Weekly Podcast Episode 16: Major quarterly results, research and development investments and more

Tune into the latest edition of FoodBev’s weekly podcast, where we take an in-depth look at some of the biggest stories from the food and beverage industry over the last week – click here to access on Spotify.

This week’s podcast features significant quarterly results from major companies, acquisitions, and a number of research and development investments, particularly in the plant-based and sustainable category.

Last week, Nestlé announced plans to distribute up to $20.1 billion to shareholders from 2020 to 2022. The owner of Perrier and San Pellegrino has also revealed plans to integrate its Nestlé Waters business into the group’s three geographical zones.

Meanwhile, Danone recorded a like-for-like sales rise of 3% in its third quarter as it was boosted by the performance of its baby food products in China. However, in the company’s waters division, which includes brands such as Volvic and Evian, sales were down 0.9% on a like-for-like basis. 

In one of the biggest research and development stories last week, Cargill has invested approximately $225 million to expand its soybean crush and refined oils facility in Sidney, Ohio to meet the growing demand for protein and refined oils. The expansion is due to be completed in 2022, and will provide Cargill’s adjacent refined oils facility with a larger, direct supply of crude soybean oil.

Another investment, in the packaging sector this time, was from Ball Corporation who announced plans to build its first dedicated aluminium cups manufacturing facility, to serve the growing demand for sustainable beverage packaging. Ball’s multi-year investment of approximately $200 million will see a new facility built adjacent to the company’s existing aluminium beverage can manufacturing plant in Georgia in the US. 

Another item of packaging news saw Tetra Pak join the European Commission Graphene Flagship project as the representative from the packaging industry. The commission has bee set up to explore possible future applications of graphene in food and beverage manufacturing.

This week’s podcast also features a number of acquisitions, made by Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, Uber Technologies and a first for snack brand Kind.

You’ll find all this and more in this week’s podcast – click here to subscribe.

Presented by:  Bryony Andrews and Emma Upshall

Edited by: Emma Upshall