Process industries

Health-conscious Gen Z customers are driving a new generation of consumers to adopt functional drinks, according to new grocery data. Ocado Retail’s latest data shows a 54 per cent year-on-year increase in health drinks sales*, spanning everything from kombucha to prebiotic sodas. Two in five (40 per cent) of the general population now buy functional…

KM Packaging’s K-Peel 4G, new mono PET lidding film boasts a low seal initiation point and is capable of sealing through contamination. Clean peels are achievable from as little as 110°C and 0.3 seconds dwell time. This low seal initiation point also means it’s compatible with all PET trays and provides a clean, strong, peels…

Nothum Food Processing Systems, a Fortifi firm, is embarking on a new phase of leadership after more than 50 years of spearheading innovation in food processing. Robert Nothum, a long-time president and CEO, will be replaced by Philip Hurwitz, a former director of sales. Hurwitz will answer to Josh Stiever, president of Fortifi Group, protein…

Heriot-Watt’s globally renowned centre of expertise in brewing and distilling is about to undergo a 21st century metamorphosis to guarantee a sustainable and prosperous future for both industries. The university is seeking to raise £35 million to build a new Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling (CSBD), which will embrace the latest green technologies and…

INX International has added a valuable new universal lamination system to its sustainable inks portfolio. Introduced at FORUM INFOFLEX earlier this month, Innova Plus NCF nitrocellulose-free flexographic inks deliver the same trusted performance across all flexible packaging solutions as Innova Plus does but without the nitrocellulose, making it ideal for recycling purposes. Developed for adhesive lamination, Innova Plus…

Kingfisher Drinks has announced a new flavour for its Peacock Cider brand with Passion Fruit & Guava. Available to grocery and convenience channels from June onwards, the new cider comes in a 500ml bottle with an RRP of £2.70 each as Peacock aims to respond to the rising demand for tropical flavours. The new Passion…

Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs for short, should be treated with greater discrimination, according to nutrition experts as protein-rich plant-based diets are frequently categorised as ultra-processed and unhealthy. An overview of UPFs and their function in contemporary nutrition, particularly in the choice of plant-based foods, is provided in a recent whitepaper published by Planteneers. The paper…

Markem-Imaje is releasing the MB2253, a new black MEK ink designed especially for the beverage industry. According to Markem-Imaje, this cutting-edge product complies with the strictest industry standards, guaranteeing consumer and producer safety and compliance. Designed for versatility, MB2253 excels in marking a wide variety of beverage substrates, including plastics, metals, glass, and returnable glass…

Avantium has inked a conditional offtake agreement with Hoogesteger, one of the top manufacturers of fresh cold-pressed juices in the Netherlands. Hoogesteger will buy the recyclable, 100% plant-based polymer PEF (polyetehylene furanoate) from Avantium’s FDCA Flagship Plant for for its fresh juices created from ultra-fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Avantium’s PEF, branded as releaf, is…