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  19/03/2024 | Trade Fair, Technology

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. SP

The new Coperion MEGAtex R90 Cooling allows flexible adjustments to meat substitute texture at high throughputs. Just in time for Anuga FoodTec Coperion introduces the latest model in its MEGAtex cooling die series for manufacturing plant-based HMMA (High Moisture Meat Analogues). The new MEGAtex R90 texturizing unit achieves throughputs of up to 500 kg/h and is optimally matched to Coperion’s ZSK Food Extruders in sizes ZSK 43 and ZSK 54. Visitors can experience the MEGAtex cooling die series at the Coperion booth B-011 in Hall 10.1. Used in vegan ground meat substitutes and chicken analogues among other products, HMMA is manufactured using plant proteins. The MEGAtex cooling die provides HMMA with its fibrous and meat-like textures.

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

www.coperion.com

 
 
  16/03/2024 | Technology

Case Packer Elematic 3001 from Syntegon: Extended features with three levels of automation

Syntegon’s Elematic 3001 WAH case packer now comes with Syntegon Operator Assistance – a feature for assisted format changeovers. SP

Syntegon’s Elematic 3001 WAH case packer now comes with Syntegon Operator Assistance – a feature for assisted format changeovers. Syntegon has been building case packers at Remshalden for 60 years. Today, the packaging experts are further optimizing format change processes and are adding the new feature to the tried-and-tested Click system. It helps companies from a wide range of industries to increase the level of automation of their packaging processes and make format changeovers more consistent, user-friendly and efficient. Users can choose between different options for guided, verified or semi-automatic size changeovers. “The new features can be used both independently and in combination with each other,” says Bernhard Vaihinger, Strategy & Product Management Secondary Food Packaging. With Guided Size Changeover, the Human Machine Interface (HMI) and the message-in-place screens show machine operators step-by-step instructions. These indicate which format parts and settings need to be changed. LEDs provide additional guidance as to where the task needs to be carried out. If users opt for Verified Size Changeover, every setting and format part is automatically checked via RFID technology. This eliminates production interruptions and downtime caused by incorrect format parts. In combination with Guided Size Changeovers, manufacturers can achieve efficient processes during which every step is automatically confirmed. In the Semi-Automatic Size Changeover option Syntegon Operator Assistance ensures a particularly efficient size changeover thanks to intelligent drives at the format points. Operators select the desired format at the touch of a button on the HMI and the machine automatically moves in position in a set sequence.

www.syntegon.com

 
 
  14/03/2024 | Ingredients

Döhler Ventures invests in Vertosa

A strategic partnership to develop innovative life science beverages SP

A strategic partnership to develop innovative life science beverages Döhler, a global provider of natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions, and Vertosa, a infusion technology company for cannabis and hemp products, announce a strategic research and development partnership for the food, beverage and nutrition industries. This partnership is set to spark a new wave of innovative life science products in the beverage sector.

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.

www.doehler.com/en/

 
 
  13/03/2024 | Trade Fair

Success factor Anuga FoodTec: Sustainable protein alternatives from plants, fermentation and cultivation

The technology trade fair and the German Association for Alternative Protein Sources (BALPro e.V.) are extending their cooperation for sustainable innovation in the food industry. SP

The technology trade fair and the German Association for Alternative Protein Sources (BALPro e.V.) are extending their cooperation for sustainable innovation in the food industry. “Due to the further growth of world population, we can presume an increased need for food and thus also a growing demand for plant-based protein", says Matthias Schlüter, Director of Anuga FoodTec. From 19 to 22 March 2024, Anuga FoodTec will address the theme of the processing of alternative proteins and the necessary know-how along the entire process chain. "The renewed cooperation with BALPro e.V. underlines our common obligation to design the food and beverage industries to be more sustainable. We are convinced that this partnership will contribute to advancing pioneering ideas and innovations, with the aim of adequately addressing the challenges of the future", Schlüter continued. Whether this now involves fermenters, bioreactors, filtration systems or driers: trade visitors and companies will find comprehensive information about the manufacture of alternative proteins at Anuga FoodTec. The international supplier trade fair of the food and beverage industries thereby not only covers the broad spectrum of solutions for the manufacture of plant-based and cultivated meat alternatives, but also takes a detailed look at solutions for milk, cheese, egg or fish alternatives. BALPro e.V. shares this commitment: ”Our cooperation focuses on supporting our members and other industry participants in shaping the development of the sector together and utilising potential. Only in this way can the increasing global need for new technologies and resource-preserving solutions be covered", is how Fabio Ziemßen, chairman of the German association, expresses it. The trade fair visitors can look forward to fascinating insights and inspiring discussions revolving around this future-oriented theme.

www.anugafoodtec.de/

 
 
  05/03/2024 | Packaging

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. SP

This strategic investment underlines Cardbox Packaging's commitment to expanding its global footprint and enhancing its manufacturing capabilities. The investment will focus on the acquisition of state-of-the-art machinery to boost production efficiency, quality, and capacity at the Czech Republic and moving to another efficiency-focused facility. Key equipment acquisitions include:

- 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.

www.cardbox-packaging.com

 
 
  05/03/2024 | Trade Fair

Anuga FoodTec presents modern approaches to process analysis and quality control

Thanks to progress in the field of optical technologies, many tasks of quality control and assurance can in the meantime be solved in real time. SP

Thanks to progress in the field of optical technologies, many tasks of quality control and assurance can in the meantime be solved in real time. Artificial intelligence and deep learning algorithms thereby play an increasingly important role on the Cologne fair grounds." In the food industry, quality control with its classic methods of analysis and wet chemical processes is still very broadly distributed. This takes place in the lab, whereby a sample is taken for each batch. Products that do not correspond with specifications are held back. There is often thereby a heterogeneous environment of analysis devices, software tools and processes present in the company. The devices are linked only in individual cases via the operating software with a central lab information and management system (LIMS). The data are transferred with USB sticks and Excel sheets or, least ideally, are printed out and handed over manually – such a procedure in times of increasing digitalisation is hardly practical. The key to the better product In addition to this, the samples must be taken during ongoing production under observance of the strictest hygiene conditions, which proves especially difficult in closed processes. "Especially with regard to trends like the Internet of Things and Big Data, various processes and structures in quality assurance must be adapted in companies that process food", says Matthias Schlüter, Director Anuga FoodTec. Automation solutions and process analysis technologies (PAT), both areas of focus on the Cologne fair grounds, are key to this. "Visitors find a comprehensive offering across segments for qualitative and quantitative analysis in the lab and process at the stands of the exhibitors", according to Schlüter. With a PAT-based approach, the measurement parameters familiar from the lab are directly recorded in the production process by the analysis instruments. From there, the values are transferred to the process control system, which can be integrated on the device side into an Industry 4.0 concept. The declared goal: to ensure a food production within the specifications from the start that avoids product losses and helps reduce costs.

www.anugafoodtec.com

 
 
  05/03/2024 | Ingredients

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. SG SP

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. In his new role, Eberle will be responsible for overseeing Operations at Beneo.

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.

beneo.com

 
 
  05/03/2024 | Industry, International

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. SG

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.

lindt-spruengli.com

 
 
  04/03/2024 | Technology

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. SP

Climate tech venture capital fund, Icos Capital, held the “Collaborative Innovation Summit” at Bühler’s CUBIC Innovation Campus on February 29, 2024. The event brought together investors, industry leaders, and promising start-ups from the food, chemicals, and biotech sectors to accelerate sustainable solutions. The partners intend to grow their ecosystem of collaboration and innovation to enable start-ups to scale up their efforts in tackling some of the most urgent and complex challenges in the food and chemicals industries. The main day of the event was preceded by the “Collaboration Day” in “The Valley”. The idea of ways for start-ups to collaborate with industry partners such as The Cultured HUB, ERIDIA, and Bühler was discussed.

“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. 

www.buhlergroup.com

 
 
  01/03/2024 | Packaging

Investment project at Sappi Gratkorn is well on schedule

Sappi’s new Parade Label WS wet-glue label paper has been produced and converted successfully SP

Sappi’s new Parade Label WS wet-glue label paper has been produced and converted successfully To further strengthen its position as a leading provider in the label paper sector, packaging and speciality paper manufacturer Sappi is investing significantly in its production site in Gratkorn, Austria. Investments in the expansion of the state-of-the-art technical infrastructure – announced a year and a half ago – are being carried out and are proceeding on schedule. The first batches of the new wet-strength and alkali-resistant Parade Label WS paper have been produced and delivered to selected customers as part of a long-term validation programme. The results are very positive and confirm expectations. The validation phase is scheduled to proceed until summer 2024, with product samples available to all interested parties from now. The new Parade Label WS is a wet-strength and alkali-resistant label paper. It is double-coated and features a functional coating on its reverse side. The outstanding surface enables users to achieve impressive printing and finishing results. After the validation phase, Parade Label WS is available in basis weights ranging from 65 to 80 g/m2 – in embossed and non-embossed versions. It can be converted using all standard printing processes and is suitable for creating high-quality labels, e.g. for returnable containers in the food and beverage sector. The paper also boasts excellent lay-flat properties and supports all common printing and finishing techniques. Revised brand name provides clarity Robert Gabriel-Jürgens, Head of Sales Label Papers at Sappi Europe, confirms: “The test phase for Parade Label WS is going extremely well. We have already received very positive feedback from the market on the product’s outstanding properties, and especially on the paper’s superb surface and performance. Customers and other interested parties who would like to familiarise themselves with Parade Label WS are welcome to request product samples from us. We will be happy to provide these either as hand samples, pallets or rolls.” As part of the brand strategy, the wet-strength and alkali-resistant paper, which was initially marketed under the name “Parade Label Pro WS”, has been renamed “Parade Label WS. This clearly differentiates it from the Parade Label Pro non-wet-strength labelling paper.”

www.sappi-psp.com

 
 
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