Industry News
Sonoco announces management changes
Global packaging company Sonoco has announced several changes to its Protective Solutions and Sonoco Alloyed divisions. [ + ]
Markem-Imaje acquires Heidelberg CSAT
Markem-Imaje has acquired Heidelberg CSAT from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen. The acquisition is effective from 1 January 2014. [ + ]
Aspartame's loss is stevia's gain
As traditional sweeteners such as aspartame fall from grace, stevia has been quietly gaining popularity with consumers. Stevia has been valued at US$110 million in 2013, but is predicted to rise to US$275 by 2017. [ + ]
Less alcohol, more flavour with special yeast
A team of researchers at the Australian Wine Research Institute has identified a strain of yeast that produces a lower level of alcohol, while preserving the flavour of the wine. [ + ]
Kellogg increases Pringles production with Malaysian facility
Kellogg Company has announced plans to build a new snack manufacturing facility in Bandar Estek in Malaysia. The facility will increase its Pringles production capacity in the Asia-Pacific region and create at least 300 local jobs. [ + ]
SGF develops fully organic stevia processing method
Standard stevia processing does not meet USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, which is a problem for processors hoping to use stevia in certified organic products. SGF has developed a new technology to overcome these obstacles. [ + ]
Even disinfectant won't kill Salmonella biofilms
Once Salmonella takes hold and forms a biofilm, it's exceptionally difficult - if not completely impossible - to kill it, even with powerful disinfectants, recent research shows. [ + ]
Suntory pays US$16 billion for Beam Inc
Suntory has announced it will acquire all outstanding shares of Beam Inc for US$16 billion. Suntory will pay US$83.50 per share, a 25% premium on Beam's closing price of US$66.97 on 10 January 2014. [ + ]
Krones spin-off to operate valve technology business
Evoguard GmbH, a subsidiary of Krones, will operate Krones' valve technology business on a stand-alone basis. Based in Nittenau, Germany, Evoguard is 100% owned by Krones. [ + ]
New year, new strategy for Frutarom
Frutarom says it will launch up to seven proprietary natural ingredients in 2014, while continuing to develop new studies and products. [ + ]
German brewers fined for price-fixing cartel
Five German breweries and seven individuals have been fined by the Bundeskartellamt (Federal Cartel Office) over illegal price-fixing agreements for beer. [ + ]
Interest in dairy with omega-3 claims remains despite market share falling
New product launches of dairy products featuring omega-3 claims have risen in the last five years; however, the share of total dairy launches with omega-3 claims has fallen from 2.4% in 2008 to 1.5% in 2013, new research from Innova Market Insights shows. [ + ]
Food science research centre to open
A new centre for food science research is to be established at Charles Sturt University, after the university secured $2.15 million in funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC). [ + ]
More evidence that nuts don't make you fat
Higher tree nut intake has been associated with lower risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity in a study of Seventh-Day Adventists conducted by Loma Linda University. [ + ]
tna heads to Snaxpo 2014
tna has announced it will showcase its bagging, seasoning, spray and distribution products at the 2014 Snaxpo exhibition, which will be held in Dallas, Texas, from 1 to 4 March. [ + ]