CP Kelco, a nature-based ingredient solutions business, has completed a $60 million expansion in production capacity for its citrus fiber product line, based on strong customer demand and market potential. The production line expansion for NUTRAVA and KELCOSENS Citrus Fiber in the company’s facility in Matão, Brazil, increases the total capacity to approximately 5000 MT, establishing CP Kelco as a leading citrus fiber supplier to food, beverage and consumer product manufacturers worldwide. This expansion provides options to incrementally expand capacity even further in the future based o ..read more

Greenyard has acquired the Belgian company Crème de la Crème, a food tech expert that develops, manufactures, and sells ice (gelato) products and frozen desserts, with a clear focus on the pure-plant category. With this transaction, Greenyard acquires over 25 years of additional in-house experience in the production of dairy-free frozen desserts, such as frozen cups and ice on a stick. The acquisition follows that of Italian pure-plant ice Gigi in the spring of 2023. It fits in Greenyard’s strategy to create a full range of healthy, pure-plant products for any moment of the day. The Greenyard ..read more

Kite Packaging, a prominent name in the packaging industry, has launched its latest additions: printed pizza boxes and fish & chip boxes. These new products further enhance Kite’s comprehensive range of food packaging solutions, catering to the diverse needs of businesses in the food industry. Printed pizza boxes  Kite’s classic takeaway pizza boxes serve as the ideal packaging for transporting the nation’s favourite fast food straight from busy kitchens into the eagerly awaiting hands of customers. Available in 9”, 12” and 14”, these pizza boxes accommodate different pizza sizes and ..read more

Aldi has moved to 100% recycled plastic (rPet) for its own-brand soft drinks and bottled water range in England and Wales. The move, which is rolling out across all products found in the soft drinks section of its stores, makes Aldi the first UK supermarket to shift its entire own-label soft drinks category to 100% recycled content – excluding only the cap and label. Switching to 100% recycled content is expected to save around 10,000 tonnes of virgin plastic annually, and forms part of the supermarket’s target to include 50% recycled content into its plastic packaging across the business by ..read more

In a significant initiative to bolster the British pork industry, Lidl GB has announced an investment of £500 million into the sector. As the fourth-largest retailer in the fresh pork category with an 11% market share, Lidl says it is taking action to address recent sector-wide challenges. These include rising costs, a Chinese import ban on EU pork, and butcher shortages, which led to a significant backlog of healthy pigs and financial worries for producers. Being the second-largest retailer to have a 100% everyday fresh British pork pledge, the move represents a doubling down by the discount ..read more

A Yorkshire gin-maker has launched a crowd-funding campaign to promote sustainable growth and to encourage investors to become part of its operation. Whitby Distillery’s campaign will support its planned expansion through trade, retail, tourism and export. The gin-maker’s £400,000 equity crowd-funding campaign is being run by crowd-funding specialists Seedrs. Whitby Distillery, makers of Whitby Gin, was founded in 2017 by Jessica Slater and Luke Pentith who have grown their business from a passion project to one whose gin is stocked in more than 200 outlets across the UK. Luke Pentith explain ..read more

It has been officially confirmed: Following a resolution taken by the Executive Board, Krones aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040 – along the entire value chain. Net-zero target submitted to the SBTi “In view of the latest forecasts issued by climate researchers, each and every one of us needs to know that our planet has reached a dangerous turning point,” explains Krones’ CEO Christoph Klenk. “As far as climate change is concerned, all of us – businesses, politicians, individuals – are in this together. Even now, it is still possible to protect the conditions nece ..read more

Ginsters has appointed Stephanie Hildon as its new Managing Director, from 7th May 2024. Stephanie, currently Chief Executive of Langmead Herbs, will step into the role following current MD, Sam Mitchell’s move to become the MD for the Savoury Pastry category at Samworth Brothers. Stephanie has been in her role at Langmead Herbs since February 2018, after 25 years in commercial roles selling products ranging from baby food to sofas. During her time at Langmead Herbs, Stephanie has almost doubled its value, growing it from a £13m business to a £24m business. She has achieved this by turning lo ..read more

WMH has announced the launch of its brand new website. Having been up and running for over 10 years the old site was beginning to look dated and a fresh approach was required. Working with Neil Bennett of NB&Co in Plymouth, WMH developed a new website that gives it a fresh modern look and gives the flexibility to make changes in the future. As part of the development, WMH has also compiled a corporate video that gives viewers an insight into what WMH does and how. You can see this video in the background on the homepage of the new website, where you can also click through to watch the vid ..read more

Lir Chocolates, an Irish chocolatier, has introduced its limited-edition Baileys Chocolate Eurovision Microphone, as part of the long-term licence partnership it has with the Irish cream liqueur. With Baileys being the official partner of Eurovision, Lir Chocolates has timed the launch to coincide with the competition which takes place in early May. The product will be available to purchase from Ocado and selected retailers, RSP £4. Crafted in the shape of a microphone from creamy milk chocolate, the product features a ‘snap off’ top design to reveal a hollow base that can be filled with a Ba ..read more