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Innoform Coaching and Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) are organizing the first Inno-Meeting Europe in Berlin on 6/7 October 2022. This industry get-together for the flexpack and food industry will be offered annually as part of the Inno-Talk concept.

This year, the focus will be on Flexpack & Climate Change. The conference language will be English. Speakers from Europe will discuss and present insights, products and innovations for the entire food packaging sector with a focus on flexible packaging.

Participation will be offered for a fee on-site for up to 150 participants and exhibitors and, additionally, via livestream. Networking opportunities between on-site participants, exhibitors and livestream participants will be made possible by the innovative event platform of www.eveema.com.

The Hochdorf Group’s net sales rose by a pleasing 3.8 % compared to the first half of 2021 to CHF 145.7 m. However, the result at Ebit level was burdened by the above-average increase in costs for energy, raw materials and logistics and fell to CHF –15.9 m. Despite this, the gross margin developed positively, particularly as a result of price transmissions and contract adjustments. For the second half of 2022, the company expects a continued positive operating performance and a further improvement in the gross margin.

The Food Solutions and Food Specialities divisions contributed CHF 118.3 m (+5.2 %), while the Baby Care division, which covers infant nutrition, contributed CHF 27.4 m (–1.6 %) to the net sales. The increase in sales of approximately 27 % for milk powder more than compensated for the decline in lower-margin milk and cream products (–18 %). This positive development is due to the strong increase in demand from the chocolate industry combined with the change in strategy to focus on Smart Nutrition. Hochdorf is transforming itself from a volume-oriented milk processor to a technology and needs-based milk refiner.

Ghana may be seeing the lowest cocoa crop it has produced in 12 years, as its plantations suffered from severe droughts and damage from illegal gold mining. As the world’s second largest producer of cocoa, this development could affect cocoa prices as reduced supply is likely to put upward pressure on market prices. However, other market forces, including weaker demand, determine the extent of the impact.

Early data from anonymous sources suggests that the country will harvest approximately 685,000 t of cocoa beans in its mid-crop season, which runs from July to September. In comparison, Ghana’s crop in the previous year reached a record of around 1.05 m t.

Cocobod, Ghana’s cocoa regulator, previously predicted an output of 950,000 t. It has since revised this estimate after the country was struck with unexpectedly long dry spells early on. The situation is worsened by small-scale gold miners who have reportedly destroyed over 19,000 ha (about 2 %) of cocoa plantations with their illegal mining.

In comparison with Ghana’s record-breaking cocoa production just a year ago with already 965,493 t in June, it has only produced 641,000 t in the same month this year. Current estimates are for Ghana to reach 850,000 t of cocoa output in October, the start of the next season.

In its half-year results, Royal DSM saw organic sales in its Food & Beverages division boosted by 10 %, with net sales of EUR 753 m. The company reaped the benefits of “resilient demand” for packaged food, with only limited down trading. In particular, “good growth” was observed in the categories of dairy, baking, beverages and savoury.

The Dutch ingredients supplier’s overall profits were largely led by its Health, Nutrition & Bioscience business, which delivered sales up by 17 %, organic sales up 10 % and adjusted Ebitda up 8 %. “Our Health, Nutrition & Bioscience businesses delivered a good half-year performance, underpinned by resilient market demand and strong pricing,” comments Geraldine Matchett, Co-CEO of DSM. “While acknowledging the challenging global macroeconomic environment, we see continuing good market demand, positive pricing momentum and favourable foreign exchange effects supporting our full-year outlook.”

DSM reports that business conditions in the second quarter of the year are similar to its first quarter, with “good market demand across all segments.” Volumes impacted by temporary supply chain challenges – which mainly affected savoury and beverages – led to a backlog of orders. However, the business saw a strong exit rate into Q3.

Food ingredients supplier Azelis has extended its distribution agreement with KMC, a Danish potato-based ingredients provider. With the addition of KMC’s portfolio of potato starches and proteins, Azelis broadens its food and nutrition offering and builds on an existing partnership in India. The deal also strengthens Azelis’ lateral value chain and food and nutrition presence in New Zealand.

“As (environmental) sustainability is essential to our business, we are aligned with Azelis’ goal of developing healthier solutions that incorporate plant-based ingredients for the Asia Pacific region,” says Jens Helmer Larsen, Director, KMC Asia Pacific. “With Azelis’ market knowledge, strong sales capabilities and dedication to (environmental) sustainability, we are confident that together we can look forward to continued growth in New Zealand’s food & nutrition industry.”

KMC is a cooperative owned by Danish starch-potato farmers that grow, develop and produce potato-based ingredients. The company’s product portfolio is used in various applications, from plant-based alternatives, nutrition and protein fortification and dairy alternatives, to bakery and sugar confectionery. The partnership allows Azelis to offer more sustainable and plant-derived food solutions and formulations.

Kerry’s financial results for the first half of the year saw a revenue increase of 13.3 % to EUR 4.1 bn, representing 15.2 % organic growth overall. CEO Edmond Scanlon is pleased with the company’s overall performance and business momentum, despite inflationary challenges and geopolitical volatility in a highly dynamic marketplace: “Volume growth was solid in both retail and foodservice channels, driven by an increased level of innovation activity. This growth was broad-based across our regions, led by excellent performances in Beverage, Meat and Bakery end-use markets in particular. We also made good strategic progress by expanding our footprint and completing several strategic acquisitions in the period.”

Taste & Nutrition reported revenue increased by 27.5 % to EUR 3.445 bn, driven by volume growth, positive pricing, favourable foreign currency impacts and a positive contribution from acquisitions net of disposals. Overall growth across the group’s key growth platforms was strong, led by increased demand for Kerry’s range of food waste solutions, with good growth across authentic taste and plant-based solutions.

In its newly released half-year results for 2022, dairy giant FrieslandCampina’s Food & Beverage business group performance benefitted from the recovery of the European out-of-home markets and high butter market prices. However, margins in the retail channel were under pressure from the significant rise in the cost of raw materials that necessitated price increases.

The Netherlands-based multinational dairy cooperative’s operating profit in the first half of 2022 grew substantially to EUR 328 m (first half of 2021: EUR 130 m). Meanwhile, net profit prominently rose to EUR 139 m (first half of 2021: EUR 62 m) due to higher commodity dairy prices and the recovery in infant nutrition activities. At EUR 89 m, the operating cash flow was at a lower level. The decrease was due to higher working capital, partly compensated by higher results.

CEO Hein Schumacher highlights a “dynamic” first half of 2022 for the company. Adjusted for currency translation effects, revenue rose from EUR 5.5 to 6.5 bn, primarily due to price increases, higher commodity dairy prices and the recovery of European out-of-home markets.