Process industries

A significant hurdle in transitioning packaging lines to mono-material solutions has been addressed as Constantia Flexibles and thermal technology specialist watttron unveil a new sealing approach. The partners have successfully developed a single system capable of reliably sealing both polypropylene (PP) and aluminium lids onto PP cups, streamlining operations while supporting sustainability goals. The initiative…

UK consumers are still spending on meals that deliver value and experience, despite inflationary pressures and reduced dining frequency. According to new research from AHDB, the out-of-home food market reached £49.9 billion in the past year (Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 52 w/e 7 September 2025), driven by a 5.8% rise in average price paid —…

Country Lane Foods, a family-run staple of the UK egg industry, has completed a transformative investment in a state-of-the-art egg grading machine, a move that secures its future in Cornwall while positioning it for national growth. The project, which was funded in part by a £200,000 grant from Cornwall Council’s Growth Hub Grants Programme (part…

 On 29–30 October 2025, the heart of dairy innovation beats at NAEC Stoneleigh, where the Dairy Industries Expo meets the industry’s answer to a long-standing call for a dedicated event that spans the entire dairy processing chain. Meet the makers, movers, and machinesFrom the first splash of raw milk to the final packaged product, Dairy…

A major obstacle to plastic packaging circularity — making post-consumer polystyrene (PS) safe for food contact — has been overcome with Coexpan and Eslava jointly pioneering mechanical recycling technology to produce food-grade recycled PS (rPS). The collaborative project, now in advanced validation stages, provides a crucial solution for the dairy sector and other food producers…

delfort, a manufacturer of specialty papers, and Rieusset, a packaging specialist and member of the Gerosa Group, have jointly developed a new paper-based packaging solution for ice cream. Ice lollies packaged in delfort’s thinbarrier 201 were first launched in Germany and are now rolling out to stores across Europe. thinbarrier 201 provides effective protection against…

Jameson Irish Whiskey is making a strategic re-entry into the ready-to-drink (RTD) market, bringing back its popular Jameson, Ginger Ale & Lime cans. This time, however, the brand is scaling up, rolling out the fan-favourite mixed drink in a larger 330ml format, replacing the previous 250ml size. The move, driven by parent company Pernod Ricard,…

The rising popularity of sourdough, boule breads and half loaves in the UK and Ireland has brought new challenges for bakeries. The round shape, thick crust and soft interior of these breads make them difficult to slice consistently at scale. European Process Plant Ltd (EPP) is introducing the Brevetti Gasparin Boule Bread Slicing Machine, a…

One of the biggest trends to hit the fruit and veg aisle – the Crossbreed fruit – is now available to food and drink manufacturers in the form of natural flavours, created by flavour house I.T.S. Tapping into consumer curiosity about trying something new along with the trend for exciting twists on everyday favourites, crossbreed…

New Wave Biotech has partnered with CPI, the UK’s national translational research and innovation organisation, to apply hybrid AI-powered downstream processes simulation to one of industrial biotech’s most persistent bottlenecks: lipid extraction. The project will also extend to intracellular bioprocesses, exploring how digital-first methods can improve scalability across multiple applications. Demand for lipid-based ingredients is…