Growing consumer demand for sustainable products pushed Kraft Heinz to reconsider the packaging of its fruit puree snacks and meat and vegetable snacks for the international market. Both Heinz and its Plasmon baby food branded products are produced in a historic factory in Latina, Italy. Nowadays, snacks are available in easy-care pouches with re-sealable caps made of plastic mono-material – and therefore easily recyclable – and packed in cardboard boxes and displays that reduce the environmental impact of the product considerably. The project by the US-based international company covered various steps of the chain of production – from the selection of 100% raw materials of Italian origin to the cooking and filling process, where they shifted from the traditional thermal system to aseptic filling. Such a change also had an important impact on the production lines, bringing a significant benefit on the energy efficiency front, today extremely critical and, at the same time, strategic for production companies. “Just to give an idea of the global impact of this project, suffice to consider that the volume produced exceeds 3,000 tons per year, corresponding to more than 30 million pouches produced with a variety of 56 recipes including fruit, meat and dessert,” explained Enrico Pucci, engineering project manager (consultant) – Latina, The Kraft Heinz Company. “The degree of product innovation is proven by some targets like first world producer of baby food in 100% recyclable aseptic pouches, the first manufacturer of fully recyclable pouches on the Italian market and the highly-rated acknowledgement UK Packaging Awards 2022 – Highly Commended in the Flexible Plastic Pack of the Year 2022 class.” He added: “It is also impossible not to mention the benefit in terms of packaging material reduction: we calculated a saving of 250 tons of plastic per year”. This a project worth sharing, accomplished with the involvement of partners like Cft for process machinery, Ima for the aseptic chain of production, and Cama and Clevertech for packaging and end-of-line, respectively. These are all excellent Italian companies in their core business at a global level. Here, we going to tell you about Cama and Clevertech, both part of the Smart Packaging Hub, which offer ad hoc designed and implemented secondary and tertiary packaging solutions. Secondary packaging and end-of-line: An innovative and integrated solution An integrated packaging and end-of-line system were developed by Clevertech, a specialist in the design of end-of-line integrated solutions for various industries, including the food and beverage sector. The company took care of the relationship with Kraft Heinz as a single point of contact to deliver a turnkey system. “With our solution, we contribute largely to the production of the goods and take it to the last stage, that of logistics to deliver the product to the point of sale, and hence to the consumer,” said Luca Carollo, Clevertech business development and key account Kraft Heinz. “For implementing the pouches packaging system, we involved Cama, a leader in secondary packaging machines and integrated systems, which developed a very innovative proposal.” The system can package 240 pouches/minute with an upgrade to 360 pouches/minute. The fully automated solution includes two parallel operating wrap-around units that can manage different formats of pouches, in different units, producing both boxes and display trays to sell single items. The project expansion plans to integrate a third unit to increase the packaging speed to 360 ppm. "Today's machine suppliers must be able to ensure that the system can be expanded to meet future needs of the client, thus ensuring an easy return on investment (ROI),” stated Carollo. The system includes an end-of-line and palletising section, designed by Clevertech, and applies a concept that revolutionises the traditional end-of-line layout. A synergy of skills The rationale behind the Smart Packaging Hub – six companies with particular skills and know-how of the packaging supply chain – is to act as a multifunctional supplier that is able to meet the requirements of most multinational consumer goods companies, which prefer a single point of contact. “The strength of this collaboration is also found in its ability to suggest the best solution while evolving the client-supplier relationship pattern – from selling a solution to implementing a system that is not only custom-made but also offers benefits in terms of ROI, thanks to a different approach and listening to the client," added Carollo. In this setting, Clevertech can read automation and implement fully robotised lines, while Cama manufactures cutting-edge packaging machines and develops in-house skills to design saving-inspired innovative packaging. Sustainability led to the re-design of secondary packaging The development of primary packaging from a green perspective also led to a redesign of the packaging for retail, based on the same criteria and to obtain top flexibility. “It is just here where we maximised the cooperation between client and supplier, when Cama, with its know-how, could support the entire process from designing cases and boxes to selecting the material, hence realising the added value of Smart Packaging Hub to our full satisfaction,” said Pucci. “Single pouches of different formats – from 85g to 220g – are packed vertically in a four to six pouches case that is also a tray to sell loose pouches. In turn, cases can be packed in a larger box also to be used as a display to sell cases and, at the same time acting as a tertiary packaging that makes transport on pallets easier,” explained Sergio Cornago, sales manager at Cama. He added: “A client submits a request, and with our system engineering team, we realise a design that meets their requirements and is compatible with the machines that will process the packaging”. The in-house development of packaging is a requirement that identifies Cama among packaging machine manufacturers. Another important point is a range of different machine types – side loading and top loading – that allow the development of extremely creative packaging solutions. The end-of-line is now functional for logistics Another important innovation of the project covers the location of the palletising system; as suggested by the Clevertech technical team, contrary to what was mentioned by the client, they located the system next to the finished product warehouses, hence reducing the transfer cost by means of lift trucks and obtaining an ROI. "Again, the technical contribution of the general contractor Clevertech made it possible to optimise the layout, offering a clear economic and energy saving benefit,” as Pucci pointed out. In fact, a flexible product-handling machine was realised, to meet the requirement of managing different package formats. “By means of two robotised manipulators, packages of different sizes are aligned so as to automatically build a layer, that will be transferred onto a pallet,” Carollo explained. “Hereinafter, two manipulators will increase the palletising speed from 240 ppm to 360 ppm by only adding a module, without having to integrate an additional manipulator.” The integrated, complete end-of-line system includes pre-formation input transports, Cartesian pre-formation systems, pallet store and feeder, palletising, vertical frame applicator on the pallet, pallet wrapper and labelling unit. Pack ML, an interoperability standard The system developed by Cama-Clevertech meets the Pack ML requirements, an aspect of no small importance. Pack ML (Packaging Machine Language) is a technical standard of the industry to control packaging machines as part of industrial automation. It is a universal system to “write” the automation software on board the machine. Essentially, they are guidelines that make it possible to obtain interoperable systems. “Indeed, a major achievement, as it allows analysing performance data coming from machines of different suppliers that apply Pack ML,” Carollo said. The first release – set up by a consumer product multinational company to solve machine compatibility issues – goes back to 2003; however, only today are other groups demanding systems from their suppliers that comply with Pack ML. The benefit offered by such companies as Cama and Clevertech is that they have been developing standardised Pack ML-suitable software for no less than a decade.

US health and wellness brand Alani Nu has launched a new line of protein bars in the country. In response to customer feedback and requests, the brand has transformed its original crunchy recipe into new, soft, chewy and gooey protein bars available in new flavours. The flavours include: peanut butter & jelly, rocky road and caramel crunch. Each bar is packed with up to 17g of protein. Alani Nu's founder, Katy Hearn, said: "Our goal was to give our community what they've been asking for – a softer, chewier bar in fun and delicious flavours, and we're just so happy to be able to give them that". Alani protein bars are currently available online at the brand's website. The bars will also be sold at The Vitamin Shoppe and GNC stores.

Polish food brand Dawtona has added two new tomato-based products to its UK range of ambient store cupboard ingredients. Made from farm-grown fresh tomatoes, Dawtona Passata and Dawtona chopped tomatoes are said to deliver an intense and authentic flavour to add richness to a wide range of dishes, including pasta sauces, soups, casseroles and curries. Debbie King, retail sales and marketing director at Best of Poland, a UK importer and distributor for the F&B industry, said: “As the number one brand in Poland, these high-quality products from a well-known and trusted manufacturer offer retailers a great opportunity to bring something new and fresh to the market and capitalise on the growing popularity of international cuisines and vegetable-based home cooking”. She added: "With more than 30 years experience of growing fruit and vegetables in our own fields and operating an acclaimed field-to-fork model which ensures the tomatoes are packed within hours of picking, these new products provide exceptional quality at an affordable price. "Until now, Dawtona has been best known for its range of authentic ingredients which help replicate the Polish meal experience at home, but we’re confident that these new products will appeal to world foods and mainstream customers while also attracting new shoppers.” The Dawtona range comprises fresh fruit and vegetables grown by 2,000 farmers across Poland, all picked, bottled or canned "at the peak of freshness," said the company. In addition, the product line contains no added preservatives. Dawtona Passata is available to buy for an RRP of £1.50 per 690g jar. Meanwhile, Dawtona chopped tomatoes is available for £0.95 per 400g can. Both products can be purchased at Tesco stores nationwide.

Carlsberg has signed an agreement to offload its Russian business to an undisclosed buyer, after announcing its decision to sell the business in March last year. In a statement, Carlsberg highlighted that the separation process of its Russian business from the rest of the company has been "very complicated". It involved managing around 150 work streams across various business functions, as well as making investments exceeding DKK 150 million (approx. $21,95 million) in brewery equipment and IT infrastructure in markets outside Russia. The beer giant did not reveal the identity of the buyer and said the deal remained “subject to a comprehensive regulatory approval process”. In addition, the completion of the transaction is subject to meeting several customary requirements, such as obtaining regulatory approval and fulfilment of specific conditions in multiple jurisdictions. As a result, the exact timing of the transaction's final completion remains uncertain. Carlsberg said: "In order to ensure that the approval processes go as smoothly as possible, we cannot provide further details at this time". The company stated that the sales agreement would not impact its 2023 earnings expectations. Carlsberg CEO Cees ’t Hart said: “The signing of an agreement to sell the Russian business is a very important milestone in the highly complex separation and selling process. While it has been an extensive process, it has been important for us to reach the best possible solution for all stakeholders, including our more than 8,000 employees in Russia. We now look forward to receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.” Terms of the transaction were also not disclosed.

De Soi, a premium non-alcoholic sparkling apéritif brand, has announced the launch of a new rosé-inspired, ready-to-drink canned apéritif, Très Rosé. Très Rosé features a blend of adaptogens, including lion's mane combined with saffron and botanicals such as rooibos. The new drink has notes of bright red fruits and subtle florals. According to the company, Très Rosé was developed for consumers looking for a lighter alternative to a more traditional bitter apéritif. Très Rosé joins the brand's existing line-up, which includes Golden Hour, made with lemon balm and L-theanine; Champignon Dreams, crafted with reishi mushroom and passion flower; and Purple Lune, made with ashwagandha and tart cherry. De Soi's co-founder and American singer-songwriter, Katy Perry, said: “With Très Rosé, we wanted to create flavour that truly embodies the feeling of summer. Each sip takes you to a sun-drenched beach, a sparkling pool or a tropical island paradise.” De Soi's co-founder and chief product officer, Morgan McLachlan, added: “Très Rosé draws inspiration from the delicate profile of rosé, and elevates the experience with the subtle layering of mindfully selected botanicals. We carefully composed Très Rosé to bring the familiar feeling of enjoying a glass of rosé to the modern consumer seeking an occasion-worthy drink that is at once sophisticated, celebratory and reflects their wellness standards.” Très Rosé can be purchased online in four-packs or in single cans from select retailers nationwide. The new flavour will also be available in 750ml bottles this autumn.

Aldi will add a milk chocolate & peanut butter-flavoured cream liqueur to its Ballycastle portfolio. Ballycastle's milk chocolate & peanut butter cream liqueur features a blend of Irish whisky, chocolate and peanut butter notes. According to Aldi, the drink offers a taste reminiscent of Reese's peanut butter cups, but with an alcoholic twist. The new flavour follows the launch of Ballycastle's hazelnut chocolate cream liqueur, which is an alcoholic twist on the Nutella spread. Ballycastle's milk chocolate & peanut butter cream liqueur is available in Aldi stores nationwide from 29 June for £7.49 per 70cl bottle.

Pernod Ricard, through Chivas Brothers Limited, has entered into an agreement in principle with Stock Spirits Group for the potential sale of its Clan Campbell. The decision comes after Pernod received an offer from the spirits and liqueur producer to buy the Scotch whisky brand. Stock Spirits is a Polish company with a presence in Czechia, Slovakia and Italy. It has a portfolio of more than 70 brands, including Żołądkowa vodka, Stock 84 brandy, Limonce limoncello and Bozkov rum. The group, which exports to over 50 countries worldwide, employs more than 1,200 staff. Pernod describes Clan Campbell as "one of the leading brands" in the blended 12-year-old Scotch whisky category in France. The brand is also available in other European markets such as Spain, Luxembourg and Italy. The French spirits giant said that the transaction is part of the company's active portfolio management, which aims to align with the changing demands of its consumers while expanding opportunities for premiumisation. Pernod's CEO, Alexandre Ricard, stated: “Our dynamic and broad-based growth across categories and geographies is strengthened by our active portfolio management strategy. Following a successful series of targeted acquisitions, the disposal of Clan Campbell will enable our teams to focus on priority brands.” The completion of the proposed transaction remains subject to consultation.

Celanese Corporation, a global chemical and speciality materials company, has signed an agreement with Mitsui to establish a food ingredients joint venture, called Nutrinova. Under the agreement, Celanese will contribute the assets, technology and employees from its food ingredients business while retaining a 30% ownership stake in the joint venture. Meanwhile, Mitsui will acquire the remaining 70% stake at a purchase price of $472.5 million. Celanese said that it will use the cash to pay down debt. The Nutriova joint venture expands on the existing long-term strategic partnership between the two companies. The collaboration will see a combination of Celanese's food ingredients combining its technology, product portfolio and "backward integration" with Mitsui’s positions across the food value chain in Asia and other regions. In addition, Celanese will continue to meet the demand for acetyls raw material of the Nutrinova joint venture, under a long-term supply agreement. Celanese says that the formation of the Nutrinova joint venture will allow the company to "monetise a majority of that business in a value-accretive way and also maintain the benefits of integration with the acetyl chain". Celanese’s food ingredients business produces ingredients such as acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) sweetener and potassium sorbate preservatives. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2023, pending regulatory approvals.

American Halal Company-owned brand Saffron Road has introduced four new frozen entrées to its portfolio. The dishes, which are gluten-free and Halal certified, include: Moroccan-inspired chicken and potatoes, which is a robust casserole of potatoes, peas and white meat chicken swirled with roasted red pepper, tomato and garlic sauce; Coconut cauliflower curry, a vegan combination of roasted cauliflower and white beans and is served in a rich curry of coconut cream and warming Indian spices. Chickpea masala, which is a vegan, non-GMO chickpeas and tomatoes dish simmered in a blend of garlic, ginger and Indian spices and served with Basmati rice; and chicken enchiladas al chipotle, a roasted dark meat chicken, fire-roasted corn and Oaxaca cheese hand-wrapped in nixtamal corn tortillas with a creamy chipotle sauce and served with black beans and rice. All products will be available at Kroger stores from August. Meanwhile, the coconut cauliflower curry is also available to purchase at Giant Carlisle, Harris Teeter and Lowes stores, and the chicken enchiladas al chipotle is available at Giant Carlisle, Hannaford, Lowes and Stop & Shop stores.

BetterBrand, a food tech company in the carb space, has closed $6 million in Series A round funding, at a pre-money valuation of $170 million. The round was led by Verso Capital with participation from returning VCs such as Gaingels Fund, Alexis Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six and Craft Lane. Described by the company as its “hero product”, The Better Bagel – which transforms the carb-heavy bagel into the net carb equivalent of two banana slices – is said to have been the number one new product entrant in the natural retail channel in 2022. BetterBrand first introduced The Better Bagel via its website in 2021. The high-protein, low-carb bagels are available online and on shelves in over 1,500 stores in the US, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Fresh Market, Gelson's, Bristol Farms, Giant, Harmon's, Lassen's, Plum Market, Wild by Nature, FoxTrot and more. BetterBrand founder and CEO, Aimee Yang, said: "We are thrilled about this next chapter for BetterBrand to support our rapid global expansion and continued innovation. This is yet another example of how our mission - proving that the impossible is possible – is demonstrated through practice, and touches not only our product innovation but the massive potential of Better's power and scale." Gaingels managing director, Lorenzo Thione, commented: “At Gaingels, we are thoroughly convinced that under her leadership, BetterBrand is poised to redefine our very relationship with carbohydrates, by combining health and taste in one innovative package. BetterBrand's vision is not just about a product; it's about a revolution in how we perceive and consume starches, worldwide. We're excited to support Aimee's journey in transforming this giant market and look forward to the indelible impact BetterBrand will make.” The company has announced its plans to unveil 16 new SKUs in the coming months and will begin expanding to new markets across North America and Europe. The products will be available by the end of 2023.

Premier Foods has expanded its range of Oxo marinades with the launch of two flavours: Jamaican Jerk and Chinese 5 Spice. The new variants will join the brand's existing line-up, which includes: Smoky BBQ, Honey Glazed, Sticky Teriyaki and Sweet & Tangy. Helen Touchais, marketing director for flavourings & seasonings at Premier Foods, said: “With shoppers more confident in the kitchen and willing to experiment with new dishes, cuisines and products, the Oxo marinades range is the ideal solution to add flavour quickly and easily to a wide range of meat or vegetable-based dishes". She added: “Known to deliver high-quality, bold and tasty flavours that can be enjoyed by the whole family, Oxo's broad appeal is expected to attract new shoppers to the marinades segment within the table sauces fixture. With our brand-new flavours building on the popularity of the range to date, our extension will support retailers in gaining further growth in the category.” The new flavours are currently available at Asda stores for £2.75.

Hyfé has secured $9 million in an oversubscribed seed investment round led by investment company Synthesis Capital. Founded in 2021, Hyfé is a company that converts food processing wastewater into feedstocks for biomanufacturing and pristine water. The round included participation from The Engine, Refactor Capital, Supply Change Capital, Overwater Ventures, X Factor Ventures and Alumni Ventures. Hyfé has raised a total of $11 million in funding to date, which includes an oversubscribed pre-seed round led by The Engine in April 2022. The company aims to use the capital to drive strategic commercial partnerships, expand its workforce by doubling its current employee headcount and progress towards pilot-scale technology demonstration. “Biomanufacturing has the potential to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, but first, it needs to be made economically viable,” said Michelle Ruiz, co-founder and CEO of Hyfé. “We are building a solution that addresses a fundamental bottleneck for the bioeconomy just as it’s reaching an inflection point. This historic moment is as pivotal as the invention of the steam engine, the age of science and mass production, and the rise of digital technology.” The company explained that while other companies are working on converting solid food and agricultural waste into fermentation feedstocks, Hyfé takes advantage of its expertise in "wastewater treatment and fermentation-enabled waste valorisation" to develop feedstocks from food processing wastewater, an abundant and untapped source of carbon. This approach enables significant benefits across various sectors: food and beverage manufacturers can drastically reduce wastewater treatment costs and enhance water reuse; biomanufacturers gain access to more sustainable and cost-effective feedstocks; and "our planet benefits from increasingly carbon-negative manufacturing all along the supply chain," said Hyfé. Rosie Wardle, co-founder and partner at Synthesis Capital, said: “The future bioeconomy will be worth at least $4 trillion, and up to $30 trillion globally. We have a timely opportunity to propel this growth through the development of cost-efficient and sustainable feedstocks. We’re thrilled to support Hyfé, a leader in the biomanufacturing revolution, in their next phase of growth, applying their technology to power the development of more sustainable products across sectors through bioproduction. This is something the world desperately needs to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, revitalise the manufacturing sector, strengthen our supply chains, and improve our health and environment.”