Stora Enso has divested its three corrugated packaging plants in Russia, citing uncertainties in the country's market as a key driver. The company says the divestment of its sites in Lukhovitsy, Arzamas and Balabanovo to local ownership and operations will provide a "more sustainable long-term solution" for these facilities and their employees. A statement from Stora Enso said: "The transaction will have no material impact on Stora Enso's annual sales and operational EBIT. Due to reduced business prospects for these businesses, an impairment loss of €35 million was recorded in the first quarter result. The additional loss on the transaction under IFRS will be approximately €55 million, consisting mainly of currency translation adjustments to be recorded at the closing date. The expenses are considered as items affecting comparability." The three sites currently employ around 620 people, and have a total annual capacity of 395 million m² of corrugated packaging. They each produce corrugated packaging for the grocery, home improvement, confectionery and pet food categories in the domestic Russian market. In March 2022, Stora Enso announced that it would stop all production and sales in Russia "until further notice" following the country's attack on Ukraine.

Molson Coors-owned apple cider brand, Aspall Cyder, has invested $16 million to upgrade its 300-year-old facility in the UK. Based in Suffolk, Aspall Cyder House has undergone a three-year modernisation project to make it more environmentally friendly, efficient and to increase production. Molson Coors, which acquired Aspall in 2018, says the investment has helped to increase production by almost 60% to approximately 70 million pints of cider annually. The project aims to keep up with demand for premium hard cider in the UK, and enable consumers to experience its range of vinegars and apple juices. In addition to creating a new fermentation building, Aspalls also upgraded its wastewater treatment plant, allowing for wastewater to be treated on-site. The project also included the construction of a new weighbridge, enabling transportation trucks to be weight on-site prior to departure to reduce mileage. Together, the treatment plant and bridge will reduce "local traffic by the equivalent of 800 tankers a year," the company said. “Aspall is one of Suffolk’s best-loved exports and one of Britain’s most distinctive cider brands. So, a fundamental commitment when we took ownership of the brand was to strengthen – and never detract from – its rich heritage,” added Phil Whitehead, Molson Coors’ managing director for Western Europe.

Givaudan has launched NaNino+, a patent-pending combination of plant-based ingredients and natural flavourings to be used as a nitrite replacement in processed meat. According to Givaudan, processed meat manufacturers are looking for clean label solutions to naturally avoid the use of nitrites in recipes. NaNino+ will expand the company’s Sense Preservation portfolio of natural shelf life solutions as well as add to its existing clean label curing alternatives. Varying market regulations means that Givaudan can support customers by tailor-fitting NaNino+ to local regulations and consumer preferences. Guillaume Gaborit, global product manager for sense preservation at Givaudan, said: "Because nitrites provide multiple benefits, replacing them is no easy task. Alternative solutions must provide the same level of performance without the associated risks." He continued: "This is what sets NaNino+ apart: it’s an integrated solution that not only ensures freshness throughout shelf life, but also delivers a cured-like multi-sensory experience in terms of taste and colour. This compelling combination provides high performance in the application itself and may allow for a “nitrite-free” claim on the label." The nitrate replacement will initially be available in Europe for emulsified cooked sausages to start, with the expansion to other applications such as cooked ham and bacon.

Primo Water Corporation has posted a 10% increase in first-quarter revenue to $526 million, after it saw strong customer demand driven by its Water Direct/Exchange business. The company also posted a 15% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $88 million, compared with the $76 million recorded last year. In North America, Primo Water's revenue grew by 9% to $397 million, driven by customer growth, pricing and increased demand for products and services from residential and business-to-business customers. Meanwhile, in the rest of the world, Primo Water's revenue grew by 14% to $129 million, led by increased demand for its products and services from residential and business-to-business customers, and tuck-in acquisitions. Earlier this year, Primo Water acquired Belgian water solutions distributor Sip-Well. However, the company saw declines in its water refill/filtration and water dispensers businesses. Primo Water's CEO, Tom Harrington, said: "I am very pleased with our performance in the first quarter of 2022, having delivered double-digit revenue growth versus the prior year. Strong customer demand continued, led by our Water Direct/Exchange business. Our customer base increased organically, and customer retention rates improved once again as we worked diligently to enhance the overall customer experience." He continued: "Our first-quarter performance gives us confidence in achieving our 2022 outlook of 9% to 10% revenue growth (adjusted for the planned exit of the North American single-use retail bottled water business)".

Swiss-Ghanaian start-up Koa has secured $10 million in growth capital investments to scale up its upcycled cocoa production capabilities. The company has raised a total of $10 million in financing with the closure of senior and junior ranking debt as well as a $4.7 million Series A equity round led by Haltra Group. Koa plans to invest the funds from the debt financing into a new cocoa production plant in Akim Achiase, Ghana. The company makes use of the otherwise wasted pulp of the cocoa fruit, reducing food waste and providing cocoa smallholders with an additional source of income. According to Daniel Otu, production and operations director at Koa, the new factory will generate 250 new jobs in rural Ghana and will allow the company to extend its cocoa fruit upcycling to an additional 10,000 farmers. "We are excited that we won strong and reputable partners for the further growth of our business. It shows that our way of responsibly doing business and our value proposition are meeting the pulse of the time. With these investments, we will be setting up Africa’s largest cocoa pulp processing plant in West Africa, which is the world’s largest cocoa-growing region," commented Benjamin Kuschnik, co-founder and group finance director at Koa. The factory, which is already under construction, will be Koa’s second and is expected to start operations by the end of this year.

Stora Enso-owned Selfly Store has launched a new range of RFID-enabled micro-stores designed for contactless on-the-go purchasing. Selfly Store is a Finish company that manufacturers self-service technologies for the retail market. The range consists of three intelligent cabinets: Selfly Fresh, for food stored at room temperature; Selfly Cool, for refrigerated meals; and Selfly Frozen, for frozen foods. The new smart cabinets are available at hotels, offices, hospitals and sports centres, offering a wide range of meals and snacks 24/7. According to the company, Selfly Store uses "cutting-edge RFID, sensor, cloud computing and IoT technologies". Selfly Store's CEO, Aslak de Silva, said: “The global pandemic has highlighted the need for contactless solutions in retail. Unmanned retail enables cost-efficiency advantages, while at the same time offering a convenient and pleasant experience for consumers. Unlike old-fashioned vending machines, Selfly allows consumers to easily select multiple items in one go.” He continued: "Selfly Store’s RFID technology also allows store managers to keep track of expiry dates and inventory in real-time. With less product loss, Selfly Store aims to make an impact in fighting food waste and emissions related to it." “When comparing food waste generated from vending machines selling fresh food items, we are seeing a reduction of roughly 13% when using Selfly Store. This brings cost savings as well as clear environmental benefits.” Selfly Store solution has been implemented in 16 countries throughout Europe, including the UK.

Kellogg's has expanded its snack range with the launch of its new flavour of Rice Krispies cereal sweet treats – Rice Krispies Treats Homestyle Cinnamon Sugar. The new release consists of "fluffy marshmallows, golden butter and a sprinkle of warm cinnamon". Cinnamon Sugar will join the brand's existing Rice Krispies Treats Homestyle flavours: original and chocolate. Heidi Ray, senior director of brand marketing for Kellogg's portable wholesome snacks, said: "Whether you're a busy parent packing lunchboxes or a grown-up kid craving a taste of childhood, fans can enjoy this deliciously sticky, simple snack any time of day and be transported to a homey kitchen in just one bite". The flavoured sweet treat is now available in US grocery stores nationwide for an SRP of $3.99 for six bars in a box or $5.24 for 12 bars in a box.

Ingredion has launched a range of pea and faba bean concentrates, called Vitessence Prista. Vitessence Prista helps product manufacturers improve the taste and nutritional profile of non-soy-based products. Ingredion said that the range does not give a plant flavour, bitter taste or uncontrolled microbial levels, which are often in dry-milled products. Ingredion’s proprietary process allows expanding the reach of solutions into dairy alternative yogurt, cheese, drinks, ice cream, nutrition mixes, vegan sauce and dressings, bakery, snacks, pasta, batters and breading applications. Vitessence Prista can also achieve "higher quantities of plant protein in their solutions without impacting the flavour," said the company. Esra Akmanli, business development manager platforms at Ingredion, Europe, said: “Consumers are more likely to try brands with claims of 'natural' and 'healthy' ingredients, such as 'protein', 'plant-based' and 'gluten-free'. With Vitessence Prista, formulators can develop products that boast a delightful balance with an improved taste profile, lighter colour, low microbial count and superior functionality to meet consumer needs for products that truly delight. "

US food tech start-up, Tomorrow Farms, has raised $8.5 million in a seed funding round led by Lowercarbon Capital, a climate tech-focused fund. The round included participation from Maveron, Valor Siren Ventures, Simple Food Ventures and SV Angel. Founded in 2021, Tomorrow Farms partners with "deep-tech" food companies to build food and beverage brands, and is aiming to reinvent pantry and refrigerator staples "so they're better for people, kinder to animals and easier on the planet". With the capital, the company is looking to grow its team, launch its first product this summer and find new food technology partners to address some of the biggest problems facing the food system. Lowercarbon Capital's co-founder, Chris Sacca, said: “To feed 10 billion humans without burning up what’s left of our planet, we need food and drinks that are not just lower carbon, but also tastier, healthier and just plain cooler”. Tomorrow Farms CEO and co-founder, Ben Berman, added: “We’re on the precipice of a complete paradigm shift in our food system, and that shift is necessary. We are working to bring the future of food to consumers today, partnering with the most innovative food science companies in the world to create products that actually make a difference for people, animals and the planet." Tomorrow Farms has raised a total of $10.5 million in funding to date.

Frozen food producer Real Good Foods has unveiled the latest addition to its portfolio – crispy chicken shell tacos – available in US Walmart stores. The tacos come in three varieties: seasoned beef and cheddar cheese, pulled chicken with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and shredded chicken with Cacique Oaxaca & cotija cheeses topped with Cacique avocado tomatillo salsa. Real Good Foods’ tacos are made with nutritious ingredients, are 100% grain- and gluten-free and contain 2g of net carbs as well as 25g of protein per serving. The brand does not use processed flours or grains to produce its taco shells, instead using chicken and cheese. Bryan Freeman, executive chairman of The Real Good Food Company, said: "These tacos are the result of our collaboration with Walmart where we challenged ourselves to create an item that is crave-able and new to the world. A grain-free, low-carb chicken shell taco was not an easy product design and I am proud of our talented, dedicated team that worked hard to make this possible." The three varieties of crispy chicken shell tacos are available across approximately 3,500 US Walmart stores nationwide.

The Coca-Cola Company has expanded its Freestyle portfolio with the introduction of the New Compact Freestyle smart drinks dispenser in Europe. The New Compact Freestyle machine is a smart dispenser that allows users to personalise their drinks while using their own reusable bottles, therefore reducing carbon emissions and packaging. According to Coca-Cola, the new product is "the smallest unit in the most digitally advanced range of Freestyle machines". The smart dispenser enables digital consumer interaction, including options for consumers to personalise temperature and carbonisation levels, with around 40 beverage choices available. Trials of the New Compact Freestyle will begin this month at both at-work and on-the-go outlets in France and Belgium, in partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. Meanwhile, trials are also planned for the UK and additional European countries throughout 2022. Coca-Cola's president of Europe, Nikos Koumettis, said: “The findings of our preliminary analysis promisingly show that the New Compact Freestyle can have a lower carbon footprint per serving compared to traditional packs, such as cans and PET bottles. This is hugely encouraging given the importance to deliver meaningful action on sustainability for Coca-Cola, and our customers and consumers." He continued: "In developing this new dispenser, we've used the latest in technology to offer a wide variety of personalisation options in line with both consumers’ digital-led lives and their appetite for choice. These new trials mean that consumers can prepare their own perfect drink, just as they like it, and can use less packaging and carbon to do so – a win-win for them and the environment.”

General Mills has agreed to acquire TNT Crust, a manufacturer of frozen pizza crusts, from Peak Rock Capital for an undisclosed sum. US-based TNT Crust offers partially baked, self-rising and better-for-you pizza crust products to regional and national pizza chains, foodservice distributors and retail outlets. As part of the purchase, General Mills will acquire two manufacturing facilities in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and a manufacturing facility in St Charles, Missouri, that TNT Crust purchased in 2020. Shawn O’Grady, group president of North America foodservice at General Mills, said: "This acquisition advances our accelerate strategy and builds on our strong position in the fast-growing away-from-home frozen baked goods category". He continued: "By adding the high-growth TNT Crust business to our frozen baked goods platform, we are adding to our scale in a category that is on-trend with consumers and poised for continued rapid growth". The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 and is subject to regulatory approval and other conditions.