Vertical farming company Kalera has entered into a definitive merger agreement with special purpose acquisition company, Agrico Acquisition Corp. Kalera's current management team and interim CEO Curtis McWilliams will continue to operate the business, which is looking to further expand its network of vertical farms and currently has six facilities under construction. At the closing of the transaction, Kalera equity holders will own just over half of the issued and outstanding common stock of the combined company. The deal will result in Kalera becoming a publicly listed company on the NASDAQ stock market and delisting from Euronext Growth Oslo exchange. Brent De Jong, chairman and CEO of Agrico, said: “Kalera is already positioned as a leader in the vertical farming industry with its ten facilities operating or construction nearly complete and Vindara, its seed business dedicated to controlled environments”. “The proposed merger with Agrico positions Kalera to be the first leafy green vertical farm company to have a national footprint in the US and be able to reliably supply a national off-take contract while still being local. “The Agrico team and its scaling experience will supplement an already strong Kalera management team and board of directors." The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of this year. The deal remains subject to approval by Agrico and Kalera shareholders, as well as other customary closing conditions.

Indian dairy company Healthways Dairy & Foods has opened a new milk plant in Gorakhpur, in a move to make fresh dairy products more easily accessible to people in the region. According to the company, the launch of the Gorakhpur plant will "cut down the journey of milk and make fresh, hygienic milk and dairy products easily accessible for the people of Gorakhpur and neighbouring areas". The new facility houses technology to manufacture and pack milk among other value-added products. The plant joins Healthways' other manufacturing sites in Gulaothi and Sandilla. "Healthways' 'no compromise' philosophy reflects at every stage of its value chain, from sourcing healthy feed for healthy cattle, providing veterinary support, paying competitive prices to farmers, running beneficial schemes for their upliftment, applying cutting-edge technology to manufacture, to delivering healthy products fresh at retail outlets," said Healthways' managing director, Narendar Nagar.

SIG Combibloc has entered into an agreement to acquire packaging solutions company, Scholle IPN, for an enterprise value of €1.36 billion. US company Scholle IPN produces and distributes packaging systems and solutions for liquids, such as bag-in-box packaging and spouted pouches. The business currently has an estimated 2,100 employees globally. The deal will expand Scholle IPN's portfolio into the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa markets – where SIG has a well-established presence. The acquisition will enable SIG to build on its capabilities in aseptic technology and expand its use in both pouches and bag-in-box. The combined company will employ almost 8,000 people in 69 sales and manufacturing sites across the globe. The partnership will also strengthen the research and development capabilities of the two companies. Samuel Sigrist, CEO of SIG, said: "The acquisition of Scholle IPN cements SIG's position as a global leader in innovative and sustainable packaging for food and beverages. It is consistent with our strategy of geographic and category expansion accompanied by share gains in key markets. By delivering clear benefits for customers, consumers and the environment, we will drive value for shareholders." The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year, subject to customary closing conditions.

The Organic Snack Company has announced that its owner, Bruce Thaler, has purchased 82 acres of land in Bedford, Pennsylvania, through the development entity BT Snacks II. The food manufacturing company – which is the exclusive producer of Kate’s Real Food – intends to use the land to expand this summer. Plans include the construction of additional manufacturing and warehousing space, with a total build of up to 750,000 square feet. With the total investment expected to exceed $75 million, the project could create 500 or more jobs in the community. Mark Thaler, CEO of The Organic Snack Company, commented: “The acquisition of this land is an incredibly exciting moment in time for The Organic Snack Company and for the Bedford community. There has been an increasing demand from consumers for quality, organic snack offerings made with clean ingredients and this monumental expansion effort for our company will be key in keeping up with that demand.” The company plans to make an announcement regarding what the land will be used for in the coming months.

Austrian hydration company Waterdrop has raised €60 million in a Series B funding round led by Temasek. Waterdrop – which was founded in 2016 – claims to have created an entirely new product category with its Microdrink line. The company’s flagship innovation is a compact sugar-free cube that dissolves in water and enriches it with fruits, plants and vitamins. The cube – which weighs less than 3g and can enrich up to around 1 litre of water – results in plastic and transport-related emission (CO2) savings compared with bottled drinks. “Our approach to the water business is to develop ecological solutions to promote responsible consumption of tap water and avoid the outdated idea of having to bottle and ship unsustainable and mostly unhealthy beverages,” said Martin Murray, founder and CEO of Waterdrop. “It’s encouraging to align with one of the world’s leading investment firms on our vision for a new revolutionary era in the beverage industry.” In addition to Temasek, the round included participation from existing shareholders Bitburger Ventures and Founders Future. According to Waterdrop, the funds will support its research and development efforts, as well as the expansion of the company globally. The brand says that it reached revenue of $100 million last year. The company has also just entered the beverage tech category with the release of Lucy, a smart cap capable of filtering water through a UV-C system. Murray continued: “We are growing strongly across Europe and just entered the US mid-last year. In the next few years, we will pursue our expansion mainly in the US and then via Southeast Asia to China.”

Kellogg’s has announced the launch of new limited-edition Hazelnut Choc Flavour Coco Pops in the UK. The new cereal – which is free from artificial colours and flavours – will be available for one year only. According to Kellogg’s, the new Coco Pops variant turns milk chocolatey hazelnut-flavoured. The launch follows the release of limited-edition Strawberry & White Choc Flavour Coco Pops last year. In 2018, Kellogg’s reduced sugar in its original Coco Pops by 40% to help British consumers make healthier breakfast choices. The company claims that the new Hazelnut Choc Flavour Coco Pops contain 30% less sugar than other chocolate-flavoured toasted rice cereals. Sophie Daniels, brand manager at Kellogg’s, said: “We are so excited to bring out a new limited-edition Coco Pops flavour and we hope that kids and grown-ups alike enjoy it as much as we do”. “We know that our fans enjoy eating their Coco Pops with hazelnut milk alternatives, so we’re hoping this new Hazelnut Choc flavour is a hit.’’ Kellogg’s Hazelnut Choc Flavour Coco Pops are launching into Asda and Iceland this week before rolling out to other major supermarkets.

UK kombucha brand Hip Pop, formerly known as Booch & Brew, has launched a new range of CBD-infused flavoured kombucha drinks. The new plant-based offerings are available in three flavours – Passionfruit & Guava, Cherry & Blackberry and Blood Orange & Grapefruit. Each can is fortified with one billion live bacteria and contains 20mg of active CBD. The release will join the brand's portfolio of organic kombucha drinks, which are available in flavours such as Blueberry Ginger, Ginger Yuzu and Strawberry Pineapple. Emma Thackray, co-founder of Hip Pop, said: "Our CBD kombucha cans contain all the benefits of our original kombucha, with the added bonus of 100% plant-based CBD which is novel foods compliant and pure 100% cannabidiol. The public are becoming increasingly aware of the calming benefits of CBD, but there’s a growing body of evidence showing the wider potential for CBD including benefits to gut health and that’s why this feels like a logical next step for the brand." Hip Pop’s CBD Kombucha is available to purchase from the brand's CBD website and will also be distributed by Suma Wholefoods from April.

US natural food brand Purely Elizabeth has closed a $50 million Series B financing round, which was backed by the newly launched food and nutrition division of Seminal Capital (SEMCAP). Purely Elizabeth offers “nutrient-dense” breakfast foods that incorporate ingredients such as organic ancient grains, probiotics and MCT oil. The Series B round was co-led by SEMCAP’s brand-new food and nutrition division, and joined by co-investors Swander Pace Capital and SEMCAP partner Fresh Del Monte. Purely Elizabeth’s portfolio currently includes pancake and waffle mix, granola and oatmeal, and the company says that it plans to introduce new products as well as launch into a new category. Purely Elizabeth will use the new funds to invest in marketing and product innovation, and to support its growth in the ecommerce channel. “Since 2016, SEMCAP’s John Haugen and Ryan Newcom have served on my board and played an instrumental role in helping scale the business,” said Elizabeth Stein, Purely Elizabeth founder and CEO. “We share the same vision and values for the brand, which were our most important aspects when choosing an investment partner. We are beyond lucky.” John Haugen, managing partner at SEMCAP’s food and nutrition division, said: “Purely Elizabeth is catalysing change in the food and nutrition space and changing the way food is made through its commitment to clean, sustainable ingredients that are packed with nutrition, while simultaneously delivering great taste”. He continued: “We are thrilled to continue building on an amazing relationship that has existed for over five years”.

UK-based flavoured water company, Dash Water, has closed an investment round and appointed David Milner as its new chairman. The round brings the total raised by the brand to £7 million. Investors included ex-CEO of Tyrrells and CEO of Lily’s Kitchen, David Milner, existing backer Creator Collective Capital and David Abrahamovitch. Dash Water uses wonky fruit and vegetables that would have been wasted to naturally infuse water with flavours that are free from sugars and sweeteners. The funding round will allow Dash to invest in growth in Australia, widen its distribution channels and continue to drive its direct-to-consumer sales. The appointment of new chairman, David Milner, who is the current CEO of St. Pierre Groupe, will also support the brand's global expansion plans. Jack Scott, co-founder of Dash, commented: "Reducing food waste is regarded by experts to be the third most effective weapon we have in the fight against climate change. Most importantly, this wouldn’t be possible without our loyal customers and investors – our biggest fans and advocates. We’re stoked to be adding our new investors to the Dash family and are excited to be working alongside an industry titan like David too." The brand has also released a brand-new mango flavour, which joins its existing line-up of raspberry, lemon, blackcurrant, peach and cucumber.

Cultured meat company Upside Foods, formerly Memphis Meats, has announced its acquisition of Cultured Decadence. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Cultured Decadence is a cultivated seafood company. The start-up – which was founded in 2020 – has developed proprietary cell lines and cell feed for a variety of seafood products, including lobster and other crustaceans. The deal will expand Upside’s product portfolio and accelerate the commercialisation of a range of cultured seafood products. Cultured Decadence will remain in Wisconsin as Upside's Midwest hub, while adopting its new owner's brand. The acquisition follows the opening of Upside's Engineering, Production and Innovation Center (EPIC) in California, which Upside says will be able to produce Cultured Decadence’s product and species portfolio as well as its own. “Seafood has a rich and delicious culinary tradition that makes it a favourite across the globe. Cultivated seafood also has a tremendous potential to benefit the world," said Uma Valeti, founder and CEO of Upside Foods. "Cultured Decadence's technology is incredibly promising, and their team is filled with passionate, smart individuals who want to make our favourite food a force for good. We're thrilled to welcome the Cultured Decadence team to the Upside family and are excited that the scientific, technological and production infrastructure we have built over many years can help accelerate the mission impact of this team.” John Pattison and Ian Johnson, co-founders of Cultured Decadence, added: "We've long admired Upside's innovation and leadership in the cultivated meat industry. Upside's unparalleled R&D and scale up capabilities will significantly accelerate the commercialisation of cultivated delicious, sustainable and humane seafood.”

Alpla has announced that the first stone has been laid for a recycling plant in Mexico, that will have the capacity to process 50,000 tonnes of post-consumer PET bottles each year. More than $60 million is being invested in the plant, which will be located in Cunduacán in the state of Tabasco. The project is the result of a joint venture between Alpla and bottler Coca-Cola Femsa. The two companies are aiming to boost the circular economy in the states of south-east Mexico with the new plant. In addition, the construction and operation of Planta Nueva Ecología de Tabasco – known as PLANETA – are expected to create more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs. Alpla Mexico and Coca-Cola Femsa – along with Coca-Cola Mexico – have already been collaborating since 2005 to run Industria Mexicana de Reciclaje (IMER), which is said to be the first food-grade PET recycling plant in Latin America. Commenting on the establishment of PLANETA, Alpla managing director for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Carlos Torres Ballesteros, said: “This new recycling plant for food-grade PET will be Alpla’s third recycling plant in Mexico, which makes us a spearhead at a national level and a recycling benchmark for the rest of the world”. “As part of our commitment to sustainability, Alpla will invest more than €50 million every year between 2021 and 2025 to expand its global recycling capacity.”

The Artisan Drinks Company is launching a new range of 'perfect serve' mixer cans into Ocado along with a brand-new flavour to add to its portfolio. The 200ml cans will be available in five variants initially, including Classic London Tonic, Skinny London Tonic, Pink Citrus Tonic, Amalfi Lime Tonic and Fiery Ginger Beer. Mikey Enright, co-founder of Artisan Drinks, said: "Creating the perfect drink at home can be challenging. With mixers available in everything from 150ml cans to one-litre bottles, it’s hard to know how much you should be using". He continued: "Most 150ml cans on the market are a hangover from airline demand. By choosing to create the perfect serve measure over our own ease, our 200ml cans simplify the process for shoppers. We’ve fortunately avoided the current supply chain and production issues facing many of our industry colleagues, meaning we can supply retailers almost straight away, allowing them to quickly fulfil their customers’ needs." The brand has also released a new variation to add to its portfolio – Yuzu Tokyo Tonic – which will launch in Champers, PDN Wines, Thai Leisure Group, Amazon and The Craft Gin Club. The new 200ml cans will be launched in Ocado at the beginning of February in six-packs for an RRP of £4.50. They will also be available in 24 packs at independent retailers and Amazon.