Frederick Hiam is a family-owned business in the UK that has been specialising in fresh produce for nearly 100 years. The vegetable processor has now partnered with Wyma Solutions to modernise its parsnip processing operations, in a collaboration that spanned two project phases: Phase One: Installation of a new washing and intake line. Phase Two: Implementation of advanced trimming technology, including the Optical Roto-Cut system. The challenge Frederick Hiam faced increasing difficulty sourcing labour for manual processing and recognised the need for a solution to ensure operational effic ..read more

With a federal election just around the corner, the Treasurer, Jim Charmers, delivered cost-of-living relief measures, such as tax cuts and energy rebates, in the federal Budget on Tuesday, 25 March 2025. But are there any measures that could provide help for manufacturers in this modest pre-election budget? RSM Australia National Manufacturing Leader Louis Quintal said the 2025 federal Budget will see the government continue its focus on fostering growth and resilience within the domestic manufacturing sector through its flagship ‘Future Made in Australia’ Act. Announced in last ye ..read more

Butter is a key ingredient in many baked goods, but for those who are lactose intolerant, finding a good alternative can be a challenge. Vegan butters can sometimes have the wrong consistency, or produce bakes that are not quite right, leaving bakers frustrated or unwilling to try dairy-free alternatives. In Physics of Fluids, by AIP Publishing, researchers from the University of Strathclyde examined the properties of several vegan or dairy-free butter alternatives inside one of the region’s most well-known snacks: Scottish shortbread. “We have a PhD student in the group who is a vegan, and h ..read more

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the use of a preservative derived from mushrooms. Chitosan is a substance with antimicrobial properties found in the shells of crustaceans and cell walls of fungi. The application seeks approval to use mushroom chitosan, extracted from white button mushrooms, as a preservative in food and beverage products. FSANZ’s safety assessment found no public health or safety concerns with the proposed use of mushroom chitosan. It is approved for use in other countries including the US, Canada, Japan and Sout ..read more

With 60+ years of post-harvest equipment design, manufacturing and installation success for potato, onion and carrots, Wyma Solutions can provide complete end-to-end vegetable processing line solutions.  The company’s experience includes washing, packing, structures and conveyors through to electrical integration, project management, third-party integrations, automation and programming.  Each element is optimised to improve the overall efficiency, which should allow users to get the best from every harvest. For more information, click here ..read more

The Flikweert Vision Quality Grader is designed to deliver precise, automated quality control through advanced camera imaging.  The system captures detailed product images, analysing them against the user’s customised quality parameters. Users can take full control to set and adjust tolerance levels for each product characteristic. Designed for onion or potato processing, features of the grader include low drop height and capacity up to 20 t/h depending on potato/onion size distribution. Flikweert Vision equipment is available exclusively through Wyma Solutions in New Zealand and Austral ..read more

Preparations are ramping up for Hort Connections 2025, which will take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 4 to 6 June. The conference and trade show, co-hosted by AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand (IFPA ANZ), has grown every year since it was first held, with over 4000 delegates from across the industry attending last year in Melbourne. This year once again the event will feature a program of inspiring speakers providing their insights into the key challenges, opportunities and hot topics in horticulture. Numerous networking ..read more

The thermal behaviour of epoxy systems is fascinating from a molecular perspective. Standard epoxy systems achieve their chemical resistance and strength through a tightly cross-linked polymer matrix. However, this same molecular structure becomes their Achilles heel when temperatures rise above 60°C. At this point, the polymer chains begin absorbing thermal energy, increasing their molecular mobility. This process, known as glass transition, transforms the rigid epoxy into a more plastic state. Not all epoxy systems are created equal, though. Novolac epoxies, modified with phenolic structure ..read more

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) welcomed the ACCC’s final report on its inquiry into supermarket pricing, released on Friday, 21 March 2025. The AFGC said in its statement that food and grocery suppliers work collaboratively with retailers to ensure Australians have access to a wide range of high-quality products. A fair and competitive market is essential to ensuring the long-term viability of the sector. “The ACCC’s report acknowledges the significant impact of rising costs, including rising labour, energy, cocoa, [and] sugar, on suppliers and consumers. These pressures have ..read more

Seedlab Australia is welcoming a fresh cohort of ambitious entrepreneurs into Bootcamp 11, continuing its mission to accelerate the growth of early-stage FMCG businesses across Australia and New Zealand. The six-week intensive program is designed to equip founders with essential business fundamentals, strategic insights and a supportive community, to help them refine their offerings and prepare for scalable success. Kenna MacTavish, Seedlab Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the significant number of first-to-market products that stand out in Bootcamp 11, reflecting the evolving ..read more