Freeze-drying removes water from a substance by exposing it to a vacuum, allowing the product to retain nutritional value and quality. [ + ]

Two PIDA award winners from 2022 — Caps & Closures and BioPak — have been shortlisted as finalists for three WorldStar Packaging Special Awards. [ + ]

Easter celebrations will be in full swing this year, sparking improved revenue for seasonal chocolates, according to the latest Mintel research. [ + ]

Coles Group has announced that it will acquire two automated milk processing facilities from Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) for approximately $105 million. [ + ]

The FMM recently met to consider food regulation and policy matters, concerning infant formula, pregnancy warning labels, the kava standard and Indigenous foods. [ + ]

Queensland avocados have attracted attention from industry representatives at the World Avocado Congress, which took place in Auckland from 2–5 April. [ + ]

Bonfiglioli's Cranbourne premises is fitted with 40 kW of solar power and covers 1800 m², of which warehousing and production makes up 1400 m². [ + ]

Better Juice has announced the successful completion of a series of pilot trials for reducing simple sugars in natural berry and other fruit juices. [ + ]

Aussie researchers have uncovered the potential of using photosynthetic algae to capture carbon dioxide produced as a byproduct of a wide variety of applications. [ + ]

AIP is running a webinar to provide an opportunity to hear from packaging experts and better understand the current state of soft plastics and flexibles in Australia.  [ + ]

European Bioplastics has called on the EU Parliament and Council to make single-serve coffee units mandatorily compostable. [ + ]

For the first time, interpack will host an event to bring together women in the sector to promote diversity and benefit from each other's experiences. [ + ]

Australian food packaging manufacturer Confoil has ramped up production of Smoothwall trays at its local plant in Melbourne, to meet the growing demand. [ + ]

On 20 March, GEA opened the doors of the 1500 m² Technology Centre (XLAB) of its Slicing & Packaging Business Unit, which will be used for product testing and training. [ + ]

Following a months-long infant formula shortage in the US in 2022, the FDA has released a strategy to help improve resiliency of the US infant formula market. [ + ]