Rémy spent 10 years with the Carlsberg group, working across numerous sales roles before being appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kronenbourg SAS, France’s leading brewer and subsidiary of the Carlsberg Group. With his team, he successfully led the company’s turnaround, accelerated the premium development of the brand portfolio, the widespread success of alcohol- free beers, including the launch of Tourtel Twist, and also initiated a real agroecological transition through the launch of the first responsible barley sector, for the 1664 brand.

Before this he acted as Chief Sales Officer for Carlsberg Group globally working across over 80 markets to transform sales and revenue growth, especially in China and Western Europe. Prior to joining the Carlsberg Group, he spent 19 years with the Colgate Palmolive Group in various sales and marketing roles.

Der Beitrag Britvic plc appoints Rémy Sharps as the Managing Director of Britvic Teisseire International erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

The position of treasurer has also been handed over. Thomas Brandstaetter, current Managing Director of the company Zipperle and representative of the Italian Fruit Juice Association has taken over from Thomas Mertens from the German Fruit Juice Association.

Der Beitrag Change governance: Javier Lorenzo Benavides is the new President of the AIJN erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Arroyo is responsible for global category teams; Integrated Marketing Experience, including media, digital marketing, design, marketing assets, human insights and marketing performance; marketing operations and capabilities; and the marketing transformation office.

Der Beitrag The Coca-Cola Company elects new Corporate Officer erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Innovation is the lifeblood of FRUIT LOGISTICA whose motto this year is “The heartbeat of the Fresh Produce Business”. From 7 to 9 February 2024, the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business returns to Berlin with a brand new lineup of young startup companies, each one ready to enrich the industry with their groundbreaking new ideas.

Under the slogan ’Disrupt Agriculture’, the FRUIT LOGISTICA Startup Day takes place in Hall 5.1 on 9 February 2024. 20 startups will showcase their trailblazing products and solutions. Robots that monitor plant health; labels that automatically change colour with the temperature; AI-based irrigation systems that know how thirsty plants are. Just three examples of how those startups plan to harness new technologies and improve the business.

There are innovations aplenty elsewhere at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2024, and these include several world premieres, many of which are already present on its dedicated Spotlight page. This year’s innovations include packaging and labels with a reduced plastic content that can be easily recycled or are even biodegradable. AI-based technologies are being used in agricultural and sorting machines. New fruit varieties not only appeal to consumers’ tastes; they also make work easier for producers, as they are resistant to common plant diseases, for example.

To learn more about the event’s more than 2,600 exhibitors from 90 countries, as well as its extensive programme which offers expert knowledge on five stages, trade visitors can use FRUIT LOGISTICA Online, the exhibitor and event database.

There are new ways to attend FRUIT LOGISTICA 2024. Trade visitors can upgrade their ticket with a Gold Upgrade and enjoy access to a special lounge and post-show refreshments. And a new Friday Ticket grants access to the final day of the show at a reduced rate. The FRUIT LOGISTICA 2024 ticket shop is now open.

Der Beitrag Feel the heartbeat of innovation at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2024 erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

In a milestone year for benchmarking organised event success, Fi Europe 2023 has shown that there is more demand than ever for a dynamic platform uniting the international ingredients industry. This year’s event, which attracted 23,149 attendees from 135 countries around the globe, was a resounding success, reaffirming its positive contribution to F&B industry innovation, collaboration and dialogue.

The build-up started on 20 November, when the event platform went live, enabling attendees to access exclusive content previews, coordinate meetings and stream a live keynote session. Then, on 27 November, the Future of Nutrition Summit kicked off a carefully curated in-person content programme designed to inspire and inform whilst facilitating networking and discussion. Speakers from Nestlé, Microsoft, Deloitte and the United Nations Global Compact gave their takes on the trends and technologies reshaping the food industry landscape.

On 28 November, Fi Europe opened its doors to reveal a vibrant show floor that was to become a hive of networking activity for the next three days. Over 1400 exhibition stands occupied four halls packed with ingredients and solutions from all over the world, providing a sensory spectacle and a wealth of sourcing opportunities. Many attendees also took advantage of the additional inspiration offered by the Innovation Tours, New Product Zone and Innovation Hub.

The first day culminated with the announcement of the Fi Europe Innovation Awards and Startup Innovation Challenge winners. Honoured at a special ceremony, the recipients were chosen by an expert judging panel for their outstanding contributions to the F&B ingredients industry.

The two-day Fi Europe Conference, which ran in parallel to the exhibition, provided a further forum for exchanges on the latest advancements and future trends in the F&B industry. The agenda revolved around four topical themes: plant-based, health & wellbeing, alternative ingredients & protein, and reformulation & ingredient innovation. Speakers from a broad cross-section of commercial, academic and research organisations, including Mintel, Euromonitor, NIZO, Wageningen University, Rabobank and Cultivated Biosciences, made for a varied and insightful programme.

Sustainability as an industry challenge was a thematic thread throughout this year’s event, with dedicated features such as the Sustainability Hub and content that focused on ethical sourcing, transparency, regulatory compliance, ESG and gender equity, creating a forum for constructive discussions in this important area.

The industry’s challenge of cultivating a strong pipeline of emerging talent was addressed at Fi Europe 2023 through the introduction of a new programme designed to facilitate connections between students and businesses. The Future Food Leaders Day, which took place on 30 November, gave university students valuable insight into the potential trajectory of a career in the F&B industry.

Yannick Verry, Brand Manager, Food ingredients Europe & Americas, at Informa Markets, says: “For me, feeling the buzz of this year’s show reinforced the important role that Fi Europe fulfils for the global food & beverage community. Not only does it provide a forum for making meaningful connections and discovering new ingredients and technologies, it also makes an important contribution to advancing discussions and thinking around innovation, sustainability and the future of the industry. We are already looking forward to 2024, when Fi Europe will return to Frankfurt, from 19-21 November.”

Der Beitrag Fi Europe 2023: Setting new milestones as the global F&B industry reunites in Frankfurt erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Stephan Büttner has already held various management roles as part of the AGRANA organisation since 2012 and has played a decisive role in its success to date. As CFO on the Management Board, he is currently responsible for the areas of Finance, Equity Investment Management, Legal Affairs, Compliance, Procurement, IT, Organisation and Investor Relations as well as for the Fruit Division. As the new CEO, he will also be taking on responsibility for the areas of Strategy and Business Policy, Sales Coordination, Public Relations, Human Resources and Corporate Secretariat.

After graduating in commercial sciences from the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Stephan Büttner initially worked at KPMG AUSTRIA GmbH. After moving on to Raiffeisen Ware Austria AG in 2001, he worked as CEO at its subsidiary Ybbstaler Fruit Austria GmbH from 2004. He has worked for the AGRANA Group since 2012. As CEO of AUSTRIA JUICE GmbH, a joint venture of AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG and Raiffeisen Ware Austria-AG, he successfully managed the merger of AGRANA Juice GmbH and Ybbstaler Fruit Austria GmbH. In 2014, he became CFO of AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG and has also been CEO of AGRANA Fruit since May 2021.

Der Beitrag Stephan Büttner new CEO of AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Well-frequented halls and intensive, high-quality discussions were the major take-aways for many exhibitors: key topics included energy saving in the manufacturing process, new filling systems and optimising efficiency through increased automation. Furthermore, exhibitors delivered answers to the requirements of European packaging legislation and showed awareness of the need to consistently align manufacturing processes with sustainability criteria.

Excellent response to the supporting programme

The supporting programme also provided a strong impetus for the entire industry: THE LOGISTIK LOUNGE, for example, demonstrated numerous reusability solutions and made positive suggestions for the future direction of the logistics chain during its discussion forums. This offering in particular was perceived as an important addition to the overall BrauBeviale programme.

The Young Talents Camp got off to an equally promising start: The new networking lounge concept aimed at attracting young Gen Z talent to all areas and levels of the beverage industry was a complete success. “We had excellent responses to this offer. I can already say that we will be stepping up our activities in this interdisciplinary area for the benefit of the whole industry,” says Executive Director Andrea Kalrait.

With the special “Grape processing and Cellar Management”, area BrauBeviale 2023 broke new ground. Exhibitors there were able to present their products specifically for the wine industry. It was a new platform in which winegrowers could learn about solutions for their own specific businesses. The additional benefit for this group of visitors was that bottling technology and packaging as well as solutions for product equipment could simply be ‘taken away’ following a visit to the trade fair in the nine BrauBeviale halls.

Expert meetings and presentations covering a wide range of topics

The well-proven and broad-based programme of the BrauBeviale Forum once again presented a wide range of ideas, ranging from securing raw materials in the face of climate change, to best practice examples from marketing. On the last day of the show the ExportForum German Beverages supplied valuable ideas for sales development of German beverages in attractive international markets. What influence do today’s multiple challenges and changes have on the food and beverage industry? This question was addressed in an introductory presentation by specialists from the food and beverage sector.

High level of interest from an international audience

BrauBeviale 2023 once more positioned itself strongly as a platform for the industry – predominantly in other European countries. Around 45 per cent of exhibitors came from abroad. The show’s potential has also been recognised by representatives of other nations. During the visit by the Italian Consul General Sergio Maffettone and the American Consul General Timothy Liston, the BrauBeviale team was able to document the consistent development of the trade fair into an international meeting place. The visit of the Italian Consul General was particularly focussed on the Italian exhibitors, who made up the second largest group of exhibitors after the German exhibitors. The American Consul General informed himself about suppliers with innovative solutions as well as some suppliers with complete offers for brewery operations. In addition, by visiting the Young Talents Camp, he focussed his attention on the topic of recruiting young talent – one of the most pressing tasks for the industry in the near future.

The show organiser YONTEX considers this high level of interest, which also comes from official representatives of some major market players in the beverage sector, as confirmation that the company is on course to further develop the specialisation of its product portfolio for the brewing and beverage industry.

Der Beitrag Pure emotion! Positive feedback and intensive dialogue erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

After finishing his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in general management at what is now the Zeppelin University in Friedrichshafen, Wetzel gained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from FOM International University for economy and management. His studies complete, he then started his career at Coca-Cola where he remained for over three years, amassing extensive experience in the beverage industry.

Prior to his starting in his new post, Wetzel held a number of managerial positions for the Dortmund systems provider over a period of ten years, first as head of RC Service Sales Support, then as executive vice-president of Corporate Controlling and finally as head of the Service Division until his departure. Between April 2015 and August 2019 he also assumed the management of the production site in Hamburg, then active under the name of KHS Corpoplast GmbH (now KHS GmbH). Before his time with the turnkey supplier, the graduate business economist spent around ten years in various functions at and companies of Mannesmannröhren-Werke – and has thus been working for Salzgitter AG, to which both companies belong, for over 20 years.

Der Beitrag Return to KHS: Tobias Wetzel named as new managerial head of Sales and Service erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

David Hearn is a highly experienced Chair both of listed companies and privately owned businesses.  He currently serves as Chair of Safestore Holdings plc and is also Chair of The a2 Milk Company, a company listed on the New Zealand and Australian Stock Exchanges, a position he will step down from on 16 November 2023.  He is a non-executive director of Lovat Partners Ltd.

In a career spanning more than 40 years, David has held senior roles in a number of global businesses, including in the food and beverage industry with Del Monte, PepsiCo and United Biscuits.  David served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goodman Fielder, a listed Australian food business, from 1995 to 2001 and also as CEO of Cordiant Group plc in the US from 2001 to 2003.  In 2005, he was appointed CEO of Committed Capital, an international private equity and advisory firm based in London and Sydney, for whom he acted as Chair of a wide range of portfolio businesses over a twelve-year period.

David Hearn will succeed Warren Tucker who has been Interim Chair since 1 September 2023. Warren will continue to serve as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee after he steps down as Interim Chair.

Paul Forman, Senior Independent Director, who led the search for the new Chair, will retire from the Board on 31 December 2023 and, as previously announced, Kim Nelson will take up the position of Senior Independent Director of Tate & Lyle from 1 January 2024.

Der Beitrag Tate & Lyle announces directorate change erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Daemmon’s retirement comes after 32 years with Treatt, the last 11 years as CEO. He has agreed with the Board that he will step down from his role on 31 December 2023 and will step down immediately from Treatt’s Nomination Committee.

The Board regularly reviews succession planning and has begun the process to appoint a new CEO.

Until a new CEO is appointed, Ryan Govender, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will be appointed as Interim CEO from 1 January 2024. Building on his international and diverse experience from his previous roles, most recently within Associated British Foods, Ryan has a strong understanding of the business and has played a key role as part of the Treatt team in formulating an ambitious strategy for the future of the business.

Der Beitrag Treatt’s CEO Daemmon Reeves to retire erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

The EU is set to move towards a circular economy for beverage packaging. In just a couple of weeks, Members of the Environment Committee in the European Parliament will vote on their amendments to the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). In parallel, EU Member States are working towards adopting their position on this file by the end of the year. Among the key areas of attention in the PPWR is reuse and refill. It is absolutely critical that MEPs and Member States support sound measures that ensure that recycling, reuse and refill are complementary solutions, and reject proposals to increase the reuse and refill targets without further assessment of their environmental, economic and social impacts.

The EU is taking a leadership role in driving circularity and the PPWR is among the most ambitious EU policies in this regard. The European soft drinks sector, represented by UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, supports the goals to better reduce, collect, recycle and reuse beverage packaging. We have already shown that we take bold voluntary actions to contribute to accelerating the green transition in Europe through our commitment to making our soft drinks packaging fully circular by 2030.

Our sector also supports reuse and refill systems as part of the solution to reduce packaging and packaging waste. We are already investing in these systems as a complementary action to our ongoing efforts to reduce and recycle our packaging.

It is fundamental that recycling and reusable systems are complementary solutions and MEPs and Member States should enshrine this in the PPWR. How?

Key ask 1 – Do not increase the reuse and refill targets (Art. 26) without further impact assessment

The European Commission’s impact assessment has been heavily criticised by many stakeholders, including our sector, over the last 9 months. The lack of a proper environmental and economic assessment of the implications of the reuse and refill targets proposed by the European Commission in the PPWR is worrying as legislation should always be developed on the basis of clear and granular data on the costs and benefits of the measures being proposed. So, first things first: the only way to assess the real impact of scaling up reusable systems across the EU is to thoroughly analyse the costs and benefits of setting up these systems in different Member States, different sectors and different distribution channels. As an example, the shift to 10% refillable PET as of 2030 in the EU is estimated to cost more than €16 billion, according to a PwC study.

It is very concerning to see proposals for increased reuse and refill targets for 2030 and 2040 that are not based on any further impact assessment that justifies them. Why forcing beverage manufacturers, of which a majority are SMEs, to make huge investments in reuse and refill systems in geographies or channels where existing well-functioning single-use systems make more sense from an environmental and economic perspective?

In our view, the proposed targets are already extremely challenging and therefore the focus now has to be on providing manufacturers with the necessary enablers and the flexibility to invest in the best packaging mix.

Key ask 2 – Maintain systems enabling refill in the reuse and refill targets (Art. 26)

We are all familiar with the traditional returnable refillable bottle, whereby the consumer buys a beverage bottle in a store and brings it back to the retailer for it to be refilled. This is not, however, the only system to reuse and refill – and it is not always the best solution from an environmental perspective. Asking beverage manufacturers to focus all their investment and innovation only in reuse on traditional returnable refillable bottles takes no account of consumer patterns of shopping and consuming beverages, and stifles the innovative solutions that open up possibilities to match consumers to more sustainable purchasing habits.

Today, there are several innovative reusable solutions that are convenient for consumers, are responding to new consumption habits and are helping reduce packaging as they use little to no packaging, such as home soda dispensers and refill stations in stores and horeca. Why, then, aren’t these at-home and on-the-go solutions, which are recognised by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation as reuse models, counting towards the achievement of the reuse and refill targets? It makes all sense to consider them for the attainment of the reuse and refill targets. The PPWR should secure a future for these innovative refill solutions and the EU co-legislators should therefore support a broad definition of reuse and refill that includes the whole spectrum of available reusable and refill models.

Key ask 3 – Create well-designed exemptions to ensure reusable packaging is only used where and when it makes the most sense

It is essential to make sure that reusable packaging is only introduced where it makes sense from an environmental, economic and consumer perspective. To enable it, the PPWR should provide a form of exemption if certain environmental criteria are met in order to avoid unintended adverse effects of the reuse and refill targets.

Some amendments tabled in the different European Parliament’s committees involved on this file can serve as a positive source of inspiration as they recognise the role of existing well-functioning circular systems. For example, many countries are investing in achieving 90% collection of PET bottles and aluminium cans through the introduction of Deposit and Return Systems (DRS). Let’s encourage these investments!

Now is the moment for the European Parliament and EU Member States to make the PPWR more supportive and more realistic. Our sector will remain constructive and engaged with all stakeholders to help create a stable and enabling policy environment.

Der Beitrag How the European Parliament and the Council can develop rules for a more pragmatic and realistic introduction of reuse erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Protein powders comprise 46 % of the entire sports nutrition market¹, and Arla Foods Ingredients research shows that they appeal to the full spectrum of health-conscious shoppers. Over 20 % of consumers in both the ‘Active Nutrition’ and ‘Lifestyle Nutrition’ categories (who do not prioritise exercise as highly as ‘Performance Nutrition’ consumers) still consume powdered drinks at least once a week.²

As part of its ‘Go Clear’ campaign at SupplySide West (23^rd to 27^th October in Las Vegas), the nutrition leader will showcase three new clear whey powder concepts. Flavored to appeal to US markets in particular, each demonstrates how the right whey ingredient can meet the specific needs of consumers in a particular segment:

• Go Premium: This clear shake targets performance nutrition consumers seeking out next-generation products. It is based on Lacprodan^® BLG-100 – a pure beta-lactoglobulin. Packed with nutritional power and 45 % higher in leucine than other whey proteins, it is ideal for boosting muscle protein synthesis post-workout.
• Go Natural: Made with Lacprodan^® ISO.WaterShake (100 % whey protein isolate), this fruit-infused water shake creates new opportunities for flavoured waters. Its delicate flavours and clean texture are ideal for active nutrition consumers who want natural products that support healthy lifestyles with no compromise on taste.
• Go Fresh: This thirst-quenching shake is made with Lacprodan^® ClearShake (100 % whey protein isolate). Its refreshing lemonade taste makes it ideal for lifestyle nutrition consumers who aren’t specifically looking for a post-workout solution, but still want the benefits of whey.

Troels Nørgaard Laursen, Director for Health and Performance at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Today’s sports nutrition market is hugely diverse. While shakes are popular across the board, every consumer group has its own preferences – from the hardcore enthusiasts looking for premium ingredients and functionality, to “healthy lifestyle” consumers who prioritise taste and naturality. Fortunately our range of high-quality whey ingredients is wide enough to meet every need, so no matter which segment brands are targeting, there’s a perfect ready-to-mix solution.”

Other concepts on show at the company’s booth (#6549) will include a protein cold brew, and a tea latte RTD, both featuring Lacprodan MicelPure®. Containing 86 % native protein and naturally high in calcium, this micellar casein isolate was recently certified by the Non-GMO Project, offering another advantage to North American brands.

¹Euromonitor International, 2023
²HealthFocus^® International Trend Study, 2022

Der Beitrag Arla Foods Ingredients showcases new whey concepts for sports nutrition erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Sweet treats are on offer at the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) stand: Arenga palm sugar and coconut blossom sugar from Indonesia and Sri Lanka as well as date syrup and sugar from Jordan and Tunisia. At Anuga, which takes place from 7 to 11 October in Cologne, Germany, IPD will also present a wide variety of dried fruits, purees and fruit chunks. Producers from Egypt, Tunisia, Colombia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan will bring this fruity sweetness to Cologne. All in all, the import promotion initiative, a project of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is presenting over 40 companies from 13 developing and emerging countries at Anuga in Hall 4.1, booth C91. The screened producers have a very diverse range of natural ingredients in their luggage.

Sugar from flower nectar of the coconut and Arenga palm tree

An exclusive sweetness is extracted from flower nectar of the coconut palm and the Arenga palm, which is processed into sugar without the addition of additives. Both types of sugar have a malty, caramel-like aroma and are less sweet than household sugar. The producers from Sri Lanka and Indonesia offer their sugar varieties in organic quality. Moreover, the products are HACCP and ISO 22000 certified. Besides granulated sugar, the companies also have syrup and block sugar in their product range. Exhibitors from Tunisia and Jordan process dates into syrup and sugar. The sweeteners have significantly fewer calories than household sugar. Syrup and sugar consist mainly of fructose and retain the typical date flavour. The producers also offer a wide range of date products – such as date coffee and date ketchup! The companies are HACCP, ISO or FSCC 22000 certified.

Sweetness from special fruit variations

A wide range of processed fruits will be presented by the IPD companies at Anuga this year. Freeze-dried strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants come from Uzbekistan. An Egyptian company is using the freeze-drying process for strawberries, mangoes, citrus fruits and pineapples. Dried mangoes and pineapples come from Ghana. Tunisian producers offer dates and various types of figs. An IPD company from Sri Lanka provides special sweetness: it produces dried jackfruit. And a Colombian company presents juicy pieces of mangoes, papaya, pineapple, bananas and passion fruit and frozen fruit purees.

In addition, the IPD will be presenting carefully selected suppliers of these products at Anuga Cologne in Hall 4.1, booth C91: Spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, chili or vanilla beans, as well as a wide variety of nuts, oil seeds or oils such as argan, avocado or coconut oil.

Der Beitrag Anuga 2023: Get to know natural sugar alternatives erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Informa Markets is delighted to announce that Fi Asia is back in Bangkok, Thailand, for 2023. The leading trade show in the ASEAN food and beverage industry, with more than 21,000 expected visitors and over 600 exhibitors will convene to do business, discover innovations, spark new ideas, gain valuable insights on key topics, and experience the energy of invention and profitable connection. This truly global event brings together tastemakers from the Asian and global industries to make it a uniquely inclusive occasion.

Fi Asia is the must-attend event: Delegates can enjoy a wide range of seminars, innovation tours, dedicated zones and other onsite features that offer unrivalled opportunities to gain industry insights and knowledge, meet disruptive startups and stay current with new innovations. Particularly popular is the Startup competition, which gives founders or small enterprises the opportunity to reach a broad specialist audience and pitch their latest innovative products. With so much going on, it comes as no surprise that 97 % of the floorplan is already sold out with only a few exhibitor stands still available.

A booming business region, the plant-based food sector in Thailand is expected to reach a value of $1.5 million by 2024, with notable growth being seen in meat substitutes and the alternative milk market. Similarly, the cocoa, coffee, and spice sectors are all demonstrating upward trends in terms of both volume and revenue. To complement this multifaceted business growth, the Fi Asia Thailand conference programme has been compiled to reflect these key themes. Topics for discussion include local indigenous and insect-based ingredients, ASEAN F&B regulations, cocoa, coffee and spice market opportunities, and an update on the palm oil industry, to name a few.

Not to be missed is the expert-led content programme that tackles the sector’s hottest trends, and the Sensory Box experience that comprises technical product presentations and taste testing. Beyond the potential to network with industry leaders and experts, other show highlights include connecting with prospective business partners from ASEAN and around the world, the chance to gain rapid access to a burgeoning market and thought leadership about trending topics and market insights.

Julien Bonvallet, Group Brand Director, Food ingredients Global, commented: “We’re excited to be back in Bangkok and connecting with the industry in one of the largest F&B markets in the world. With lots of opportunities to network and build partnerships, this is going to be an invaluable in-person event for everyone involved.”

“At Fi Asia Thailand,” he continued, “we’re bringing the entire F&B supply chain together under one roof and providing access to local and global exhibitors from every segment of the industry. We also have specialised pavilions for beverage, health and natural ingredients, as well as for new exhibitors and startups.”

For more information on the show, please visit: www.figlobal.com/asia-thailand

Der Beitrag Connect with the entire ASEAN Food and Beverage industry at Fi Asia 2023 erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Food & beverage professionals are invited to step inside a microcosm of the ingredients world at this year’s Fi Europe. With 135 countries represented, over 25,000 visitors and 1,200 exhibitors are expected to come together under one roof, resulting in a rich, immersive opportunity to experience the energy of invention and profitable connection.

This year’s event blends real-world and digital interactions through the Fi Europe Event Platform, which will be open online pre- and post-show, extending the possibilities for exhibitors and visitors to discover new business opportunities, connect with the right people and be inspired by the latest industry trends and innovations. It also allows attendees to maximise their time in Frankfurt and prepare for the on-site event by planning a personalised agenda, bookmarking sessions they want to attend and reaching out to suppliers to set up meetings.

Fi Europe’s winning formula combines a bustling show floor with an insightful conference line-up. In the exhibition hall, attendees can access an unrivalled breadth of products spanning the entire food & beverage supply chain. The global exhibitor base includes many high-profile names such as Cargill, ABF Ingredients, Prinova, Brenntag and Lesaffre.

The Fi Europe Conference (28-29 November) and Future of Nutrition Summit (27 November) will provide exclusive, paid-for content that cannot be accessed elsewhere. It is focused on addressing current challenges and identifying immediate opportunities in the F&B industry. Its stellar speaker line-up includes Kalina Doykova, Senior Research Analyst at Euromonitor International, and Cyrille Filott, Global Strategist at Rabobank.

The Future of Nutrition Summit offers a deep dive into disruptive technologies and solutions that have the potential to reshape the industry. Delegates will hear from presenters such as Floor Buitelaar, Managing Partner at Bright Green Partners; Mario Ubiali, Founder & CEO of Thimus; and Christine Gould, Founder & CEO of Thought For Food. Free-to-attend content will be offered at the Innovation Hub and Sustainability Hub.

The growing importance of sustainability as an industry challenge will be reflected in the event highlighting issues such as sustainable sourcing, labels and transparency, regulatory compliance, ESG, gender equity, and more. As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Informa has recently partnered with the international civil society organisation Solidaridad. Through the Sustainability Hub, visitors can find out how Solidaridad’s work in creating sustainable supply chains globally can help with ethical and sustainable ingredient sourcing.

In addition to the numerous informal and impromptu interactions that an industry gathering on this scale provides, there will be several organised networking opportunities. Data-driven matchmaking offers a scientific approach to making connections, and female professionals can look forward to inspiring others and being inspired at the popular Women’s Networking Breakfast.

As well as encouraging diversity in all forms, Fi Europe champions innovation and excellence through its award programmes. The Fi Innovation Awards celebrate individuals and businesses breaking new ground and making a difference in the industry. They culminate in an evening awards ceremony held on Tuesday, 28 November. The Startup Innovation Challenge offers a springboard for young companies with disruptive potential. Attendees can watch these startups pitch their concepts to a panel of investors, accelerators and influential industry players at the Innovation Hub on 28 November.

Der Beitrag Step into a world of ingredients at Fi Europe 2023 erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

The new challenges in the apple industry will headline the Interpoma 2024, the only trade fair in the entire world specialised in apples. The trade fair will run between 21 and 23 November 2024 at the Fiera Bolzano.

During the hiatus between the South Tyrolean trade fair, which takes place every two years – the last edition was held in November 2022 – apple enthusiasts can look forward to Prognosfruit 2023, the yearly, itinerant trade fair during which WAPA, the World Apple and Pear Association, publishes a report containing forecasts on the upcoming European apple harvest. Due to WAPA’s choice of location, this year’s Interpoma supported and promoted Prognosfruit as the event’s Technical Sponsor. This meant that every fairgoer received the second edition of Interpoma’s official magazine, the Ipoma Magazine, printed on 100 % apple paper and bursting with news on the industry. Gerhard Dichgans coordinates the magazine, which goes into detail across numerous topics. The second edition focused on topics such as “Rise and Fall of a Superstar: Why the Red Delicious has gone downhill”, “Precision agriculture and AI predictions in orchards”, “Love and Craft: How Japan raised the apple to the status of cultural asset”, “Juicy Dividends in Normandy: How apples not suited for raw consumption are transformed into cider and Calvados”.

The Prognosfruit 2023 was held in Trentino (Italy) and revealed that forecast European production will reach 11,411,000 tons, a 3.3 % drop compared to last year. The country dragging production down is Poland, the largest European apple producer overall, with a – 11.1 % drop YOY. If we turn to Italy, production levels are strong yet stable, helping it maintain its second position in Europe with an estimated 2,104,000 tons. If we dig deeper, South Tyrolean and Trentino production are on the rise, respectively at + 7 % and + 4 %. Moving to upcoming trends, France and Spain have proved to be quite lively markets: Forecasts for France speak of a harvest equaling 1,501,000 tons, + 7.9 % YOY on growth and + 9.5 % compared to the average of the last three years. Spain performs even better with its 536.000 tons, representing an astounding + 30.1 % YOY growth and + 14.8 % compared to the average of the last three years. However, what goes up, must come down: That fate has befallen Germany, as estimates speak of a harvest yielding 952,000 tons, i.e. – 11.2 % YOY and – 7.9 % compared to the last triennium.

These new trends and much, much more will be in the spotlight between 21 and 23 November 2024 in Bolzano during Interpoma and the satellite Interpoma Congress, where international apple experts gather to exchange ideas and updates about the industry.

Der Beitrag Interpoma 2024 on the horizon: Stable apple production levels in Italy and a slightly lower european harvest erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Steffen Waris has wide-ranging experience in trade fair and event management. For more than a decade, he held various roles at Mineralientage Munchen (the trade fair for minerals, fossils, gemstones, and jewellery in Munich). These included positions in marketing, leading the technical services, and event management. He will now give BIOFACH the benefit of his extensive expertise.

“After a brief excursion into the logistics segment, I am very pleased to be finally breathing in the trade fair atmosphere again. Bringing people together and helping them to network is what drives me. I also live and love team spirit, which is why the close contact to our customers, exhibitors, visitors, and media representatives is so hugely important to me,” says Waris.

“In Steffen Waris we have gained an experienced trade fair expert,” explains Brunner. “I am looking forward to working with him and our entire team as we continue to successfully develop BIOFACH and VIVANESS and create inspiring experiences for our customers.”

Waris made a conscious decision in favour of BIOFACH and the organic food sector. Not only does it match his personal values and expectations; it also aligns with his professional objectives. “BIOFACH offers an incredibly fascinating environment. The segment is facing some challenges due to both market forces and political decisions, and there is a lot of movement within it. It is an honour to be part of such an exciting and dynamic sector!”

Der Beitrag New exhibition director for BIOFACH erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Prognosfruit, the leading annual event for the apple and pear sector, will take place in Trentino, Italy, from the 2nd to the 4th of August 2023. Prognosfruit 2023 is organised by WAPA in cooperation this year with APOT (Associazione Produttori Ortofrutticoli Trentini). After more than 20 years, the Italian region of Trentino is ready to welcome back a delegation of 300 leaders from the apple and pear sector from Europe and beyond. Registration is open on the Prognosfruit website until 25 July 2023, along with all the information to book accommodation in Trento.

The complete programme of Prognosfruit 2023 is available on the Prognosfruit website. The three-day event will gather the most important representatives of the sector to learn about the upcoming European apple and pear production and latest market trends, covering as well as the EU neighbourhood and the USA, China, and India. Philippe Binard, Secretary General of WAPA commented: “Prognosfruit is a long-established event for the European apples and pears sector. It has been on the agenda of the sector for 48 years. Besides the session that will reveal the key features for the Northern Hemisphere 2023/2024 apple and pear production forecast and corresponding market analysis, we are pleased this year to complement the programme with insightful new sessions on the demand side with an organic market outlook and a retail panel on adapting to consumer’s expectation. Mr Binard added “Despite on-going challenges of rising costs impacting both the sector and consumers and unpredictable climatic events, the first indicators for both apples and pears look very promising and will lead to interesting exchange during the conference in the middle of one of the most important production places”. To facilitate the debate, simultaneous translation will be available in Italian, English, French, and German.

Der Beitrag PROGNOSFRUIT 2023: Final days to register for the leading annual event of the European apple and pear sector erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

The merger of drinktec and BrauBeviale into one company is the largest merger of two trade fair flagships in Germany to date. Both trade fairs will be able to continue their individual growth unimpeded, widen their national and international reach in terms of customer contacts, and bundle their resources to the benefit of their exhibitors and visitors.

The new company YONTEX will present itself for the first time with the BrauBeviale to be held in Nuremberg from November 28 to 30, 2023. Both events will be held as before at their accustomed venues, both will retain their prestigious brand names and their well-known contact persons. Moreover, they will be held in the same cycles as before: drinktec will be held at the Munich Exhibition Centre every four years, the next event being in 2025, and BrauBeviale will still be held annually at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre, as before, except for the “drinktec years”. In addition to Munich, drinktec is also held at two additional venues: an annual event in India (drink technology India) and a biennial event in China (CHINA BREW CHINA BEVERAGE).

A 19-person team of experienced trade fair professionals from drinktec and BrauBeviale, as well as some new trade fair professionals, will be the foundation of YONTEX in the future. This new team includes CEO Rolf M. Keller and Executive Vice President Petra Westphal, who had previously been a project manager for drinktec and its international exhibitions, Executive Director BrauBeviale Andrea Kalrait, Executive Director drinktec Cluster Markus Kosak and Executive Director Operations Moritz Müller.

Der Beitrag drinktec and BrauBeviale join forces erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

The multi-year partnership will see the 30 year old right arm fast bowler become a shareholder in Goodness Group Global, as well as a public face of the Nexba brand, and at the forefront of NEW brands to be built under the Goodness Group Global umbrella.

Nexba is a leading brand in ‘Naturally Sugar Free’ functional soft drinks that has removed more than 6 billion grams of sugar from global diets. This year, Nexba expanded to become Goodness Group Global with the goal of building a house of brands that ‘taste good & do good’ while creating positive change by removing sugar and artificial ingredients from consumption.

Pat’s relationship with Nexba and Goodness Group Global adds to his growing portfolio of off-field business interests which he’s looking to grow for his eventual life after cricket.

Nexba is a leading brand in ‘Naturally Sugar Free’ functional soft drinks and kombucha both in Australia & the UK. All of the Nexba drinks are powered by their Goodsweet® natural sweetener which emulates the taste of sugar without the nasties. Consumers, retailers & governments, locally and internationally, are increasingly focused on health & wellness with rejection of both sugar and artificial sweeteners.

The opportunity to own shares alongside Pat Cummins in Nexba and Goodness Group Global is available via a crowdfunded capital raise campaign on VentureCrowd. Budding investors better be quick, as it closes in less than a month!

Der Beitrag Australian Cricketer, Pat Cummins joins Nexba and Goodness Group Global as a shareholder and brand ambassador erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

The Annual Event of Freshfel Europe 2023 took place on Thursday 25 May in central Brussels. The event was focused around the theme ‘A fresh face for fruit & vegetables. Rejuvenating fresh produce to stimulate healthy & sustainable consumption and featured top-level speakers from the European Commission, WRAP UK, Trianon Scientific Consulting, Planet Tracker and the OECD. The fresh produce industry is facing several challenges relating to climate change, misleading negative public depictions of products, and a steadily decreasing consumption rate. This year’s annual event focused on how the sector will position itself at the forefront of sustainable change, promoting accountability and responsibility to accurately showcase the many assets and benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables, portraying a ‘fresh face’ and the true qualities of the products.

Salvo Laudani, President of Freshfel Europe states: “We cannot continue to ignore this problem. Just a few years ago, during the pandemic, we were the heroes. Consumers knew we are a sustainable food alternative with high health benefits and low environmental impacts. Now, fruits and vegetables are more and more often being portrayed negatively, with misleading and untrue information on water use, quality and safety and affordability being disseminated in communication outlets.” One of the most common current misconceptions is that fruits and vegetables have become unaffordable, with prices driven up by the high inflation rates of the last year. However, as emphasised by Mr Laudani: “Estimations from Italy show that in 2022, monthly household expenditure increased by EUR 446, out of which grocery expenditure accounted for EUR 35 with 10 % being attributed to fruits and vegetables. That means that the inflation on fruits and vegetables only led to an increased cost of EUR 3,5 more per month, or 0,1 cents per day, for Italian households.”

Fresh produce is essential to the green transition and is central in European strategies such as the Green Deal, Farm to Fork, Fit for 55 and the EU Beating Cancer Plan. Speakers at the event highlighted the urgency to act now to reach these goals and stressed that although fruit and vegetables have the capacity and qualities of taking the lead in sustainability, there is still a lot more work to be done. Innovational efforts, new technologies and farming practices are still in their infancy, and greater attention must be paid to how to efficiently finance the efforts that need to be made for the sector to remain proactive.

While the meeting identified several areas where progress can be made, regulatory and financial hurdles remain. Philippe Binard, General Delegate of Freshfel Europe remarked: “Fruit and vegetables have a key role to play in the move towards a plant diet and sustainable food chains. Yet, policy changes are placing hurdles on the sector’s journey towards these objectives. Restrictions to the use of plant protection products, packaging, efficient labelling requirements and insufficient actions to stimulate innovation projects and consumption are impeding and delaying the move to fully sustainable fresh produce.

Before the Annual Event Public Conference, Freshfel Europe held its Annual General Meeting, during which the Freshfel Europe 2023 Activity Report, covering the Association’s activities in the period June 2022 to May 2023, was presented to the members. The Freshfel Europe 2023 Activity Report is available online here.

Der Beitrag Freshfel Europe’s Annual Event focuses on unravelling misconceptions and proclaiming the true, fresh face of fruits and vegetables erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Valentina Aureli, CEO of the Aetna Group together with her brother Enrico, was among the protagonists of the panel. She shared her view on women’s position in the world of packaging and spoke about her career path. In addition to her, other prominent professionals shared their stories at the event: Afsaneh Nabifar, Head of Market Development for Biopolymers at BASF; Australian Nadia Taylor, co-founder and director of TNA Solutions; Marjo Halonen, Vice President of Communications at Metsä Board Corporation in Finland; and Gabi Bauer, Head of Marketing and Communications at Uhlmann Pac-Systeme.

For the first time at interpack, this year’s format was organised with the support of the World Packaging Organization, WPO. Furthermore, it was created to inspire and disseminate the testimonies of women who have made their mark on the packaging industry. In fact, until recently, this sector was dominated mainly by men. However, it is now also being positively valued by many young women who wish to pursue careers in this area.

Valentina Aureli explained to the audience that she gained her experience in international high finance at Rothschild Banking. However, over the past two decades, she and her brother have guided Aetna Group towards steady global growth with the main brands Robopac and OCME. “It is important to be the same person both at home and at work, and to always put yourself out there”, commented the CEO, “but keeping in mind three fundamental coordinates, which have helped me overcome challenges in both my personal and professional lives. Be real, be whole and be innovative”. She stated emphatically: “Essentially, this means being oneself regardless of external influences, being whole by following one’s principles, and finally being innovative by employing not only rational, but emotional and social intelligence as well. All this is very valuable in working environments”.

At Aetna Group, talent development is the basis of a rich and stimulating work system, which knows no cultural or gender differences.

Valentina Aureli commented on the subject, stating: “I am fortunate to be able to say that our Group is filled with talented individuals, many of whom are women. We have several female managers on the front line in China, Mexico, Italy and America, even in sectors and departments in which women have traditionally been under-represented and where specific product knowledge is required. I am referring to engineering, sales engineering, after-sales, sales and spare parts. It is also noteworthy that there are women managers in more traditional roles, such as marketing, human resources, and administration. My choices to place women in certain key roles reflect their ability to coordinate and facilitate processes”.

This was a successful event and a source of inspiration for many young women, as well as a very sensitive topic within the Group. The latter had already proposed and organised it on several occasions through the Robopac USA subsidiary under the same title: the first time in October 2022 at Pack-Expo in Chicago, and then twice more this year in Duluth, home of the American HQ.

Der Beitrag Women in packaging: Valentina Aureli is at the forefront of interpack 2023’s highlight event erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Peter Harding, CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Europe, has been elected as the new President of Unesda Soft Drinks Europe, representing the non-alcoholic drinks industry in Europe. He takes up his two-year mandate from 1 July 2023, taking over the presidency from Ian Ellington of PepsiCo Europe.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Harding said: ‘’I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed President of Unesda for the next two years. Unesda has a solid reputation at EU level, and I couldn’t be more excited to build on our strong momentum to contribute to the transition to a more sustainable and healthier food system in Europe. The soft drinks sector plays a major role in the European economy and our entire value chain is estimated to be worth 185bn euros per annum.¹ We are a valued employer and together with our suppliers and extended value chain we support 1.7 million jobs across Europe. As an important sector within food and drink, we believe we have a key leadership role to play to help drive strategic sustainable change for Europe, while supporting the growth ambitions of our sector. I am committed to accelerating our sector’s actions and look forward to working with all stakeholders on an enabling policy and regulatory framework.’’

Mr Harding also commented on the role Unesda and its network should continue to play in society: ‘’The soft drinks sector is a very local industry with more than 400 manufacturing plants located across Europe, all strongly connected to their local community. I will encourage our network around Europe to continue supporting relevant social initiatives. I am a true believer that we have the power to make the world a better place, and giving back to society is the key to making it real.’’

Reacting to Mr Harding’s appointment, Nicholas Hodac, director general of Unesda, said: ‘’I am thrilled to welcome Peter as the new President of Unesda and work closely together towards realising our sector’s ambitions at such a pivotal time for us. We are entering into our next strategic phase as major legislative files are being reviewed, such as the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, and we get ready for a new era of EU policy with the European elections next year. I greatly look forward to the next chapter of our incredible journey.’’

Hodac concluded: ‘’I also wish to express my debt of gratitude to our outgoing President, Ian Ellington, for his extraordinary leadership of Unesda in the past two years. Ian has significantly strengthened our association’s leadership role in driving circularity forward and helping European consumers to make more sustainable and healthier dietary choices.² We have taken bold leaps forward and we will build upon this great progress.’’

¹ The entire value chain of the soft drinks sector includes agricultural raw ingredients, raw materials for packaging, other soft drinks ingredients (e.g. water, syrups), R&D related to innovation across products and services, creative services, transport and distribution of products, retail sales (e.g. supermarkets) and foodservice sales (e.g. HORECA). Source: Global Data.

² In 2021, Unesda announced a series of voluntary commitments in its two main priority areas for action: sustainability, and health and nutrition. In February 2021, Unesda launched its Circular Packaging Vision 2030, which aims to achieve full circularity of its beverage packaging by 2030. A few months later, in June2021, Unesda announced its new and enhanced commitments to continue to support European consumers in adopting healthier dietary habits.

Der Beitrag Unesda announces new President erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Martin Petersson, CEO Ardagh Glass Packaging – Europe: one of the world’s leading glass packaging manufacturers – has been elected President of the EU container glass federation.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Petersson said: “I am honoured to take up this important role and look forward to contributing to FEVE’s work in collaboration with FEVE members, staff, and the national associations. We have challenging and exciting times ahead of us, but we are in a strong position to reach our sustainability goals and strengthen our industry’s Circular Economy model.

He added: “Glass is a material that has unique inherent sustainability benefits: it is a permanent material, endlessly recycled in a closed loop and it is inert, meaning that it protects the quality of products, it preserves their taste, and guarantees safety for consumers’ health. It is also uniquely versatile in adding value and premium positioning to products. However, all these qualities are often taken for granted in the marketplace. We need to be more proactive in defending and promoting glass.”

Martin Petersson succeeds Vitaliano Torno, O-I Glass President Business Operations & O-I Europe, who led the association for the previous two years. “Vitaliano did a great job in navigating the federation through recent years, marked by the global pandemic and unforeseeable market dynamics, but he also managed to maintain a united industry in shaping a common vision to face the major challenge of climate neutrality”, commented Petersson.

The FEVE members also elected Michel Giannuzzi, Chairman of the Board of Verallia, as Vice-President. Mr Giannuzzi commented: “Our industry is at a crucial crossroad on the path to the future. We should not be afraid to invest in the sustainability assets of our business model to secure our future as packaging leaders. I am looking forward to supporting Martin and the sector over the next two years in the drive to address climate change and the sustainability agenda.”

Der Beitrag New presidency elected at the European Container Glass Federation annual general meeting erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Ian has many years of experience in consumer facing businesses and in retail. He currently serves as the Chair of Warren Partners Ltd, having recently stepped down as Chair of Greggs plc and has previously served as Chair of DFS Furniture plc and Capital & Countries Properties plc in the last five years. His earlier career included senior leadership roles at Liberty International Plc and Thistle Hotels. Other boards he has served on as a Non-Executive Director include Greene King plc, Home Retail Group PLC and Westbury plc.

Ian was appointed Chair designate on 1 February and since been involved in an orderly handover of responsibilities with John.

Der Beitrag Britvic welcomes Ian Durant as new Chair and pays tribute to John Daly on his retirement erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Prognosfruit, the leading annual event for the apple and pear sector, will take place in Trentino, Italy, from the 2nd to the 4th of August 2023. Prognosfruit 2023 is organised by WAPA in cooperation with APOT (Associazione Produttori Ortofrutticoli Trentini). Registration is now open on the Prognosfruit website.

Alessandro Dalpiaz (APOT) commented on the event’s return to Trentino: “We are honoured to host in Trentino the most important international conference dedicated to apples and pears. Prognosfruit is certainly an important opportunity to present to the participants the ability of an organised system to deal with environmental issues, geopolitical crises, and market uncertainties. Prognosfruit also represents an occasion to bring the attention of the participants to those understated yet relevant values of mountain areas, with their arts, traditions, stories, and landscapes that attract and make millions of visitors think every year”.

Since 1976, Prognosfruit has released the annual forecast of apple and pear production for the upcoming season. This year, the three-day event during which the report will be released will see representatives of the sector gather to discuss the Northern Hemisphere situation as well as global perspectives for apples and pears. Following the Prognosfruit Conference on August 3rd, the delegates will have the opportunity to participate in technical and cultural visits to Melinda’s Underground Warehouses, San Romedio Sanctuary, and Valer Castle.

WAPA Secretary General Philippe Binard stated: “Last year’s edition reminded us all how important Prognosfruit and its three-day programme are for the apple and pear sector. Prognosfruit provides the opportunity for the delegates to meet up and discuss the latest developments and the future of the market, which is especially important in challenging times like the ones the sector is currently dealing with”.

The draft programme of Prognosfruit 2023 and the online registration form to attend the conference are both available on the Prognosfruit website.

Der Beitrag PROGNOSFRUIT 2023 to take place in Trentino, Italy, 2-4 August 2023 – registration is now open! erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Reiner Strecker, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Eckes AG: “I would like to thank Tim Berger already today for the great contribution he has made in the last three years, especially with the future-oriented transformation of the company. The supervisory board and the shareholders wish Tim Berger all the best for his professional and personal future.”

Tim Berger: “I am thoroughly proud of what we have achieved together for Eckes-Granini in the past three years. I will continue to lead the company with the same commitment and passion in the coming months, until my departure. And already today, I would like to thank my colleages, all of the Eckes-Granini employees, and the entire Supervisory Board as well as the shareholders for their trust, support and strong engagement.”

About the Eckes-Granini Group
Eckes-Granini is the leading supplier of fruit juices and fruit beverages in Europe. For the independent family-owned company headquartered in Nieder-Olm, Germany (Rhineland-Palatinate), the focus is on committed and competent employees, strong brands in the areas of juices, fruit beverages and smoothies, and a long-term strategic orientation with sustainable value creation. Today, Eckes-Granini operates mainly in Europe with its own national companies and strategic partners and generates annual sales of 917 million euros with a total of 1703 employees. The company’s foundation is formed by the internationally renowned premium brands granini and Pago together with strong national and regional brands for juices such as hohes C, Joker and God Morgon. Consumers in 80 countries worldwide and especially in Europe know and appreciate our fruit juices and the variety of fruit drinks.

Der Beitrag CEO Tim Berger leaves Eckes-Granini erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

EIT Food, the world’s largest and most dynamic initiative for food innovations is the new partner of Anuga. In line with the key theme of Anuga, “Sustainable Growth”, the aim of the long-term, strategic partnership is to promote the dialogue and the interdisciplinary cooperation to achieve a sustainable food system. Together the leading global trade fair for food and beverages and EIT Food will create a platform for innovative ideas and new sustainable developments in the food industry. To this end, they are bringing the most important players from the industry and fields of politics and business together at Anuga in Cologne from 7 to 11 October 2023.

“We are delighted to have the experts of EIT Food and its network on board in the scope of this new, strategic partnership. New ways towards an improved, global food system will be highlighted in the course of different event formats and subsequently there will be an opportunity to engage in a direct exchange with an international trade audience and the trade media,” explained Bastian Mingers, Vice President Food.

Dr. Andy Zynga, CEO of EIT Food, adds: “EIT Food is very pleased to work more closely with Anuga, in addition to the partnership with Anuga HORIZON. The goal of the food community is clear: only together will we build an innovative and resilient food system, which is integral in driving greater food security and a healthier planet. This requires new ideas, solutions and collaboration within the industry, for which Anuga offers a fantastic opportunity.”

The key contents of the partnership are among others:

• a professional exchange and knowledge transfer
• the joint development of the conference and event programme of Anuga with panel discussions, workshops and speakers
• joint press events in the run-up to and during Anuga

Der Beitrag Anuga and EIT Food enter a strategic partnership erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Fruit Logistica, WCO members met in Berlin to exchange on citrus consumption and market developments. On the back of challenging climatic conditions across many countries for citrus, the sector, like others in fresh produce, is grappling with quickly changing consumption trends. With consumers moving into a post-COVID mindset and priority shifting to the price of a shopping basket, purchasing decisions are shifting across demographics. WCO’s meeting at Fruit Logistica featured a guest presentation by Helwig Schwartau (AMI) on market and consumption evolutions in Europe, with particular focus on Germany. This was complemented by a presentation on the latest fresh produce consumption trends by WCO Data Analyst Gil Kaufman as well as a presentation on the Organisation’s priority areas for action by WCO Policy Advisor Nicola Pisano.

Uniting citrus-producing countries and citrus stakeholders for collective action in the citrus sector, the WCO is holding meetings for members to better understand market developments and demand dynamics to best position the sector. WCO Secretary General Philippe Binard, commented, “Through the WCO the citrus sector is staying abreast of market evolutions. Thanks to the active involvement of its members from around the globe in sharing supply and demand observations and forecast data in a pre-competitive format along with informative market insights presentations at meetings, the sector is better positioning products not only on domestic markets but also further afield”. Mr Binard added that, “Citrus is still a prominent category in Europe with oranges and mandarins together as the second most popular fruits after apples with consumption at 12.43kg per capita per year. However, despite most citrus products now returning to pre-pandemic consumption levels, younger generations are showing slightly higher purchasing volumes overall. Although households are increasingly shopping according to more limited budgets, citrus is remaining a key element in fresh fruit and vegetable selection”.

Der Beitrag The World Citrus Organisation exchanges on consumption & market developments at Fruit Logistica erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Axel Zügel is a trained industrial clerk. After completing his training, he worked for a plant manufacturer for several years before moving to ZIEMANN HOLVRIEKA GmbH in 2004. After gaining a Master of Science degree in Strategic Management, he initially held the position of Purchasing Manager in the company. In this position, he was responsible for ensuring that the supply chain ran smoothly. As Director of Projects EPC, he was subsequently in charge of the order processing, project management, assembly and logistics divisions at the Ludwigsburg site. Commenting on his new position as COO, he said: “I’ll continue to be 100 percent committed to strengthening our global capabilities and expanding our worldwide connectivity. My many years of working with our company, employees and partners will contribute to our continued handling of high-quality projects and our punctual adherence to deadlines.”

Der Beitrag New COO at ZIEMANN HOLVRIEKA: Axel Zügel joins the Management Board erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Tina Andres, Chair of the Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft (German Federation of the Organic Food Industry, BÖLW): “We are caught between a paradigm shift and a polycrisis, and we need to provide the right answers now to deal with the crises affecting energy, the climate and biodiversity. Organics offers direct, functional and trailblazing answers to achieve a social and environmental transformation, and thus an agricultural and food industry that is suitable for the coming generations without overstretching the planet’s resources. With its slogan Paving the Path, BIOFACH is showing the way as the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food.
It sets the tone and serves as an anchor and a model for the entire sector. It is a place for innovative, committed business operators and visionaries to network, with a clear focus on ‘30 percent organic’ by 2030, and using positive, powerful examples to illustrate how we can shape the future differently.”

Petra Wolf, Member of the Executive Board, NürnbergMesse: “BIOFACH and VIVANESS are not only back in their February slot but also impressively demonstrated their role as an international sector gathering and a launch pad for the year’s activities during the past four days. The industry players here in Nuremberg showed themselves to be full of strength and strategies for the future. The positive atmosphere that was palpable in the exhibition halls was deeply moving and filled me with joy at a personal level. It is remarkable how rich, inspiring, solution-focused and forward-looking this sector is. Organic is the future!”

BIOFACH and VIVANESS Congress: Organic. Food Sovereignty. True Prices

The BIOFACH and VIVANESS Congress, with a total of 120 professionally polished individual sessions and high-calibre participants, attracted almost 8,000 delegates and once again proved to be a forward-looking forum for the sector. In addition to the keynote theme of “Organic. Food Sovereignty. True Prices”, with up to 125 interested listeners and participants in the individual sessions, the focus was also on questions of current market developments and trends, as well as the political and legal framework. The session on the international market situation, “Global Organic Market Overview”, as part of the BIOFACH Forum, drew the highest attendance in 2023 with 242 participants.

Extending the trade fair experience digitally

Around one in four of the participants in BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2023 also made use of the services offered by the digital event platform, most of them as hybrid participants. They attended in person, but also used the platform as a digital add-on before and during the combined trade fair. The Congress content will continue to be available after the event.

Save the date: BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2024, the next event in the series, will take place at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 13 to 16 February 2024.

Der Beitrag BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2023: Strong, positive presentation by both trade fair and sector erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

One in four of the more than 24,000 trade visitors who participated in the unique Summer Edition of BIOFACH and VIVANESS in 2022 also made use of the services offered by the digital event platform, most of them as hybrid participants. They attended in person, but used the platform as a digital add-on before, during and after the event.

How to take advantage of the benefits the platform offers for BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2023, and what highlights there are to look forward to: These questions were put to Dominik Dietz, the BIOFACH and VIVANESS team member responsible for the digital platform.

Briefly, what are the key added values offered by the digital event platform?

With the digital event platform, we offer the organic food and natural and organic personal care community the full package, in other words, an all-in-one service covering all aspects of BIOFACH and VIVANESS – from preparation to on-site use, follow-up and access to congress presentations after the event. That means a wide range of functions from exhibitor and product searches to appointment and agenda scheduling, and many opportunities to interact – digitally, in person and in hybrid form! The right feature is therefore available to suit every requirement at the right time, either during the trade fair or at the preparation stage – all in an intuitive, state- of-the-art platform solution, including the app!

Will there be new developments in 2023 – upgrades or special features?

In collaboration with our partner talque, we are constantly working on both upgrading and creating new features in order to drive forward the fusion of in-person (i.e. on-site) and digital added value. For 2023, exhibitors, visitors and media contacts will be able to enjoy improvements in usability, such as a revised chat design and design improvements in the area of personal participant profiles. As a further “special”, the mobile app will have a BIOFACH/VIVANESS design in 2023.

Not to be missed: What do I need to know and take into account beforehand in order to get the most out of my attendance or visit to the trade fair?

The important thing is to take time to prepare and maintain your profile, both the company profile for exhibitors and your personal participant profile in general. A detailed, perfect “fit” in the product search process is a key factor for success in ensuring people can find you. This can be boosted further by adding additional product profiles. Carefully maintaining your personal matchmaking details is also an important element in finding the right suggestions and best matches when you are looking for contacts. Recommendation: Keep your profile and choice of search and offer criteria up to date at all times so you can continue finding new matches.

Der Beitrag BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2023: The future of trade fairs is hybrid erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

New technologies that can transform the business are waiting to be discovered from 8 to 10 February 2023 at FRUIT LOGISTICA in Berlin. “Fruit and veg suppliers across the world are under enormous pressure to cut costs and reduce their environmental impact,” says Kai Mangelberger, director of FRUIT LOGISTICA. “Digital technologies on display at Fruit Logistica offer them a chance to make their production and their supply chains more efficient and more sustainable.”

In Hall 3.1, innovative companies will present a range of digital solutions in the Smart Agri area, which made its debut at last year’s FRUIT LOGISTICA. These include AI-enabled robotic harvesters (IAV), precision spray drones (ABZ Innovation), advanced watering concepts (Irriot and Topraq), and autonomous field vehicles (Ant Robotics).

And on 10 February, under the theme Disrupt Agriculture, FRUIT LOGISTICA’s fourth Start-up Day turns Hall 2.1 into a networking hub for groundbreaking innovations. 20 of the most innovative tech start-ups from around the world will show their products, projects and ideas in the Start-up Area. Hall 2.1 is also home to the Start-up Stage, where start-ups and smart agri companies will present their forward-looking business ideas, technologies, and visions for the future on the third day of the show.

Among the technologies on display will be AI-powered platforms that can help predict shelf-life (Freshsens), warn of food safety risks (iComplai), and promote collaboration across supply chains (Obortech). In addition, companies such as 7Sense Agritech, Bluetentacles and Smart Watering Solutions will present intelligent irrigation technologies, each with the potential to reduce water and energy consumption dramatically.

More information about the FRUIT LOGISTICA Smart Agri area, Start-up Day and Start-up Stage as well as profiles of all start-ups and exhibitors, can be found at FRUIT LOGISTICA Online as well as on the website of FRUIT LOGISTICA.

Der Beitrag FRUIT LOGISTICA start-ups present vision of more profitable and sustainable future erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Karmebäck enhances the international profile of the company, having been named a UN Global Compact SDG Pioneer in 2022. Vera, recognised for her strong work in having ‘demonstrated extraordinary progress and commitment towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals’, comes from RA International – a remote site service provider.

Sustainability is a key focus area for Oterra in 2023, as the company looks to step out of the shadows of its previous parent company Chr. Hansen, and strongly solidify its own world contributions. For Oterra CEO, Odd Erik Hansen, the company’s mission of ‘making food and beverage easy for a healthy and sustainable world’ resonates with industry aspirations.

“Our employees and customers expect us to be the industry leader when it comes to sustainability – and as a natural colours company that believes nature got it right – it makes perfect sense that we lead the colour industry in finding the best ways to adopt sustainable practices for the future,” said Hansen.

Oterra is a key supplier of natural colours to most of the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturers.

Der Beitrag Oterra welcomes Global Sustainability talent to the team erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

This year’s Fi Europe, the world’s leading food and beverage ingredients trade show, proved once again that it is the trusted meeting place for the global food and beverage ingredients industry. Celebrating its on-site debut at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and framed by an extensive online event, the show saw attendance figures jump from 13,000 online and in person in 2021 to 21,881 to date – and counting. The top 3 countries in attendance were France, Netherlands and Germany, with Italy, UK, Spain, Belgium, Poland, USA and Denmark completing the top 10 list. Visitors were able to meet with and explore opportunities from 934 exhibitors – almost one third up on 2021.

Julien Bonvallet, Food Group Brand Director at Informa Markets, said: “We’re thrilled with the success of Fi Europe 2022 in Paris and online, with high-quality visitors and exhibitors showcasing pathbreaking solutions and products. It’s extremely heartening to see the entire F&B industry come together, build new business relationships, and share ideas and expert insights.”

Show highlights included live presentations to the winners of the Fi Europe Innovation Awards and the Startup Innovation Challenge; the New Product Zone, showcasing the latest ideas from leading industry players, and the Innovation Hub, where keynote speakers explored challenges and opportunities as well as sustainability and future-proof solutions.

Eagle-eyed visitors will also have spotted Food ingredients’ new logo and branding as it appeared in various locations across the four halls. Part of a new identity for the Fi portfolio, the bright and bold branding centres around a simple logo with the letters Fi set inside freeform coloured circles. Together, these elements represent the idea of tastemakers of the world coming together to create the world of taste. The organic nature of the logo also links to Informa Markets’ commitment to sustainability.

Great to be back: what the exhibitors say

Gelita: “We were so excited to be back in person at FiE this year. Expectations were really high for this “re-start” event… And what can we say? All our expectations have been fulfilled – not only by the numbers of visitors, but also by the high quality of contacts we generated.”

Cargill: “It was great to be back on the FiE floor this year and to participate in such a buzzing event. FiE 2022 was a real reminder of the value of meeting again in person.

It was the perfect opportunity for us to catch up with hundreds of our customers and partners from Europe and beyond, and to inspire them with new business opportunities. We continue to see FiE as the premier event for food ingredients supply and partnership – and long may it continue to set the tone.”

Alvinesa: “Exhibiting for the first time at FiE has been a great success. The interest in our upcycled, natural ingredients has exceeded our expectations and we’ve had some very interesting conversations with customers and potential new partners. We look forward to seeing where these new projects go, and have already booked our booth for next years’ show.”

In 2023, Fi Europe will return to Messe Frankfurt, Germany, from 28 – 30 November, and online to audiences around the world from 20 – 30 November 2023.

Der Beitrag Successful Debut at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

The success of Interpoma exceeded all expectations: after four long years, from 17th to 19th November the Fiera Bolzano exhibition center hosted a total of 490 exhibitors, 30 % of which from abroad, and more than 16,000 visitors from over 70 countries.

With a total number of 800 attendees, the international Interpoma Congress was sold out completely. While Day 1 offered an insider perspective into the developments in the US apple sector, Day 2 focused on presentations by the world’s leading manufacturers of apple harvesting robots. The guided Interpoma Tours were also fully booked and provided 500 international visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the modern fruit-selling and fruit-producing companies of South Tyrol. All trade show and congress attendees received a free copy of the 2nd edition of the official Interpoma Magazine, which, just like the previous edition, was again printed on 100 % apple paper and offered interesting insights into the world of apple growing.

“If you were worried that the fact that there was no Interpoma for a full four years might have negatively affected the trade show’s appeal, you can rest assured. Actually, it’s quite the contrary: we have seen more international visitors than ever before, even though visitors from Asia could not attend this year due to pandemic-related restrictions,” says Thomas Mur, Fiera Bolzano’s director. “The powerful and unparalleled network of the South Tyrolean apple industry spanning sectors such as research, consulting, and marketing continues to be the key factor for success of this trade show and represents a global showcase for sustainable growth and a passion for continually improving the fruit-growing business.”

Exclusive high-tech solutions designed to combat labor shortages including robots for automated harvesting were presented at the show and will undergo further development during the next couple of years before they are ready to be launched into the market. A multitude of innovations in automation and mechanization will help make up for the lack of skilled labor. Another key area covered during Interpoma 2022 was climate change. The Interpoma Award was presented for the most innovative technologies in the field of water management in apple orchards dedicated to reducing the amount of water required to yield the same amount of crops.

A new addition to this year’s show was the Interpoma Variety Garden held at the FieraMesse H1 Eventspace, which invited visitors to embark on a colorful journey through the history of variety management and explore the world’s first exhibition of 60 branded apple varieties.

Sebastian Stocker from the manufacturer of agricultural machines of the same name based in South Tyrol, was more than happy: “Interpoma was a huge success for us! At this year’s show, we presented our company in a completely new way. We have grown quite a bit compared to the 2018 edition, and our expectations for the show were exceeded by 300 %. Many visitors found their way to our booth on all three show days.”

Gabriele Gessi from Palbox, a large-sized container manufacturer from Italy, states: “Interpoma is a very important trade show for us, because apples are our key business. We’ve expanded and redesigned our booth to show how much our company has grown and evolved during the last couple of years featuring many new and innovative products. We are more than happy with how this show turned out for us, seeing as it gave us the chance to meet so many people whom it was really hard to reach out to during the last four years.”

The next edition of the trade show dedicated to the production, storage, and marketing of apples will again be held in Bolzano in November 2024. Recordings of both days of the Interpoma Congress will be made available on the trade show’s website for anyone to enjoy in the meantime.

Der Beitrag Interpoma 2022: more international than ever erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Sikes will be the 10th CEO in Cargill’s 157-year history and brings a strong track record of business operational rigor to the role, having grown the company’s global Protein and Salt enterprise into an industry leader. Sikes currently serves as Cargill’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), where he has been instrumental in constructing the company’s long-term strategy. With broad experience across multiple businesses, cycles and geographies, Sikes held leadership roles in the U.S., Canada and Europe, and served as the head of the company’s Talent Center of Expertise. His relentless focus on people and culture, customers, and proven expertise in leading growth and transformation have earned him the trust and respect of Cargill’s customers, employees and the Board.

Sikes will succeed MacLennan, who joined the company in 1991 and served in multiple executive roles, including CFO and COO, before becoming the company’s Chairman and CEO in 2013. During his nine years at the company’s helm, MacLennan helped achieve outstanding financial results while feeding millions of families and building community resilience in more than 125 countries worldwide. His long-term strategic vision and willingness to disrupt are exemplified by his leadership on the largest acquisitions in the company’s history, including Croda (bioindustrials), EWOS (aquaculture), Diamond V (animal nutrition), and Sanderson and Wayne Farms (poultry). In addition, the company built expertise in alternative proteins and has developed technologies and digital solutions to transform farming, supply chains and food delivery during his tenure.

MacLennan is passionate about employee well-being, never compromising worker health and safety for production. He created Cargill’s sustainability office and built a culture that prioritizes and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. Under his leadership, the company is on a path to achieve gender parity by 2030 and the representation of women on the Executive Team has increased to 46%. In addition, he has been an industry leader in sustainability, particularly around climate change. He prioritized action, not just making commitments, with programs like RegenConnect, which has advanced regenerative agriculture practices on 158,000 acres of North American farmland, and BeefUp Sustainability, which has reduced 1.7 million metric tons of CO2.

In his role as Executive Chair of the Board, MacLennan will ensure a smooth leadership transition, serve as a trusted strategic advisor to Sikes, the company and the Board and support Cargill’s long-term strategic plan.

Der Beitrag Cargill appoints Brian Sikes as President and Chief Executive Officer, and Dave MacLennan as Executive Chair of the Board erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Braun, 54, currently serves as president of the Latin America operating unit, a position he has held since 2020. Braun is a 26-year veteran of the company who has progressed through a number of roles in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

“Henrique is a strong leader who has learned and grown in operations across the company,” said James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “Most recently, he has led the Latin America operating unit to outstanding results. Henrique’s work to digitise our business and lead a consumer-centric team makes him an ideal fit for a new, broader role.”

As President, International Development, Braun will have oversight of the Latin America operating unit, along with adding responsibility for six operating units: Japan and South Korea; ASEAN and South Pacific; Greater China and Mongolia; Africa; India and Southwest Asia; and Eurasia and Middle East. The presidents of these operating units remain unchanged; Braun’s successor as president of the Latin America operating unit will be named at a later date.

About Henrique Braun
Braun has worked in a number of functions during his career at Coca-Cola, including supply chain, new business development, marketing, innovation, general management and bottling operations. He has also been a leader in regional, business unit and corporate functions.
From 2013 to 2016, he served as president of the company’s Greater China & Korea business unit. He was named president of the Brazil business unit in 2016, followed by his current role as president of what was then the newly created Latin America operating unit in 2020.
Braun is a dual citizen of the United States and Brazil. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from the University Federal of Rio de Janeiro. He also has a Master of Science degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Georgia State University.
Braun takes on his new duties Jan. 1, 2023, and will report to Quincey.
The company also announced that President and Chief Financial Officer John Murphy will add oversight of the company’s Bottling Investments Group, which will continue to be led by President Murat Ozgel.

Der Beitrag The Coca-Cola Company names Henrique Braun to newly created role of President, International Development erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Talks and demos will be given by both resident and industry experts. Topics will include how PEF works, its benefits for product and production, the development of PEF in industry during the past 10 years, as well as its huge potential for other industries, all scientific supported by our Research & Development department.

In our showroom, we will guide you through the Elea PEF system range, whose capacity reaches up to 60 t/h for solid treatment and 5.000 L for liquid treatment, followed by confidential one-to-one sessions about PEF solutions tailored for your business. Combined with a social program, an interesting and memorable event is guaranteed.

PEF inactivates microorganisms at lower temperatures, whereby the freshness & quality is maintained. A cost-effective alternative to thermal and HPP.

Visit us on 16 & 17 November in Quakenbrück and discover the application of Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) for extraction and preservation of fruit juices.

For more information please visit: https://elea-technology.com/events/elea-pef-advantage-day-2022/

Der Beitrag Elea PEF Advantage Day 2022 – Lectures, Demos & system showroom erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

The 12th edition of Interpoma will be full of colour. During the international apple industry trade show, which takes place between 17 and 19 November, Fiera Bolzano’s FieraMesse H1 Eventspace will host an exhibition of 55 managed apple varieties which come from leading apple-producing countries from around the world, including New Zealand, the United States and France as well as Italy, which stars South Tyrol and Trentino. The Interpoma Variety Garden, the latest addition to the Interpoma 2022 program, is organized in partnership with the Variety Innovation Consortium South Tyrol (SK) and Laimburg Research Centre.

“We came up with the Variety Garden as a way to bring Interpoma’s innovative and international spirit to life through colour and appearance”, says Thomas Mur, Managing Director of Fiera Bolzano. “The managed apple varieties come from leading apple-producing countries across the world and tell the story of the system’s thirty year history. It begins with the first managed varieties which were produced exactly thirty years ago, such as KIKU^® and Pink Lady^®, right up to new varieties which are only just hitting the supermarket shelves. We are extremely proud to be the first and only to have brought together the abundance of heritage varieties under one roof” adds Mur.

Colour will be the undisputed star of the Variety Garden. The exhibited fruits will display a remarkably wide range of hues, from the bright yellow of yello^® and opal^® apples, to the fresh, bright green of GreenStar^®, to the dark, intense red of Crimson Snow^®, all the way up to attractive new varieties with red flesh branded as Red Moon^®, Kissabel^® and LucyGlo.

Interpoma Variety Garden is just one of the many side events planned for the 12th edition of Interpoma. The Opening Night will take place on November 16th, on the eve of the fair’s opening, and will present winners with the Interpoma Award, a contest which rewards the best innovations in the water conservation field. The Interpoma Congress takes place on November 17th and 18th, and will focus on the apple industry of the United States and robotic harvesting. Interpoma Tours, 10 guided visits of South Tyrol and Trentino’s most innovative companies within the apple industry, will take place on all three days.

Der Beitrag The Interpoma Variety Garden managed apple varieties exhibition fills the trade show with colour erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

CEO Refresco, Hans Roelofs: “People have been and always will be at the heart of our company. Today, we elevate our People agenda to the Executive Committee level, by appointing Martha as our first Chief People and Legal Officer. In addition to her continued focus on the Company’s legal matters, Martha will prioritize our People strategy across our entire footprint, while ensuring full alignment with our other strategic priorities.”

Martha Zandbergen said: “I am thrilled to take on the challenge of further strengthening our strategic People agenda. It really underscores the importance of integrating this into our long-term growth ambitions. Refresco aims to be an attractive employer where people can build a career with purpose, and where they can grow and develop. I look forward to working with the Executive Committee and our local teams, to continue to build on our value-based culture and make sure our people feel engaged and supported.”

Martha Zandbergen is a seasoned executive and has held several international roles over the past 20 years. Martha joined Refresco in 2015 and has been heading the Company’s legal function in her role as General Counsel and Company Secretary. Prior to joining Refresco, Martha was Legal Counsel at Shell for almost nine years. Martha holds a Law degree from Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

Der Beitrag Refresco appoints Martha Zandbergen as Chief People and Legal Officer erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Crucial EU legislation on bioplastics is expected to be adopted by the end of the year and beyond. This is a great opportunity to fully acknowledge the role of bio-based and compostable plastics within the circular economy. We welcome the European Commission’s initiatives to establish a clear and reliable political environment for bioplastics. This is crucial to ensure a continued successful development of our industry. It also enables bioplastics to contribute to the achievement of the EU’s ambitious climate goals, especially a lower environmental footprint”, he adds.

Afsaneh Nabifar (BASF SE), Peter von den Kerkhoff (Covation Biomaterials LLC), Patrick Zimmermann (FKuR), Franz Kraus (Novamont), Paolo La Scola (TotalEnergies Corbion), and Erwin Lepoudre (Kaneka) are also members of the new Board, with the latter serving as the Treasurer.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all members of the previous board for their great contributions to our association over the past term”, says Barot and adds: “In the name of European Bioplastics I would also like to express special appreciation to my predecessor, François de Bie, who had served the association as Chairperson for almost ten years. Now, important tasks lie ahead of us and I’m very much looking forward to actively approaching them.”

Der Beitrag European Bioplastics elects new board with Stefan Barot as chairperson erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

FACHPACK offers a compact yet comprehensive overview of the products and services relating to the packaging process chain for industrial and customer goods – i.e. packaging and the associated technology and processes. This year’s event will extend to nine exhibition halls. Of the 1,145 exhibitors, 42 percent will travel to Nuremberg from outside Germany, the majority from Turkey, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium, the Czech Republic and France.

A good half of the exhibitors are active in packaging materials and packaging accessories, and about one-third in the area of packaging machines and labelling and palletizing systems. About 15 percent work in the area of package printing and finishing, in-house logistics and services for the packaging industry.

Der Beitrag FACHPACK 2022: European packaging industry gathers in Nuremberg erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

drinktec—the world’s leading trade fair

With 65 percent of exhibitors and more than 70 percent of visitors coming from countries outside of Germany, drinktec has impressively bolstered its status as the world’s leading trade fair. Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, Messe München CEO: “drinktec shows us that world fairs in Europe are possible again. Most visitors came from abroad, and almost 40 percent of these from outside of Europe, such as Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Japan and India. And it’s quite revealing that the third strongest visitor country after Germany and Italy is the USA.” Volker Kronseder, drinktec Chairman of the Advisory Board, adds: “When you go through the halls, you discover a multitude of new and further developments, you see that people from different countries are at last communicating with one another in person again. The innovation density is also extremely high again this year.”

drinktec—highest possible visitor quality

Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the Process Plant and Equipment Association, German Engineering Federation (VDMA), sums up: “The industry has been waiting for drinktec in particular with bated breath. The atmosphere is simply superb. The exhibitors are impressed by the internationality and high quality of the visitors.” An observation that Florian Schneider, Chief Commercial Officer at ZIEMANN HOLVRIEKA, seamlessly adds to: “drinktec is back, and with it our customers and interested parties from all over the world. The numbers do appear on the whole to be lower than in the past. But the quality is high. drinktec once again proves that it is the most important international platform.”

drinktec—innovation and incentive generator

drinktec also lived up to this claim with the innovations on display. Overall the exhibitors presented more than 700 new products and solutions in the Innovation Guide and Solution Guide digital offerings. Dr. Johannes T. Grobe, Head of Sales and Service at the KHS Group, explains why drinktec in particular is the place for premieres: “The world’s leading trade show enjoys a high standing in the industry as the most important source of innovation and incentive. It offers us the perfect opportunity to get together with our customers and partners at an international level. We enjoyed numerous chats and discussions on new investments during the show.” Marcus Ley, Vice President Global Accounts at Ecolab, adds: “In our view, drinktec is the leading marketplace where global industry experts and decision makers meet to identify innovations and state-of-the-art technologies to advance their operations. We have once more been able to connect with high quality and top management level visitors to advance our business objectives. Another unforgettable show!“ And Reinhard Streit, Vice President and Managing Director Food & Beverage Europe at CCL Label summarizes: “In a nutshell, drinktec is the best global platform if you are in the beverage business.”

drinktec—the networking platform

For visitors drinktec is also the beverage and liquid food industry’s major networking platform, as Gary Guo, Vice President, Global Supply Chain with the Coca Cola Company, confirms: “It’s so good to be back here in Munich at drinktec after five years. This is one of the premier events in our business calendar and is a must-attend for us. Together with our global bottling partners we use drinktec to explore the latest developments and emerging technologies in areas such as supply chain, manufacturing, digital transformation and sustainability, and look for opportunities to transform our business. The event this year is better than ever.”

For drinktec Director Petra Westphal and her team, the customers’ feedback is more than positive: “The preparations for this year’s event really were something of a rollercoaster ride. The effects of the pandemic and geopolitical tensions have resulted in volatile framework conditions and uncertainties. And suddenly the first trade fair day is there. The world meets here with us in Munich after five years. The joy of getting together again is indescribable. The challenges of the day are intensively discussed and solutions are presented at all of the stands – the industry’s future is being shaped here.”

The next drinktec will be held in fall 2025. The exact date will be announced in plenty of time.

Der Beitrag drinktec presents itself as the global economic summit of the beverage and liquid food industry erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Mann, 49, currently serves as corporate senior vice president and president of Global Ventures. Her team is responsible for globally scaling acquisitions and brands, including Costa Coffee and Coca-Cola’s investment in Monster Beverage Corp. A new leader for Global Ventures will be named at a later date.

Rivera, 61, has led the North America operating unit since August 2020.

About Jennifer Mann
Mann joined Coca-Cola in 1997 and went on to hold a number of roles of increasing responsibility. She became president of Global Ventures in 2019.
Prior to her role with Global Ventures, Mann served as chief people officer for the company and as chief of staff for Quincey. From 2012 to 2015, she was vice president and general manager of Coca-Cola Freestyle, where she accelerated the global expansion of Freestyle and led its development across the Coca-Cola system.
Mann’s first role with the company was as a manager in the National Customer Support division of North America. She went on to hold various customer and operational roles, including director, McDonald’s Customer & Consumer Operations; director, Good Answer; and vice president, Foodservice & On-Premise Strategy and Marketing for Coca-Cola Refreshments.
Mann is a member of the board of directors of Coca-Cola Consolidated. Mann holds a degree in accounting from Georgia State University.

Der Beitrag Jennifer Mann to succeed Alfredo Rivera as president of the North America operating unit of The Coca-Cola Company erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

“The fact that the top players are here in Munich impressively highlights the importance of drinktec”

drinktec, the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry will take place on the grounds of Messe München from September 12 to 16, 2022. The managing director responsible for the event, Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, offers an overview of the current registrations and explains why drinktec is the undisputed leading trade fair in the industry.

Just a few days to go until the start of drinktec 2022. What’s the response from exhibitors?
“After we had to postpone drinktec from 2021 to 2022, the anticipation of the exhibitors is huge, which is reflected in the positive responses. Everyone is really excited to be able to present their products to customers from all over the world live here in Munich again at last.
Of course, the past two years have also left their mark on this industry. Nonetheless, we are expecting around 1,000 exhibitors that will be showcasing their innovations and solutions along the entire value chain in a total of 12 halls on our exhibition grounds. And if our conversations with our customers are anything to go by, they will have lots to show off.”

What can visitors look forward to in particular?
“For a start, they can look forward to valuable specialist advice from the exhibitors as well as numerous world premieres. This is what drinktec is generally known for and will be the case this year as well. In addition, there are four big key topics that will be reflected all over the event. These are “Sustainable Packaging & Production,” “Digital Transformation & Digital Solutions,” “Consumer World & Product Design” and “Water & Water Management”. And naturally drinktec will also offer a comprehensive supporting program this year, with the Start-up Area, the New Beverage Concept exhibition area, “place2beer” and the premiere of two Inspiration Hubs. As an integral part of drinktec, oils+fats will also once again take place as a “trade fair within a trade fair”.”

What makes drinktec so strong?
“On the one hand of course there’s the variety of innovations and current topics. On the other hand, there’s without a doubt its undisputed leading trade fair status, which can be clearly seen in the exhibitor structure and in the financial volumes of the industry. According to Statista, for example, the revenue of the top 10 manufacturers of beverages around the world was more than USD 250 billion in 2020. Of these 10 companies, 9 are represented at drinktec. Furthermore, the world’s top 20 markets for food and packaging machines will all be at drinktec, of which more than 80 percent are among our top 20 visitor countries. Taking only Europe into account, this figure is more than 90 percent. And another impressive figure is the foreign trade volume of the markets represented at drinktec, which amounted to USD 37.8 billion in 2020. The fact that the top players belonging to the biggest sales-generating companies in the industry from around the world – in other words, the who’s who of the beverage and liquid food industry – are here in Munich impressively highlights the importance of drinktec.”

You can find more information at www.drinktec.com

Der Beitrag Three questions for Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

He has previously held key management positions with an array of leading botanical extract manufacturers, including serving as VP Sales and Marketing of Sensient Natural Extracts (formally Mazza Innovation), founding President and CEO of Layn USA Inc. (subsidiary of Layn Natural Ingredients Corp.) and VP Sales and Business Development for leading Italian and German botanical extract manufacturers.

Der Beitrag New General Manager at Euromed USA, Inc. erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

In Paris, Fi & Hi Europe is set to attract exhibitors and attendees from over 135 countries around the world. Located in the heart of the city, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is within walking distance of many hotels, restaurants and bars – making the event more visitor-friendly than ever before.

Fi & Hi Europe is the culmination of a year of Fi Global engagement with the ingredients industry, including a series of webinars, in-person events around the world, and the marketplace solution Ingredients Network.

Digitally enabled event concept

With this year’s show, Informa Markets continues its hybrid journey, setting the bar even higher with more advanced technology. The combination of online and in-person events offers attendees the best of both worlds, covering a huge variety of live and on-demand content, as well as data-driven matchmaking options, enabling a seamless all-round show experience. For example, all exhibitors will have an online profile that allows them to connect and network ahead of the event and gather leads onsite using the integrated lead scanning system. This means it has never been easier to find and connect with relevant contacts and schedule virtual or in-person meetings using the online event platform.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors and exhibitors from around the world to an event which all those involved in the ingredients industry simply cannot afford to miss,” says Julien Bonvallet, Brand Director at Informa Markets. “After many months of disruption and uncertainty, there’s a strong aspiration for meeting in-person again, and so the excitement is already gathering pace. But for those who would prefer to join online, sophisticated technology means our online event will merge seamlessly with the in-person show.”

Packed conference programme

The online event will begin on 28 November, the week before doors open at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. It features a packed conference programme covering the hottest industry topics including plant-based, health & wellbeing and reformulation, as well as category updates on some of the key trending segments. These include bakery and snacks, dairy & dairy alternatives, sustainability and much more.

The physical show will once again include popular features such as the Innovation Hub, the New Product Zone in collaboration with Innova Market Insights, and the Fi Europe Innovation Awards. The all-new Sustainability Hub will focus on sustainable food solutions from farm to fork, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about food waste, circular economy, regenerative agriculture and more.

Unique gathering of suppliers

Lots of key ingredients suppliers have already confirmed their attendance in Paris, including ADM, Beneo, Brenntag, Cargill, DSM and Ingredion, to name just a few. The four halls at the venue are already 85 per cent booked with a variety of exhibitors – both old and new – all eager to showcase the latest trends and products driving the industry. There will also be more country pavilions than ever before.

Julien adds: “I am so excited that Fi & Hi Europe will once again open its doors in Paris – this time at an impressive new venue. Bringing the world of food and beverage ingredients together has always been our main purpose, and our entire team is looking forward to providing the perfect platform for both visitors and exhibitors to source, connect and innovate.”

For more information on the show, please visit: https://www.figlobal.com/fieurope/en/home.html.

Der Beitrag Innovation & inspiration: World-leading ingredients show Fi & Hi Europe set to attract over 20,000 global attendees erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Sponsored Post

And the strong momentum around data use and process improvement is not only on the manufacturer side; retailers and consumers have long been active in these areas: Merging virtual and real worlds at the point of sale of the future is aimed at improving contact with consumers. One way to achieve that is through automation and networking with supply chain management, multimedia shopping environments for an individualised customer approach or online retailing.

An international study by the consulting firm PWC puts “digitising products and services” in second place among the top ten challenges of the next few years. The study by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) on the future of food processing machinery also points in this direction: A supporter of the drinktec trade fair, the VDMA identifies digitalization and concepts for intelligent networking and data use as a major focus for the industry’s future alignment until 2035.

Solutions for different perspectives

Digitalisation in the world of beverages and liquid food offers real added benefits for many users. One area that benefits is process engineering, where precise temperature profiles in the manufacturing process can seamlessly track production and identify quality parameters during the early stages of production. The best example of this is in the brewing process: In collaboration with equipment manufacturers and breweries, researchers used machine learning to model an efficient and more sustainable malt yield, and identify significant influencing factors for the malt yield.

Real time is another keyword. At this fall’s drinktec, machine manufacturers will offer numerous solutions for obtaining real-time information from machines: The online tracking of production and filling processes can yield higher performance, predictive maintenance, efficient conversion processes, an overview of consumption values and clear data on product quality. Providers of software solutions, such as manufacturing execution systems (MES), can already give preliminary estimates of the optimisation potential: Efficiency gains of up to 20 percent are possible for line operations, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is improved through maintenance cycles that are up to 30 percent longer, and product changes can be made at the planned time with 99 percent certainty.

While these solutions often require “only” extensive data collection and recording, another supplier goes even further: Thanks to more accurate detection of water droplets, an empty glass inspector trained in deep learning significantly reduces the output of glass bottles identified as defective. Needless to say, this saving can also be directly converted into CO₂ savings: Depending on the line output, 25 to 100 t of CO₂ can be saved through this improved rejection rate.

The possibilities of machine learning software also raise the expectations for maintenance tasks: One exhibitor at drinktec is already using this digital tool to detect anomalies in separator machinery. Condition-based maintenance with AR data glasses seems to have been taught almost everywhere and has been widely adopted by machine suppliers.

Every digital application is also another checkmark on the sustainability list. This is particularly clear in the case of cleaning technology, which uses optical realtime detection of contamination even inside containers and tanks and enables highly specialized cleaning cycles. A machine learning tool ensures that individual contamination levels are learned, detected and treated correctly.

More inspiration in the supporting program

drinktec 2022 brings together the full scope of innovation for the beverage and liquid food industry: In addition to the exhibitor portfolio, including a directory that lets visitors find providers of solutions to digitise production operations and their supply chain, visitors can also look forward to the supporting program when planning their visit: With presentations on the key topic of digitalisation at the drinktec Inspiration Hub in Halls A3 and B3, exhibitors and visitors will have the opportunity for in-depth interaction: Concentrated expertise and innovative applications offer fresh impetus for the future-oriented alignment of the industry.

Tickets are now available online at ticket purchase and ticket prices.

More information about drinktec can be found online at www.drinktec.com

Der Beitrag drinktec 2022: Faster, higher, stronger erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.

Apple production figures showing overall stability are emerging from Prognosfruit, the annual conference organized by WAPA, the World Apple and Pear Association. During its 2022 edition, held in attendance in Belgrade after two years of pandemic-related online editions, the data presented on the upcoming European apple harvest estimate a yield of 12,168,000 tons which represent a slight growth of 1 % compared to 2021.

Poland spearheads the effort, boasting 4,495,000 tons (+ 5 %), followed by Italy at 2,150,000 tons, which equals a 5 % year-on-year growth. If we look at Italy, South Tyrol – the best-performing apple-growing region – registers a slight decrease in production (- 3 %) at 912,803 tons. A similar drop is evident in the Trentino region (- 1 %) with a forecast of 507,360 tons. France ranks third at 1,468,000 tons (+ 6 %), with Germany slightly behind at 1,067,000 tons (+ 6 %). One of the growing trends is Italy’s organic harvest, which is expected to reach a new record at just under 200,000 tons (+ 4 % YOY growth), representing more than 9 % of the total apple yield.

These facts and figures will dominate the Interpoma Congress scheduled for November 17 and 18 at Fiera Bolzano during the Interpoma trade fair (November 17-19, 2022). The international apple fair will focus on the industry’s innovations and cutting-edge automated fruit-picking technology, with experts from all over the world contributing to the debate. The program will, as usual, include many new items of interest, including the Congress’ coordinator himself, Walter Guerra. He has been the Vice-Director of the Laimburg Research Center since 2021, and the Head of the Pomology Working Group from 2005 onwards. Tickets to Interpoma Congress can be purchased online, with the Early Bird ticket costing €54 until August 31; after that, tickets will cost €69.

The most important world fair on apples would not be what it is without the Interpoma Award. The 2022 edition will focus on cutting-edge water-saving technologies in apple-growing. Two prizes will be awarded this year: one will go to companies or individuals, the other to start-ups. An expert jury will analyze the products or services submitted, such as machines, systems, components or devices. Applications for the award can be submitted by filling out an application form in English and sending it to interpoma@fieramesse.com. The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2022.

Der Beitrag Interpoma 2022: stable production levels across Europe as the apple industry heads towards its congress erschien zuerst auf FRUIT PROCESSING magazine.