Kopparberg aims to capitalise on increased demands for fruit ciders in the UK with a new cherry variant. Available as of February, the 4% ABV beverage is said to offer a combination of the light and fruity elements of apple cider with a sweet hint of cherry. “Fruit ciders continue to be increasingly popular in the UK, and due to increasing demand for new flavours, we are excited to be launching our new cherry flavour to the UK off-trade,” said Rob Salvesen, Kopparberg head of marketing. “Our focus on delivering a variety of much-loved crisp and refreshing flavours is what we feel sets us apart from other ciders on the market.” Kopparberg cherry will be available in 500ml bottles from Tesco on 3 February 2020, Asda on 2 March, Sainsbury’s on 8 March and Morrisons on 30 March. Last year, Kopparberg released a ready-to-drink pink gin with lemonade as well as Balans Aqua Spritz, an alcohol-infused sparkling water brand.

Häagen-Dazs is launching a limited-edition ice cream range featuring ruby chocolate to offer “an intense new taste and colour experience”. Ruby Cacao Crackle Pistachio Sweet Cream Trio Crispy Layers and Ruby Cacao Ice Cream Bars will be available in US retailers, while Häagen-Dazs shops will offer ruby cacao sundaes, dipped bars and cones. Ruby was developed by Barry Callebaut and as is described as the fourth type of chocolate after dark, milk and white. "The Häagen-Dazs brand encourages consumers to indulge in the finest, and the ruby cacao collection is an extraordinary new experience for people to try," said Rachel Jaiven, Häagen-Dazs brand manager. "The flavour is fresh, fruity and smooth with an aftertaste of berry and a hint of cacao. The brand has expertly paired ruby's unique, delicious taste profile and intriguing colour with decadent Häagen-Dazs ice cream, offering consumers a variety of ways to experience this exceptional innovation." The Häagen-Dazs ruby cacao collection is making its way to freezer aisles in the US now and will be available until September. Ruby Cacao Crackle Pistachio Sweet Cream Trio Crispy Layers will retail for $5.49 per 14oz tub and Ruby Cacao Ice Cream Bars cost $4.49 for a box of three bars. In November, Barry Callebaut was granted a temporary marketing permit by the US Food and Drug Administration, clearing the way for it to market ruby as chocolate in the US.

Asda has announced plans to trial a new sustainability store in Leeds where shoppers can refill containers of products such as coffee, rice and pasta. The retailer has collaborated with brands to work with them on their quest to reduce plastic – meaning shoppers will also be able to use refill points for Kellogg's cereals such as Coco Pops and Rice Krispies as well as Unilever’s PG Tips tea. Customers shopping at the store will be asked to give their feedback on different trials – allowing Asda and its suppliers to understand more about how the new ideas work in practice. The supermarket will also feature a range of new recycling facilities, including a reverse vending machine for plastic bottles and cans. Trials will last for at least three months as of May before a decision is made on whether to roll out, retrial or stop. “We’re on an ongoing quest to remove and reduce the amount of plastic in our business – and to find new ways to help our customers to reuse and refill our products,” said Roger Burnley, CEO of Asda. “It’s a journey we can’t go on alone, which is why we invited our suppliers to innovate with us and I’m delighted that household names like Kellogg’s and Unilever have joined us in testing new ideas and approaches to sustainability at our Middleton store. "Over the coming weeks and months, we will be testing and learning from the customers in Middleton to understand how we can reduce our environmental impacts whilst still maintaining the great service and quality our customers demand. “Our first priority will be to look at how we can reduce and remove plastic and I am excited to learn from our customers and see where this journey will take us.” Asda recently brought forward commitments to make almost a third of plastic packaging from recycled sources by the end of 2020.

PepsiCo has redesigned its Pepsi Zero Sugar soft drink can for 2020, providing the drink with a new matte black finish. The newly-designed can will feature a matte black finish and a 'distinctive' black tab, though the recipe of the drink will remain unchanged. PepsiCo claims that Pepsi Zero Sugar was one of the fastest-growing soft drinks brands in the US in 2019, and the redesigned can aims to continue this growth in 2020. As well as the redesign, Pepsi has announced a new marketing campaign to promote the Zero sugar drink, including a competition partnership with Super Bowl LIV. Called "America Wins Zero", Pepsi will reimburse the cost of a free Pepsi Zero Sugar (up to $2.50 for purchases between 2 and 4 February) if either team in Super Bowl LIV finishes the game with a score that ends in zero. Todd Kaplan, vice-president, marketing, Pepsi said: "At Pepsi, we are always looking for new ways to meet the evolving preferences of our consumers, and we know that people increasingly are looking for sugar-free options. "We've learned that once people discover the great taste of Pepsi Zero Sugar, they can't get enough of it and keep going back for more. So we are going "all in" on Pepsi Zero Sugar this year and have created a bold, unapologetic new look to match its great taste, with a new matte black can and a black tab that will stand out anywhere."

Kellogg's Pringles brand has launched a new format exclusively for vending called Pringles Minis, which is now available to vending companies in the UK. Two Pringles Minis flavours will be available initially, Original and Sour Cream & Onion, the two most popular flavours in the Pringles range. The new 30g Pringles Minis are intended for on-the-go consumption, and the products will also be launched in the European market soon. According to a statement from Kellogg, Pringles is leading the growth of its Chips & Snacks category in the UK, and the company hopes to extend this growth to the vending market with this new release. Gianna Regonini, national account manager, Pringles, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer a Pringles pack and food format suitable for vending machines, so consumers can continue to enjoy Pringles when they are out of home”. Aisling O'Hara, European marketing manager, Pringles, added: "We’re massively proud  and excited to launch Pringles Minis into the Vending channel from January 2020 across Europe at scale."

Tetra Pak has appointed Jeff Fielkow, the former vice-president of sustainability for the company's Asia Pacific unit, as the new CEO and president of its US and Canada division. Fielkow most recently held the dual positions of managing director of Tetra Pak Vietnam and vice-president of sustainability for Tetra Pak's Asia Pacific region, but will now lead the company's operations in the North American market. Fielkow first joined Tetra Pak in 2009 as the vice-president of sustainability and recycling for the US, but left the company in 2011 to serve as chief sales and marketing officer at ReCommunity Recycling. However, Fielkow then returned to Tetra Pak in 2015 to aid the company's sustainability operations in South Asia, East Asia and Oceania. Prior to joining Tetra Pak, Fielkow held a variety of leadership role including chief operating officer of Chicago-based Container Recycling, and market area vice president for Waste Management. Fielkow said in a statement: "It's an honour to have been selected to lead Tetra Pak's growing, dynamic US and Canada market. "I am excited to return to the US and begin working with our talented team to capture new growth opportunities and make a meaningful difference with our clear focus on food safety and sustainability."

Red Bull has launched a new limited-edition watermelon flavour of its original energy drink in South Australia. The Red Edition will be exclusively available in 148 OTR retail convenience stores across South Australia from 11 January 2020. One 250ml can contains 80mg of caffeine and is packed with B-group vitamins to aid with energy-yielding metabolism and the reduction of fatigue. The drink is made with sugar sourced from sugar beets and Alpine water, combined with the flavours of watermelon. With the “refreshing taste of watermelon and the wings of Red Bull”, the Red Edition aims to revitalise the body and mind. Red Bull Red Edition will be available in individual 250ml cans and will be priced the same as others in the Red Bull energy drink range at an RRP of $3.59 per can.

Tetra Pak is aiming to enhance its Smart Solutions Platform through a collaboration with Hexagon’s PPM division, the provider of engineering software for the design, construction and operation of plants. The Smart Solutions Platform is Tetra Pak's digital plant engineering solution that integrates Hexagon’s software with Tetra Pak knowledge in food production. The upgraded Plant Engineering Platform will offer virtual visualisation to improve collaboration with customers throughout the engineering process. According to Tetra Pak, it will allow the company to effectively collaborate with customers, colleagues and suppliers globally in designing a total production plant, making it possible to simulate, evaluate and select optimal solutions for customers’ needs. “With Tetra Pak's Smart Solutions Platform, it will be easier for customers to do business with us. Collaboration in virtual space will make us more agile in both the projects and the lifecycle work,” said Marie Sandin, VP projects, engineering and plant automation, Tetra Pak. “The advantage of choosing Hexagon is that we can visualise the complete offer, from an engineering tool suite to Industry 4.0 applications for future growth. And by choosing Tetra Pak, Hexagon collaborates with an important player in the food and beverage industry. The first pilot is already in development in Lund, and the global rollout will start in 2020.” Mattias Stenberg, president, Hexagon’s PPM division, added: “We look forward to collaborating with Tetra Pak, a company that shares our commitment to drive digital and sustainable end-to-end solutions for the food and beverage industry. “Its wealth of knowledge and expertise in food processing solutions together with our future-proof asset information management and engineering design technologies will certainly help customers achieve their goals.”

UK supermarket Asda has launched a range of plant-based products from ready meals to sides, in a move to provide inexpensive meat alternative options. Under its new ‘Asda Plant Based’ label, the 100% plant-based range is approved by The Vegan Society and hosts the company’s new ‘live better’ logo to signpost the healthiest choices in its range. Asda has released its range following a recent research programme, which revealed that 52% of 18-34-year olds plan to reduce their meat intake in 2020. The retailer also found that price is still the main barrier for three in ten UK households, as people believe eating plant-based meals will be more costly. In response to this issue, Asda aims to provide the most affordable on the market with products starting from just £1.50. Julie Wild, own brand strategy and governance manager at Asda, said: “The demand for plant-based products is growing at a rapid rate, but it can be challenging for customers to find diverse, high-quality, and inexpensive options on the market. “The new Asda Plant Based range with 48 new products to choose from – all approved by the vegan society – has been designed to offer something for everyone, at affordable prices. "Plus, in a first for any retailer, all trays and sleeves packaging found in the Plant Based range are 100% recyclable, making it easier for our customers to make sustainable choices." Consisting of 48 products, Asda’s new range includes several mushroom-based meat alternatives including meat-free mince, burgers, sausages and meatballs. Key products in the range include smoky tofu burrito (RRP £2.50), duckless spring rolls (RRP £2.25), dirty fries (covered in non-dairy creamy sauce and roquito chilli peppers at RRP £2.25), sweet potato katsu curry (RRP £2.50), butternut mac (RRP £2.50) and tomato and pesto flatbread (RRP £1.75). The full range is available in select Asda stores now.

Kellogg’s Pringles brand has released a new special-edition Pickle Rick flavour in the US, inspired by the TV series Rick and Morty. The launch is ahead of the 2020 Super Bowl, which the snack brand has teamed up with for the third year running to demonstrate this concept.  ‘Flavour stacking’ occurs when consumers stack different flavours of the crisp in order to create new, ‘unique’ combination flavours. Pringles will air its 30-second advert during the second quarter of the game to show this partnership and demonstrate ‘flavour stacking’. This year Pringles has partnered with the TV show Rick and Morty, paying homage to its viral hit episode “Pickle Rick”. "We want to do something completely new for the brand for the 2020 Big Game and are thrilled to be partnering with Adult Swim and Rick and Morty, a show which continues to grow in popularity year after year and enjoys a cult fan following," said Gareth Maguire, senior director of marketing for Pringles. Maguire said: "We hope the new special edition Pickle Rick flavour will be a hit with the show's fans." Earlier this year, Kellogg Company announced plans to invest €110m to build a new manufacturing line at its Pringles factory in Kutno, Poland, Pringles Pickle Rick will be available in grocery stores nationwide from 2 February.

Irish food wholesaler Musgrave has agreed to acquire Belfast-based drinks company Drink Inc for an undisclosed sum, in a move that will strengthen its market offering portfolio. The deal includes the brand and company assets of Drinks Inc. Drinks Inc will continue to trade as a stand-alone business. The acquisition is part of Musgrave’s Growing Good Business strategy to deliver long term sustainable growth and follows its £28 million investment programme that was announced earlier this year. As part of the programme the wholesaler plans to open 20 additional stores and revamp 40 existing stores in Northern Ireland. Drink Inc is an independent drink distributor in Ireland, with a portfolio of over 1,000 products in the spirits, wines, beer and soft drink categories. The company is also the exclusive agent or distributor for premium brands and wineries including BrewDog, Dingle Distillery and Isla Negra. “As one of the fastest growing drinks companies on the island of Ireland, Drinks Inc is an excellent strategic fit for Musgrave and will strengthen our existing offer to the market,” said Musgrave CEO Chris Martin. Martin added: “I look forward to Drinks Inc joining our expanding portfolio of successful brands and to supporting the business to bring it to the next level of growth.” As part of the agreement, Kevin O’Leary has been appointed as the new business director of Drinks Inc. Paul Camplisson, owner of Drinks Inc, will remain on a consultancy basis and will work closely with Kevin to grow the business. Paul Camplisson, owner of Drinks Inc said: “Becoming part of Musgrave is a fantastic opportunity for the Drinks Inc business. “In a relatively short period of time, we have firmly established ourselves as one of the largest independent drinks distributors in the market. Musgrave will enable us to provide an enhanced service to our customers and their track record of growing successful customer-focussed businesses makes this the right move for Drinks Inc.”

A Queen’s University Belfast researcher has developed a low-cost technique to convert leftover barley from alcohol breweries into carbon, which could be used as a renewable fuel for homes. According to the university, breweries in the European Union throw out around 3.4 million tons of unspent grain every year. Using just 1kg of the grain, Dr Ahmed Osman from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has been able to create enough activated carbon to spread across 100 football pitches. “There are only a few steps in our low-cost and novel approach – drying the grain out and a two-stage chemical and heat treatment using phosphoric acid and then a potassium hydroxide wash, both of which are very low-cost chemical solutions. This then leaves us with activated carbon and carbon nanotubes – high-value materials which are very much in demand,” said Osman. “Liquid forms of carbon are normally shipped to the UK from the Middle East, and solid biocarbon, in the form of wood pellets is shipped from the US and elsewhere. Using this new technique, we can utilise more locally produced resources, reduce emissions linked with the agriculture sector, and we are also creating a high-value product. “Across the globe, there is a real demand for carbon as it is used to create fuel for households, parts for water filters and charcoal for barbecues. If we are able to take something that would otherwise be a waste and turn it into a useful biofuel, it can only be a good thing for our planet. It could really help to solve global waste and energy problems.” Dr Osman added: “The synthesis of value-added products from barley waste is a prime example of the circular economy, by taking a waste food by-products and creating a high-value product. It has benefits to the environment and society through economic and social opportunities.” Dr Osman is hoping to explore opportunities for the commercialisation of the method in creating activated carbon and carbon nanotubes.