth
Lindt & Sprüngli Group’s business model once again proved to be very successful in the financial year 2023, with double-digit organic sales growth for the third consecutive year.
Despite a slowdown in the global chocolate market, the Group is able to report a moderate volume/mix growth. Most of the growth is attributable to price increases as a result of higher raw material prices and inflationary pressure on other cost items.
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG achieved sales totaling CHF 5.20 bn (previous year: CHF 4.97 bn) in the fiscal year 2023, marking a robust organic growth of 10.3%. Currency effects, in particular the weakening of the US dollar and the Euro, led to a lower growth figure in Swiss Francs of 4.6%. Operating profit (EBIT) saw a significant rise of 9.2% year-on-year, reaching CHF 813.1 m (previous year: CHF 744.6 m). This results in an EBIT margin of 15.6%, (previous year: 15.0%).
Net income also showed a notable increase, climbing to CHF 671.4 m (previous year: CHF 569.7 m), resulting in a return on sales of 12.9% (previous year: 11.5%). This includes a one-time impact on taxes; excluding this one-time tax impact, the net income would have increased by 5.6% to CHF 601.7 m (11.6% of sales). Free cash flow stood at CHF 476.8 m, with a cash flow margin of 9.2%. The Group’s balance sheet remains solid. As of December 31, 2023, the equity ratio was 54.2% (previous year: 55.4%).
The European segment, the region with the highest sales, posted sales of CHF 2.41 bn (previous year: CHF 2.30 bn). The region grew organically by 9.1%, with double-digit growth in many European markets, including Switzerland, Italy, the UK, and Eastern Europe. The Group also generated solid growth in Germany and France.
In 2023, the North American segment increased sales to CHF 2.11 bn (previous year: CHF 2.03 bn), with an organic growth of 11.0%. Lindt & Sprüngli is gradually expanding its presence in the USA, the world’s largest chocolate market. In the USA, the focus remains on the premium segment, which is served by the global brand Lindt and the local premium brands Ghirardelli and Russell Stover. Lindor remains the bestseller. The Lindt and Ghirardelli brands once again recorded double-digit growth rates during the reporting period. Russell Stover, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023, posted mid-single-digit growth.
In the Rest of the World segment, sales increased to CHF 0.68 bn (previous year: CHF 0.65 bn). Organic growth was 12.9%. Business was particularly strong once again in Japan and Brazil, with Australia maintaining its position as the country with the largest sales revenue in this segment. Following the easing of Covid measures the Chinese economy recovered slowly, nevertheless, Lindt & Sprüngli`s business achieved a high single-digit growth, outperforming the stagnating Chinese chocolate market. The Group remains confident that the Chinese market will continue to develop in the years to come.
Global Retail, where Lindt & Sprüngli operates shops and e-shops under the Lindt, Ghirardelli, and Russell Stover brands, made significant gains in the reporting year. Sales in the shops posted double-digit organic growth in all market regions (overall 16.5%). On the one hand, this can be attributed to higher sales by the individual shops while on the other hand, the Group opened new shops in the course of the year. By the end of the year, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group had 523 shops worldwide.
The Global Travel Retail business, where Lindt products are sold in duty-free shops, returned almost to pre-Covid levels; this distribution channel benefited from the return to high passenger numbers. Organic sales grew by 20.1%. This is partly explained by base effects, especially as the business was still suffering from Covid restrictions in the first quarter of 2022.
Icos and Bühler connect dozens of start-ups and corporates to accelerate sustainability
Climate tech venture capital fund, Icos Capital, held the “Collaborative Innovation Summit” at Bühler’s CUBIC Innovation Campus on February 29, 2024.
“Our goal at Icos Capital is to identify and invest in next-level innovations to accelerate sustainability. Through our model of collaborative venturing, we bring start-ups specialized in sustainable food, circular economy, sustainable industry, and decarbonization into win-win partnerships with corporates, supporting their growth,” says Peter van Gelderen, General Partner at Icos Capital. The start-ups Icos backed since 2006 have disrupted and led their respective markets and have benefited from the Icos approach of considering financial, social, and environmental returns in equal measure. “The event here at Bühler’s CUBIC Innovation Campus is a great example of turning challenges into opportunities: we’ve connected forward-thinking entrepreneurs with brilliant ideas to solve major problems with investors ready to identify the next start-up to take to the next level and brought in industry partners equipped with the know-how and technology to accelerate positive impact at scale,” adds van Gelderen.