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  25/07/2025 | Ingredients

Beneo joins forces in ambitious sustainable rice farming project in Vietnam

The project, funded by the Government of Flanders, will train rice farmers on Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standards.

The project, funded by the Government of Flanders, will train rice farmers on Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standards. Beneo, manufacturer of functional ingredients for food, feed and pharma is partnering with international non-governmental organisation, Rikolto, and climate technology company, CarbonFarm, to launch a three-year project, funded by the Government of Flanders, promoting sustainable rice production in Vietnam.

As one of the world’s largest rice exporters, Vietnam relies heavily on this staple crop for both economic stability and food security. However, the industry faces significant challenges related to sustainability, climate and environmental impact. Globally, rice cultivation practices account for around 10% of methane emissions and more than a third of irrigation water worldwide. Vietnam’s farming sector struggles with inefficient water use, overapplication of fertilisers and pesticides, and the burning of rice residues – all of which contribute to soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and higher greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable rice production can almost halve greenhouse gas emissions and reduce water usage by 30%, without any loss in yield. To reduce the environmental impact of rice production and encourage the transition to sustainable, climate-resilient rice cultivation, an integrated approach is essential. This is the driving force behind the new project launched by Beneo and its partners. Funded by the Government of Flanders with approximately 800,000 €, it is part of the Flanders International Climate Action Programme.

The project, which kicked off in April during a Belgian state visit to Vietnam, will train at least 1,000 farmers in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta as of summer 2025 on sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices in line with the Sustainable Rice Platform standards (SRP). This includes guidance on efficient water management and responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers, with demonstration fields used to showcase practical applications of sustainable rice farming. Innovative technologies, such as satellites and digital logbooks, will be used to monitor the farming practices and scientifically measure emissions and water usage. As part of the project collaboration, Beneo is responsible for developing the market for SRP-certified rice ingredients, with Rikolto leading the training of Vietnamese farmers and CarbonFarm, a climate-tech company focused on decarbonising rice cultivation, will deploy digital and satellite tools to support data collection, sustainability assessments, and project validation. Beneo’s production site in Wijgmaal, Belgium, will process the SRP-certified rice into high-quality starch, flour and protein ingredients for the food and pet food industries. Beneo aims to process at least 10,000 t of sustainably grown rice throughout the three-year project, with the first rice volumes expected to be available in the autumn of 2025. Beneo is already sourcing SRP-certified rice from other origins, ensuring manufacturers can use Beneo’s high-quality ingredients to optimise texture and nutritional composition in a wide range of products.

climate-action-programme.be/

 
 
  25/07/2025 | Packaging

Discover the Power of GS1 Digital Link with Markem-Imaje at Fachpack

www.markem-imaje.com/

 
 
  23/07/2025 | IT/Logistics

project group of companies and Kawasaki Robotics: modular automation in a small space

Allgäu-based manufacturer Greinwald relies on expertise and technology for customised robot solutions.

Allgäu-based manufacturer Greinwald relies on expertise and technology for customised robot solutions. The project group has specialized in the development of sophisticated automation solutions for packaging processes for many years. International customers from numerous industries such as food, beverages, hygiene, wood, steel and construction trust in the system integrator based in Kranenburg (NRW) who delivers tailored solutions adapted to each client’s specific requirements — even when dealing with variable batch sizes or tight spatial constraints at production sites.

This was also the case with a solution for Greinwald: the food manufacturer from the Allgäu region, known for its seasoning mixes, soups, sauces, and dressings. The collaboration originated through a recommendation from can manufacturer J. M. Schmitt — a long-standing customer of the project group and supplier to Greinwald.

Project manager Ella Liversage, who supports numerous customer projects across the board, is convinced by Kawasaki Robotics: "We know that Kawasaki is a pioneer in robotics. For us, the priority is working with a dependable partner that helps us minimize downtime and ensures reliable performance.” The solution implemented at Greinwald includes two identical robotic systems, each equipped with a high-speed Kawasaki CP180L palletizing robot—and each system integrates two pick-up and two feed stations.

With a maximum reach of 3,255 mm and a payload capacity of up to 180 kg, the CP180L serves as the powerful centerpiece of this compact and efficient automation setup. The cans, which are produced in variable sizes, are stacked in up to 15 layers with a maximum total height of 1,765 mm on an Euro pallet. Efficiency was crucial to the project right from the start: the target was up to 160 cans and 3 layers per robot per minute. 

During the palletizing process, empty pallets are drawn from a magazine via a conveyor system and placed onto one of four palletizing stations. Depending on the recipe selected, either a layer of product or an intermediate layer is added. The PROPAL gripper head, designed in-house by the project group, can approach all 4 pallet positions and all 4 layer tables.

Filled cans are conveyed from a staging table to the system using a row pusher and storage system, then organized into layers—either aligned or staggered as needed. Once a pallet is fully stacked, it’s moved out of the system via a transfer carriage to the wrapping station. After wrapping, the pallet is ready for removal. If labeling is required, the optional PROLABEL pallet labeling system, also developed by project group, applies the necessary identifiers.

www.kawasakirobotics.de

 
 
  23/07/2025 | Ingredients

The Uelzena Group continues to grow and strengthens its future sustainability

The Uelzena Group successfully concluded the 2024 financial year and consolidated its market position in a persistently challenging market environment.

The Uelzena Group successfully concluded the 2024 financial year and consolidated its market position in a persistently challenging market environment. The company has been able to build on the positive trend of previous years with sales of approxi-mately €1.03 billion and a group net profit of €17.4 million. A good equity ratio of 37.9 % and the increased fixed assets of approximately €190 million also highlight the economic stability of the cooperatively organised Group.

Uelzena sent a particularly positive signal to its milk producers: The average milk pay-out was approx. 47.5 euro cents per kg raw milk with a standard content of 4.0 % fat and 3.4 % protein – a significant increase over the previous year. Although the sup-plied raw milk volume declined by about 5 % to 741 million kg, this was caused by the outbreak of bluetongue disease in the supply region. Nevertheless, the Group achieved strong growth, particularly for its milk fats and speciality products. For in-stance, sales of milk fats grew by more than €72 million to €348 million, speciality products gained about €10 million to reach €170 million and the cheese segment saw gains of €11 million, an increase of 9 %. This more than compensated for the de-clines in milk powder, condensed milk products and delicatessen products.

www.uelzena.de/nachhaltigkeit www.uelzena.de

 
 
  23/07/2025 | Trade Fair, Packaging

dvi: 37 winners of the German Packaging Award 2025

Over 200 submissions from 15 countries and three continents entered the race for the German Packaging Award 2025 across all materials.

Over 200 submissions from 15 countries and three continents entered the race for the German Packaging Award 2025 across all materials. After thoroughly scrutinising every one of them, the independent jury of experts honoured 37 outstanding innovations with the coveted award. The German Packaging Institute (dvi), as the organiser of Europe’s largest packaging exhibition, congratulates all the winners and presents all the winning innovations on its website. The dvi cordially invites you to attend FACHPACK in Nuremberg on 23 September 2025 for the award ceremony and the announcement of the three Gold Awards.

The 37 German Packaging Award 2025 winners come from Germany, Iran, Austria, Switzerland and the USA. The dvi also received innovations from China, England, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Serbia, Spain, the Czech Republic and Turkey.

The innovations cover the entire range of materials. They use glass, wood, rigid or flexible plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and corrugated cardboard. Looking at the exhibition categories, the jury awarded four innovations for functionality, four for design, a total of 14 in the sustainability segments, one each for the New Material, Packaging Machines (Engineering, Technology, Software) categories and three each for Cost-Effectiveness and Product Presentation. Two ingenious solutions were also awarded in the Young Talent category.

The winning solutions cover the entire range of packaging services in the B2C and B2B sectors – from product, shipping, transport and outer packaging to strapping, displays and bubble wrap, labels, in-mould labels and machines. They mark significant progress in the diverse aspects of sustainability and circular economy, product protection, convenience, handling, branding and product presentation, aid food and FMCG, construction and spare parts, chemical liquids, solar panels and heat pumps.

www.verpackungspreis.de

 
 
  22/07/2025 | Trade Fair, Packaging

Leibinger: experience the future of coding & marking

Leibinger unveils striking new stand concept at Fachpack 2025

Leibinger unveils striking new stand concept at Fachpack 2025 Visitors to Leibinger’s stand at Fachpack 2025 will quickly experience that packaging communication is entering an all-new dimension. What exactly is behind this spectacular new look will remain their secret for now. All they can say is that it will be a premiere unlike anything ever seen before at this trade fair.

In the middle of the exhibition hall, the stage is being set for visionary technology and for systems that deliver above and beyond the expected – a captivating expression of genuine quality and excellence at Leibinger. The systems significantly reduce the workload for operating personnel, minimise sources of error and ensure impeccable clarity on each and every package. All so that our customers can focus on their core business. The demands placed on packaging codes and markings are increasing. As of 2027, the GS1 will be recommending the use of 2D codes worldwide. These codes can carry far more information than traditional barcodes – including batch numbers, expiry dates, traceability data as well as links to further information. Many companies are now faced with considerable technical and organisational adjustments. Those who prepare early will be able to secure and future-proof their processes, while avoiding unnecessary transitional solutions. Leibinger systems process variable data in real time and apply machine-readable codes and markings with absolute reliability. They are stable, precise and surprisingly cost-effective.

Packaging processes are undergoing real change. Data flows directly from order planning all the way through to the production line. Coding and marking systems have to deliver more than ever before. And Leibinger printers are designed to integrate seamlessly into digital production environments. Leibinger Connect provides invaluable practical support for operation and maintenance. Companies benefit from a comprehensive overview of their coding and marking processes – without the need for additional effort or expense.

www.leibinger-group.com

 
 
  22/07/2025 | Trade Fair, Packaging

Pack Expo Las Vegas celebrates 30 years of innovation

A launch pad for packaging and processing breakthroughs, the biennial event has experienced significant expansion and influence.

A launch pad for packaging and processing breakthroughs, the biennial event has experienced significant expansion and influence. The fair in Las Vegas, one of North America’s most comprehensive packaging and processing events is celebrating a milestone: 2025 marks 30 years since the show’s debut. Today, Pack Expo Las Vegas continues to be a global hub for industry innovation and collaboration.

Show producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, has elevated PACK EXPO Las Vegas from a regional trade show to a global industry force—expanding its scale, influence, and relevance across international markets.

This year, the show will span over 1 million net square feet, feature 2,300 exhibitors, and expects to attract 35,000 attendees from more than 40 vertical markets. “Pack Expo Las Vegas has always been more than a trade show—it’s where the future of packaging and processing takes shape,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “For 30 years, we’ve been proud to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and spotlight the technologies shaping tomorrow’s supply chains. As we look ahead, we remain focused on the forces transforming our industry: automation, AI, sustainability, and workforce development.”

Since its launch in 1995, each show edition has introduced cutting-edge technologies, from the earliest automation solutions to today’s advances in AI, robotics, and sustainable packaging solutions. Pack Expo Las Vegas has been at the forefront of innovations over the past 30 years, and continues to evolve like the industry it serves.

www.packexpo.com

 
 
  16/07/2025 | Ingredients

Nutriswiss oil mill obtains organic certification

Flexible capacities for processing Swiss-grown and imported organic oilseeds.

Flexible capacities for processing Swiss-grown and imported organic oilseeds. Nutriswiss AG has received organic certification for its oil mill in Wohlen, Switzerland, paving the way for the flexible expansion of its operations in the production of organic edible oils. The Bio Suisse certification confirms the company’s ability to process locally grown organic Swiss oilseeds directly at source and refine high-quality organic seeds from within the EU in adherence with strict regulatory and traceability standards.

Around 85% of the oils and fats refined and supplied by Nutriswiss are plant-based, with the share of organic products continuing to rise. These raw materials are largely purchased on local and international markets or provided by Nutriswiss customers for contract refining. The organic certification of Nutriswiss’s own oil mill in Wohlen, canton of Aargau, closes a key gap in the company’s organic portfolio.

Pierre Nording, Head of Procurement at Nutriswiss AG, is responsible for implementing the company’s organic strategy on site. “The oil mill has been pressing edible oil for Nutriswiss since 2008. In 2022, we took over the facility entirely and decided to extend our organic offering across the full value chain. The first organic audit for oilseeds took place as early as autumn 2023,” he explains.

The Wohlen site primarily processes rapeseed and sunflower seeds grown in Switzerland, including high oleic (HO) varieties. These are rich in heat-resistant oleic acid and particularly well suited for frying and deep-frying applications. The site also processes soybeans and linseed, as well as imported organic raw materials.

Two production lines are in place: the larger one – consisting of a pre-press and main press – primarily processes rapeseed with a capacity of approximately 3.5 t/h. In addition, a smaller single-stage press handles flexible production of smaller oil batches at around 500 kg per hour. Full traceability of all batches and process steps is ensured. Organic seeds and oils are stored in dedicated silos and tanks at the site. During product transitions, any intermediate phases are processed separately in compliance with regulations and marketed without the organic label. A total of nine tanks provide interim storage for up to 1,900 t of crude oil, which is then transported by Centravo Group tankers for refining in Lyss. The adjacent organic-certified Freiamt Grain Centre provides total storage capacity for 24,000 t of grain and oilseeds.

While the share of organically grown oilseeds within Switzerland remains low, a significant portion of the organic seeds processed comes from imports - an area in which Nutriswiss expects to see sustainable future growth. Thanks to full organic certification across all internal production stages, Pierre Nording believes the company is well positioned to leverage this opportunity: “In addition to the Bio Suisse label, we are certified under the EU Organic Regulation and the China National Organic Standard. Batches are kept just as strictly separate as conventional and organic oils, in line with respective regulatory requirements.”

www.nutriswiss.uk/en/

 
 
  15/07/2025 | Packaging

Somic wins Red Dot Award “Product Design 2025” for Somic 434 cartoning machine

Somic Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG is delighted to receive a special award: the state-of-the-art Somic 434 end-of-line packaging machine has been honored with the prestigious Red Dot Award “Product ...

Somic Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG is delighted to receive a special award: the state-of-the-art Somic 434 end-of-line packaging machine has been honored with the prestigious Red Dot Award “Product Design 2025.” This makes the Somic 434 one of the best product designs of the year.

The international Red Dot jury, consisting of 43 experts from 21 countries, was particularly impressed by the successful combination of complex technology and a well-thought-out, ergonomic machine concept. The Somic 434 groups products such as bags, folding cartons, cans, or jars and gently packs them into shelf-ready cartons ready for shipment. With its modular design, it can be flexibly adapted – for example, for applications in the food or cosmetics industry.

In addition to its technical performance, the jury also highlighted the machine's design: generous glass surfaces, a slim frame construction, and LED corner lighting impressively showcase the technology. The soundproof supply cabinet and intuitive touch controls also ensure a safe and ergonomic working environment. “This award is a great honor for the entire SOMIC team,” says CEO Patrick Bonetsmüller. “It underlines our claim to combine technology, functionality, and design at the highest level.”

www.somic-packaging.com

 
 
  10/07/2025 | Industry, International

Barry Callebaut: chocolate volume impacted by exceptional cost-plus pricing

The Barry Callebaut Group reported sales volume of 1.602 million tonnes, down 6.3%, for the first nine months of the fiscal year 2024/25 (ended on May 31, 2025).

The Barry Callebaut Group reported sales volume of 1.602 million tonnes, down 6.3%, for the first nine months of the fiscal year 2024/25 (ended on May 31, 2025).  

Sales volume decreased 9.5% in the third quarter, as the highly volatile market environment impacted customer behaviour, with particular tariff-related uncertainty in North America, as well as the impact of prioritization in the Global Cocoa business.

Sales revenue amounted to CHF 10.947 bn, an increase of 56.7% in local currencies (+ 49.5% in CHF). According to the company, growth was driven by the successful pass through of significantly higher cocoa prices, which Barry Callebaut manages through its cost-plus pricing model for the majority of its business.

“Over the past 18 months our industry has faced unprecedented disruption and volatility. Consistent with our commercial model, we have priced through the cocoa price increases to our customers. Meanwhile, customers are managing end-consumer price increases, causing short-term B2B disruption, further impacting our volume. The third quarter was impacted by our prioritization of volumes in the Global Cocoa business. We are working closely with our customers to develop more cost-effective solutions, leveraging the comprehensive strength of our full chocolate solutions portfolio. At the same time, our BC Next Level investment program is enhancing our agility and resilience to cocoa bean price volatility, with an emphasis on optimizing returns and reducing leverage,” said Peter Feld, CEO of Barry Callebaut Group.

 

barry-callebaut.com

 
 
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