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The German machine vision expert Bi-Ber has been supplying camera systems for confectionery for more than 25 years now and has immense experience in this special industry. The most important application is a range of systems for optical empty mould check based on colour image processing. The systems are installed directly above the conveyor and, working at line speed, check whether the moulds contain product residues, fragments or splashes. The series currently comprises four options for varying line layouts, each of which can be designed for different mould widths, materials and colours. In addition, customer-specific adaptations and tailored inspection systems are possible. Cameras, lighting and a touch panel PC are integrated in a single or two separate stainless-steel cabinets, depending on the model. Thus, there are suitable solutions for retrofitting in existing production lines, too. The system’s software is permanently enhanced with new functions. Last improvements were the easier teach-in of similar moulds by copying entire parameter sets, an automatic function for correct mould position detection as well as an archive function for browsing the most recent images with negative results. In addition, the available interfaces have been supplemented by ProfiNet, so that more detailed test results such as individual alveolar results or error clusters can be transferred to the machine control even at low cycle times.

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Koelnmesse reorganises its Food and Food Technology divisions, merging them into a single business unit. Effective immediately, Bastian Mingers will take over leadership of the FoodTec business unit at Koelnmesse, in addition to his existing postion as Vice President Food. He succeeds Claire Steinbrück, who is leaving the company at her own request.

Mingers has been with Koelnmesse for two and a half years. As Vice President Food, the 41-year-old has been responsible for events such as Anuga, ISM and the associated international portfolio. In his new role as Vice President FoodTec, he will also oversee ProSweets Cologne, Anuga FoodTec, and Anuga HORIZON. Before joining Koelnmesse, the marketing expert worked for Messe Düsseldorf for eleven years, most recently as Global Head Wine & Spirit.

“Bringing the Food and Food Technology divisions under one leadership is a strategic move, given the significant content overlap between the two areas,” says Oliver Frese, Managing Director of Koelnmesse GmbH and Chief Operating Officer responsible for the company’s global trade fair and event portfolio. “I am excited about this new challenge and grateful for the trust placed in me,” says Mingers, adding that, with the integration of Food and FoodTec, his new division will represent the entire value chain of the food sector.

“Trends like functional food and alternative protein sources are driving technological advancements in the industry at a rapid pace. These innovations must be scaled globally to address current and future challenges in the food and beverage industry,” Mingers explains. The goal should be to bridge tradition and modernity in food production. This involves bringing together traditional production methods, innovative food technology, and contemporary food trends with forward-looking innovations more closely than ever before.

“We wish Bastian Mingers every success with his expanded portfolio,” emphasises Frese. “We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Claire Steinbrück for her dedicated and creative contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”

A bespoke packaging solution from Berry Global is helping Finnish dairy pioneer Valio to meet its commitment to reduce plastic usage by 15% in its single-use, single-serve packaging by 2026. As part of this, Valio’s popular range of PROfeel protein puddings are being switched to a custom-designed version of Berry’s CombiLight pot. The CombiLight is a hybrid packaging solution made from a plastic skeleton and carton sleeve, which are melted together to create a strong structure. Valio had already switched its quark products to the CombiLight, but for the puddings the conversion required the development of a new coating with enhanced barrier properties to ensure optimal shelf life, as Valio’s Head of Packaging Development Juhana Pilkama explains: "While quark is an acidic product, pudding is neutral. This meant that the standard coating in the CombiLight™ cup was not suitable. Therefore, we started a project with Berry to develop a new enhanced barrier coating to ensure optimal shelf life. Now, we are ready to launch the pudding in the new pot with an impressive 120-day shelf life." The new barrier solution was achieved by Berry working in collaboration with Stora Enso, a leader in barrier technology. As well as helping to reduce food waste, this extended shelf life will also provide better export opportunities for Valio. The company will launch the high-protein PROfeel puddings, offered in flavours including chocolate, caramel, and vanilla-meringue, in the new packaging this December. There is a booming market for high-protein desserts, and with the new pot, Valio is ready to take on even more markets while honouring a voluntary Green Deal, signed in 2023 with the Finnish government, to reduce plastic usage in packaging. "Our commitment to reducing plastic is reflected in the increasing use of paperboard cups for Valio’s snack products,” said Juhana Pilkama. “This change will also enhance consumer convenience, as consumers will no longer need to separate materials; for example, with the puddings, they can simply dispose of the entire packaging into carton recycling streams along with milk cartons.”

Läderach (Schweiz) AG, the manufacturer of premium chocolate from the canton of Glarus, has continued its dynamic growth in 2024 as well.  

In November, the new chocolaterie on High Street in Kensington/London was the 200^th chocolaterie to open worldwide, which means the store network has doubled in just four and a half years. The 100^th chocolaterie opened on 5th Avenue in New York.

From January to October 2024, Läderach increased its turnover by 14% compared to the previous year. The forecast is for revenue growth in 2024 to rise to over 15% by the end of the year. The main driver for this growth is the international locations, but revenue growth is also anticipated in the home market of Switzerland. The growth of locations and sales has also resulted in an increase in the number of employees. There are now well over 2,200 employees worldwide who work for the family company, not including franchise partners in the Middle and Far East.

2024 has been the year in which Läderach’s new brand identity has been widely felt among customers as a result of redesigned packaging and customer communication. The new branch concept is currently being tested in Zurich Sihlcity, Miami Aventura, and Shanghai IAPM. The reactions have been consistently positive, confirming the company’s even more visible position as “premium and progressive.” After four years, the House of Läderach in Bilten has just welcomed its 1,000,000th visitor.

Production capacities are currently the bottleneck factor affecting further growth, and so the third production facility in the canton of Glarus, also on the Bilten site, is scheduled to start operating from the summer. All FrischSchoggi products will be produced on a footprint of around 13,000 square metres. The modular construction will enable subsequent expansion, which means the company can focus on future security and further growth.

”The dynamic development of our company in 2024 is confirmation of our international growth strategy. While we have been able to strengthen our market position in our home market of Switzerland, it is in our international locations, including the USA and Europe, where we have seen dynamic growth,” says CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors Johannes Läderach. “I would like to express my sincere thanks to our 2,200 employees from 70 different nations. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to write this success story. With an innovation pipeline that is full to the brim and excellent additional locations and markets, our aim is to continue along this path,” says Johannes Läderach.

The company offers robust inductive proximity switches that are resistant to high-pressure cleaning and water vapor. The IGMW series was specifically designed for use in processes with regular high-pressure cleaning as well as in washing bays and cooking processes. The climate-change-resistant, specially sealed sensors have a stainless-steel housing and a PTFE cap and are suitable for food processes. Featuring an IP68/IP69k rating, they can withstand both submersion and repeated high-pressure cleaning with water or steam. The sensors operate reliably at ambient temperatures between -25 °C and 120 °C, even with frequent temperature fluctuations combined with high humidity. They are available in M12, M18 and M30 designs with a 2-meter FEP cable and in customized designs. EGE also supplies climatic proofed inductive proximity switches for cleaning processes, washing bays, food and paper manufacturing processes (IGMF tropical series) and applications where sensors are repeatedly flushed with roller emulsion (IGFW, INFW). The series has proven itself for over 40 years and has been constantly improved and adapted. For example, the manufacturer has recently added a sensor in M8 design with an increased sensing distance (IGMF 202 GSP). The proximity switches withstand frequent temperature changes, flooding, vibrations and high-pressure cleaning without any problems. Their chemical resistance and tightness exceed the requirements in industry standards.

Exberry® color supplier GNT has officially launched an independent investment firm to accelerate innovation and boost sustainability at every stage of the value chain. GNT Ventures was created to invest in start-up companies that have the potential to help pioneer new and improved plant-based coloring solutions. Its focus is on four key areas: raw materials and fermentation, processing, food ingredients, and upcycling. It is part of GNT’s long-term strategy to reshape the plant-based color landscape with innovative new products that can drive a healthier future for the people and the planet. GNT Ventures has already executed some investments, including the recently announced partnership with Plume Biotechnology to create new plant-based Exberry® color solutions using unique fermentation technologies. The firm is now aiming to significantly step up its investment activity and is actively seeking out new collaborations with further start-ups worldwide. Finn Rieken, Managing Director of GNT Ventures, said: “We’re looking to build mutually beneficial relationships with start-ups that dare to dream big and have the drive to shape tomorrow’s planet. We can provide financial, technical, commercial, and regulatory support, using our expertise to not only help bring bold new visions to life but successfully market them worldwide.” GNT Ventures is seeking to collaborate with start-ups by providing them with the tools they need to bring cutting-edge ideas to life. It can provide comprehensive financial support, whether by leading the financing as a sole investor or helping to share the load as co-leads. It is primarily focused on pre-seed to series A funding, with a maximum ticket size of €1 million.

A recent consumer survey on the use of flexible packaging commissioned by Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) reveals some interesting results.  

The representative survey was conducted by the global market research institute Censuswide in the six major European markets of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Great Britain and Poland in 2024 and recorded the responses of a total of 6,000 consumers.

According to the survey, European consumers particularly value flexible packaging for its very good protective and preservative properties (46%), its ease of use (45%) and its low weight (42%). Flexible packaging enjoys above-average popularity, particularly among younger consumers and in countries such as Poland and France. In Poland, a total of 28% of consumers are in favour of flexible packaging, followed by 25% in France.

With regard to sustainability, half of all respondents answered that they perceive flexible packaging as recyclable. While there are some differences between countries, e.g. 65% in Spain, 58% in Italy, 40% in Germany and 38% in Poland, the differences between age groups and genders are only marginal.

GNT has earned its first EcoVadis gold medal for environmental and ethical activities, ranking the company among the top 3% in the food manufacturing industry. GNT creates Exberry® colors from fruit, vegetables, and plants and has set out a commitment to lead the food coloring industry on sustainability. It has used EcoVadis, a globally recognized provider of business sustainability ratings, to verify its performance and identify areas for improvement since 2017. After achieving a silver medal last year, GNT has now secured a gold ranking for the first time. EcoVadis awarded a total of 78 out of 100 points, placing GNT in the 97th percentile among food manufacturing businesses to have undertaken the evaluation. EcoVadis assessed GNT’s performance across four key areas. It gave the highest scores for Environment and Labor & Human Rights and also increased its ratings on Ethics and Sustainable Procurement. The key factors in the gold ranking included:

- Transparent reporting, including an independent Greenhouse Gas Verification Statement

- New initiatives to support employee training, health and safety, and working conditions throughout the value chain

- A new Code of Conduct and policy to support whistleblowers

Rutger de Kort, Sustainability Manager at GNT Group, said: “We are delighted to have earned our first EcoVadis gold medal. This is an important industry benchmark that is used by many of the world’s leading companies to assess their suppliers’ sustainability credentials. Securing gold is a powerful statement as only 5% of assessed companies achieve this status and our score puts us in the top 3%. This will help us demonstrate to manufacturers that our plant-based Exberry^® colors meet the very highest sustainability standards.” In 2022, GNT set out 17 sustainability targets to optimize its environmental and social impacts over the course of the current decade. Its successes so far include a 22% reduction in carbon intensity at Exberry^® factories since 2020 and a 13% improvement in water efficiency. In addition, the contract farmers working as part of GNT’s supply chain have all received training in sustainable agriculture, with 74% achieving a minimum of Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) silver standard.