By Dr. Bernhard Reichenbach, Chefredakteur

Interest in plant-based products is on the rise – also in confectionery and snacks. According to a survey by ingredients specialist Olam Food Ingredients, 61 % of consumers take more plant-based products than two years ago, and 58 % expect this trend to grow in the coming years. The trend towards plant-based products was also confirmed by the ingredients trade show Fi & Hi Europe and the chocolate congress Choco Tec, which we report on in this issue.

In the “Technology” section, we inform you about interesting production solutions from Makat and Krüger & Salecker. With its complete line NutraFlash, Makat wants to set new standards in the starchless production of gum and jelly articles. Krüger & Salecker, for its part, is presenting FFW, a system for fruit gum production that does not require the usual maturing times.

In the “Packaging” section, we cover the latest industry developments presented at two important events: on the one hand at the Dresden Packaging Conference of the dvi, a network meeting with players from the entire value chain, and on the other hand at the “Future Days” of the Industrial Association for Food Technology and Packaging (IVLV) in Freising/Germany, which dealt with the conformity of printing inks and food packaging.

In our “sp portrait” series, we this time present Vollers Group from Bremen/Germany. Founded in 1932, the company is now a broad-based, internationally operating logistics service provider for cocoa, coffee, tea and bakery seeds as well as various other products.