News

French food ingredients supplier Azelis has acquired Quimdis, a French distributor of food ingredients and specialty chemicals for other sectors. This acquisition strengthens Azelis’ offering to fast-growing and attractive markets while also enhancing the position of Azelis France in the life sciences sector. Quimdis now specializes in the ingredients distribution and formulation development, with solid positions in the French market and with sales into more than 45 countries.

Givaudan Group’s flavour business was impacted during the first six months of the year, as its foodservice segment struggled with Covid-19 pandemic outcomes. However, in its most recent financial overview, the flavour house reports a “strong recovery” in the second quarter due to lifted out-of-home restrictions in certain markets. Robust growth was achieved across most product segments and geographies, with the mature markets growing at 6.1 % and the high growth markets at 10.4 % on a like-for-like basis.

The company’s sales for the first six months of the year were reported at CHF 3.4 bn, an increase of 7.9 % on a like-for-like basis and 4.7 % in CHF. The Taste & Wellbeing segment reported sales of CHF 1.8 bn, an increase of 6.1 % on a like-for-like basis and 2.5 % in CHF.

Givaudan’s gross profit increased by 8.9 % from CHF 1.4 bn in 2020 to CHF 1.5 bn in 2021. Due to high operating leverage related to the strong sales volume growth and cost discipline, the gross margin increased to 43.9 % in 2021 compared to 42.2 % in 2020.

“I am really pleased with our strong performance in the first half of 2021, with all parts of our business contributing to the excellent financial results and a strong contribution from our 2025 strategic growth areas,” says CEO Gilles Andrier. Among its targets for 2025, Givaudan is aiming to achieve organic sales growth of 4 to 5 % on a like-for-like basis and free cash flow of at least 12 %, both measured as an average over the five-year period strategy cycle.

Barry Callebaut is teaming up with French vanilla supplier Prova to launch a new charter in Madagascar that will boost its vanilla sourcing credentials. The tie-up will bring 100 % sustainability to Barry Callebaut’s North American “Better For You” chocolate portfolio.

In addition, the Swiss chocolate giant is moving toward 100 % sustainably sourced cacao within this product range. These developments along both supply chains are hailed as important steps toward the company’s 2025 “Forever Chocolate” sustainability goals.

Barry Callebaut’s “Better For You” portfolio includes – but is not limited to – sugar solutions (sugar-free, reduced sugar and no sugar added), high-protein, dairy-free and organic solutions. The portfolio has seen high growth and innovation in recent years, the supplier highlights. Barry Callebaut and Prova will fund and support local communities through social, health and education programs.

Mosca tops the list of winners in the “Germany’s Best – Sustainability” category of Focus Money’s prestigious awards for German companies. The company thus sets the benchmark for the industry in the “Mechanical and Plant Engineering” category, in which 34 companies were ranked.

The award was made as part of the “Germany’s Best – Sustainability” study conducted by the IMWF (Institute for Management and Economic Research) on behalf of Focus Money and Deutschland Test. The study looked at around 24,000 companies and brands in the period from March 2020 to February 2021. The criteria of the award, which gives equal weight to the areas of ecology, economy and social issues, prove that sustainability goes far beyond environmental protection.

Tereos has inked a strategic sourcing agreement with Swiss flavour house Firmenich for stevia extracts. The move will allow the company to offer its customers traceable stevia-based sweetening solutions worldwide. According to Tereos, the new agreement with Firmenich is crucial to the sweeteners industry so that Tereos can “build on unparalleled expertise in taste and further accelerate its innovation in sugar reduction.”

Stevia extract is one of several options that Tereos has been offering to meet customers’ sweetening needs. The company’s product portfolio includes sweetness options, bulking agents, fibres and proteins, which add up to a complete set of solutions supported by proven reformulation expertise. By combining Tereos’ solutions with Firmenich’s range of stevia extracts and building on high expertise in taste, this agreement further accelerates Tereos’ innovation in sugar reduction.

Live, in-person technology in action for the first time in 18 months is just one of the many features of the only comprehensive packaging and processing trade show in the world this year: Pack Expo Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging Expo (27 to 29 September). Show producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, will reunite the packaging and processing community with over 1,500 exhibitors, targeted education and countless networking opportunities spread across four expansive halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center. “Registration is already exceeding expectations, and we anticipate well over 20,000 packaging and processing professionals in attendance this September,” says Jim Pittas, President and CEO, PMMI.

In today’s manufacturing environment, processing and packaging often come together as an integrated system, making it more critical than ever to bring both packaging and processing solutions under one roof. To meet this growing need, The Processing Zone returns with front-of-the-line solutions such as homogenizing, heat treating, forming/sizing and coating to help increase efficiency, achieve total system integration and ensure food safety. New in 2021 is the Processing Innovation stage, focusing on the latest processing breakthroughs.

Additional pavilions include the Package Printing Pavilion, showcasing the latest in cost-effective digital printing solutions, The Containers and Materials Pavilion, displaying the latest in new recyclables and bio-based materials, printable films, flexible, resealable and plant-based packaging, The Reusable Packaging Pavilion, highlighting sustainable packaging solutions, and the Confectionery Pavilion, home of the Candy Bar Lounge, sponsored by Syntegon Packaging Technology and hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA).