Krones, Germany, has signed a cooperation agreement with the folding-carton producer and multipack specialist A&R Carton Bremen GmbH, Bremen, Germany. Krones and A&R Carton will be working together worldwide in the field of packages and packaging machinery. [ + ]

This year, the Australian packaging company tna is celebrating its 30th birthday. Starting from scratch in 1982, the company has now installed more than 6000 production lines in 120 countries and has an annual turnover in excess of $45 million. [ + ]

An event focused specifically on phosphorus scarcity and food security will be hosted by UTS from 29 February to 2 March 2012. [ + ]

In the UK food factories are hosting open days in a government sponsored scheme aimed at inspiring school children to consider careers in manufacturing. [ + ]

Intertek Cantox’s Food and Nutrition Group has announced that it will be expanding its food regulatory services in Asia, opening a new office in Beijing. [ + ]

75% of Australia's sugar crushing capacity will be owned by offshore investors (up from just 16% in 2010) if Mitr Phol's offer for Maryborough Sugar Factory is successful and a 6 million tonne sugar surplus for 2011/12 is predicted by Rabobank in its latest report. [ + ]

Design Futures has given a self-heating canned food product a complete rebrand, bringing it into the 21st century and making it more appealing to consumers. [ + ]

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has established an SME forum to cater for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Australia’s $10 billion food and grocery manufacturing sector. The Forum is intended to serve the needs of smaller food and grocery manufacturers and explore the issues that affect SMEs. [ + ]

While the strong Australian dollar is making life difficult for Australian manufacturers, one upside is that imported goods are more affordable than ever. Austech 2012 is a great opportunity to take advantage of the strong Australian dollar. [ + ]

ISFAR, the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research, has published its response to the alcohol chapter of the literature review to support the revision of the Dietary Guidelines for Australians. It offered a general forum comment and 10 specific comments. [ + ]

Following the contamination of exported foods with DEHP last year, Malaysia had enforced strict border controls on imported food products from Taiwan. Malaysian officials have announced that border controls on Taiwanese food imports will be lifted as of 1 March 2012, with the exception of cookies and fruit drinks. [ + ]

George Weston Foods Limited - one of Australia’s largest food processors - was convicted and fined $50,000 at the Castlemaine Magistrates’ Court on 17 February after pleading guilty to one count of failing to provide a safe plant, after a worker’s hand was crushed after being caught in a machine. [ + ]

Goodman Fielder has revealed it suffered a 76.9% drop in profits over the last 12 months. The company cited increased costs, reduced selling prices due to competition and natural disasters as factors contributing to its declining profits. [ + ]

A New Zealand High Court decision has forced the NZ government to reconsider allowing a Chinese company to purchase a group of 16 dairy farms. [ + ]

Food processors could experience increased pressure to reduce salt in food products, following the publication of a study linking salt intake with gastric cancer. [ + ]