42nd INC World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress to unite
The three-day congress program will provide a dynamic platform for dialogue, debate, and discovery. Attendees will delve into crucial topics shaping the industry landscape, including crops, product and market trends, sustainability, and the latest scientific breakthroughs in nutrition research. Moreover, beyond enjoying access to premier networking opportunities in the exhibition area at the Palma Convention Center, industry leaders will forge meaningful connections and collaborations and during exclusive social events set against some of Mallorca’s most iconic backdrops, including the historic Parc de la Mar with its cathedral views and the sophisticated Port Adriano marina.
The mixed bag of price fluctuations seen at the end of 2024 continued into the first three months of 2025.
Senior Research Analyst Santiago Castro of Wood Mackenzie added some context to these figures,
“The prices paid in Europe for flexible packaging materials varied in Q1 2025 were driven by price fluctuations in raw materials, logistics issues and factors in overseas markets. The BOPET price reductions were largely due to declines in raw materials. While the reduction in paper prices is accounted for by under-utilised mill capacity and lower-than-expected energy prices. Higher raw material prices account for Alufoil and BOPA increases. BOPP prices remained relatively unchanged because of continued weak demand and over-supply. “Overall demand for flexible packaging remained weak in Q1, driven by reduced consumer spending and a shift towards leaner inventory management. Prices are expected to increase for all substrates, largely due to increased raw materials costs, next quarter.”
Kaushik Mitra, Chemical Market Analyst on LDPE and HDPE continued, “The first quarter sharp increase in PE prices is due to raw material cost inflation and tighter inventory balances due to lower imports. The imports figures were affected by low order booking and supply chain bottlenecks. PE demand is still lacklustre due to macroeconomic factors and continuing market uncertainty, although some sectors like construction, consumer products and packaging are showing signs of stability.
“Potential EU tariffs on PE from 12th April caused market volatility and nervousness as, even though there is huge supply capacity in the world, the European market may get impacted in the short term by these measures, before normalising later in the year.” Adding his perspective on the figures Guido Aufdenkamp of FPE said, “While raw material supply and logistics issues continue to weigh on flexible packaging markets, there are signs that after the weak 2023 and recovery in 2024 the overall demand continues to increase slightly.. While the geopolitical and trade developments cause continued uncertainties in both supply and demand, the industry is cautiously optimistic for the rest of 2025.”
Nutriswiss AG opens new sensory laboratory
Following successful certification in accordance with the current FSSC 22000 standard for food safety management systems in the food and feed industry and receipt of all the necessary permits from the municipality of Lyss, Nutriswiss AG's newly established sensory laboratory officially commences operations at the beginning of May. Laboratory Manager Michèle Béatrice Suter is delighted to be able to offer her tasting panel optimal conditions: "The new facilities allow us to evaluate samples under completely neutral conditions. All potential interferences, such as external odours, are entirely eliminated.”
The sensory lab has been designed and equipped to comply with the latest recommendations of the German Society for Fat Science (DGF). In planning and implementing the project, Suter and her team were also advised by the Food Sensory Research Group at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Wädenswil. This group also trains assessors for the Swiss Olive Oil Panel (SOP). The sensory panel members at Nutriswiss are selected and trained according to DIN EN ISO 8586:2023-09 and DIN ISO 3972:2013-12.
The new laboratory is divided into a preparation kitchen, equipped with refrigeration and heating cabinets for sample storage, preparation and pre-tempering, and the actual tasting lab. The lab has eight individual tasting booths, which are completely separated to prevent external influences between panelists. Each booth is equipped with a personal water bath to temper samples to a precise temperature. The rooms are air-conditioned and ventilated with filtered, odour-free air. Special lighting can simulate different colour temperatures to ensure consistent illumination and eliminate the effects of daylight or other visual stimuli. Red light can also be used to eliminate colour bias in product perception.
Bi-Ber: Empty mould check system for flexible integration
The German machine vision expert has expanded its portfolio for the confectionery industry, adding a new space-saving inspection system for empty mould checks.
Overview of the five standard models:
- The B(asic) model combines cameras, lighting, and a touch panel PC in a stainless-steel cabinet that is placed directly onto the conveyor system, with a signal light mounted on top. Good ambient light shielding through the control cabinet ensures high, repeatable image quality. The use of multiple cameras allows for a wide field of view at short working distances. Doors on both sides of the control cabinet provide good access to the system.
- The S(eparate) model offers all the advantages of the basic system in terms of accessibility and ambient light shielding. However, the imaging technology and the computer are installed in two separate enclosures. The cabinet with the operating panel and signal light can be freely positioned so that it is clearly visible and accessible.
- The F(lexible) model with a slim camera and lighting module also features a separate control cabinet and was developed especially for enclosed lines and low-height surroundings. It is also available as a multi-camera version for wide moulds.
- The new P(anel) model is a modification of the F(lexible) model without PC control cabinet or signal light.
The C(ompact) model is condensed to include only the minimum necessary equipment and does not contain a signal light, either. The control box with a touchscreen is attached directly to the camera housing. The compact model is particularly cost-effective and also suitable for lines with limited space.
Nestlé and Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) agree an agroforestry partnership to transform cocoa farming.
The co-operation will support approximately 25,000 cocoa farmers across Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire and Brazil, helping them transition to agroforestry and implement climate-smart practices like crop residue management.
Backed by a robust monitoring framework, the project is expected to reduce over 1.5 million tons of CO₂ emissions over a 30-year period. The plan includes planting an estimated 2.8 million trees and establishing more than 72,000 hectares of agroforestry. These efforts form part of a larger regenerative agriculture push and will be tracked using Ofi's AI-powered carbon stock monitoring tool to ensure trees are geolocated continuously and growing in line with set objectives.
This initiative builds on a 15-year partnership between Nestlé and ofi, centred around sustainable cocoa sourcing. It supports Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan and 2050 Net Zero Roadmap, while aligning with ofi's 'Cocoa Compass' targets and wider 'Choices for Change' sustainability strategy. Implementation is already underway in all three countries, with training and education programmes helping farmers adopt forest-positive practices that enhance both environmental and economic resilience.
“People are at the heart of our climate actions,” said Darrell High, Cocoa Plan Manager at Nestlé. “We’re working with ofi to help farmers transition to climate-smart farming practices. By supporting a move towards a more regenerative food system, we can continue to build a more responsible cocoa supply chain and progress towards our shared climate goals for 2030 and beyond.”
Andrew Brooks, Global Head Cocoa Sstainability at ofi, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Nestlé on this global climate action initiative. Together, we’re addressing climate challenges by putting farmers at the centre of the solution. Collaborating closely with cocoa communities, we can support farmers in adapting and mitigating climate change and help strengthen the supply of sustainable cocoa ingredients.”
Beneo inaugurates new pulse-processing plant
Up to 25 new jobs will be created at the new plant, which has been built next to the existing Beneo site where its sugar replacer Isomalt and the smart carbohydrate PalatinoseTM (isomaltulose) are produced, on an area of around 4,000 m2 – about half the size of a football pitch. Sustainability has been a key focus for the new development, with the plant production running entirely on electricity from renewable energy sources. Additional power is generated by a rooftop photovoltaic system and waste heat from production is used to heat the building, while the pulse processing requires no water.
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Barry Callebaut: protecting EBIT despite declining demand due to unprecedented cocoa prices
The Barry Callebaut Group reported sales volume of 1.085 m tonnes in the first six months of fiscal year 2024/25 (ended February 28, 2025).
According to the company, the highly volatile market environment impacted customer behaviour and pricing, resulting in a sales volume decrease of 4.7%. Sales volume for Global Chocolate decreased by 4.5% in a declining global chocolate confectionery market according to NielsenIQ (- 2.4%; NielsenIQ volume growth excluding e-commerce; 26 countries; August 2024 - January 2025; data subject to adjustment to match Barry Callebaut's reporting period; NielsenIQ data only partially reflects the out-of-home and impulse consumption).
Food Manufacturers (- 5.6%) were significantly impacted by market dynamics with large pricing actions, historically low levels of customer orders and other short-term changes to customer behaviour given the volatility. Gourmet (+ 0.7%) delivered positive growth, recovering in the second quarter with resilient demand across most regions. Sales volume for Global Cocoa declined 5.6% as the business prioritized volume in the supply constrained environment and saw a negative demand impact from significant cocoa bean price increases, particularly in AMEA and CEE.
Group sales revenue amounted to CHF 7.287 bn, up 63.1% in local currencies (+ 56.9% in CHF). The increase was driven by Barry Callebaut's cost-plus pricing model as the business passed through significantly higher cocoa bean prices to customers. Gross profit amounted to CHF 653.8 m, up 1.7% in local currencies (- 1.4% in CHF), supported by the company's cost-plus pricing model as well as mix. Operating profit (EBIT) recurring amounted to CHF 329.6 m, an increase of 1.5% in local currencies (- 2.9% in CHF) compared to the prior year. The increase came despite the impact of negative volume growth due to lower and delayed customer demand in light of record bean prices, as the cost-plus model successfully passed on a significant portion of cost increases.
The company announces the launch of PA12 Blue food grade, an innovative plastic material designed to meet the requirements of industrial environments where hygiene, traceability, and safety are priorities.
PA12 Blue stands out for its bright colour, chosen to facilitate the rapid identification of any residual fragments during quality controls. This choice of colour serves a purpose: the colour blue, rarely present in natural foods, makes it easy to spot any accidental contamination, thereby reducing risks for the food production chain. This material helps strengthen product safety while simplifying quality control processes. Manufactured using selective laser sintering (SLS) technology, PA12 Blue is characterised by excellent mechanical performance. It offers increased resistance to wear and tear, shocks, and thermal stresses, as well as having high dimensional stability. Its compatibility with intensive cleaning environments, particularly due to its resistance to chemical agents, makes it a material of choice for industries subject to strict hygiene protocols.
In addition to its raw version, PA12 Blue can be improved with chemical smoothing, a process that improves surface finish by making it smoother and more watertight. This characteristic is particularly necessary in environments where cleanliness and ease of cleaning are major concerns, such as in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries.
By offering materials capable of combining technical performance and regulatory compliance, Sculpteo supports companies in optimising their production processes while adhering to high standards of quality, health and safety.
This new material enables the design of custom parts that meet the requirements of the most stringent environments in terms of quality and regulatory compliance. This aligns with Sculpteo’s global approach aimed at anticipating the evolving needs of industries, particularly in terms of health and safety and material performance. With the launch of PA12 Blue, Sculpteo reinforces its position as an innovative leader in additive manufacturing, offering solutions adapted to the challenges of tomorrow.
Gold medal for Herma from EcoVadis for the first time
This means that the company is among the top 5% of the companies audited by EcoVadis in the last 12 months; previously Herma was among the top 12%.
This is the only way to ensure the long-term stability of companies and general prosperity", adds managing director Dr. Guido Spachtholz. Elise Keuler, Marcus Gablowski's colleague in the sustainability team, continues: "This is a great success, which we are particularly pleased about, but for which we have worked really hard – we are pleased to see our efforts recognized in this way. We know that positive EcoVadis ratings continue to be highly valued by our customers. This also shows us that sustainable action is still recognised and acknowledged."
