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BUSINESS The Technology Reshaping Meat Production Meat, Poultry & Seafood The New Era of Food Ingredients Ingredients The Thinking Machine: Driving Motion Intelligence Gears & Drives April 2026 • Issue 29 packaging materials & design packaging materials & design foodandbeverage.businessCompany Name Address Phone Website 100 Words Logo on Map Marker & Listing Page Company Name Motto / Tag Line Address Phone Whatsapp Email Website Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Youtube Instagram Youtube Video 10 Images 1,000 Words Logo on Map Marker & Listing Page Company Name Motto / Tag Line Address Phone Whatsapp Email Website Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Youtube Instagram Youtube Video 10 Images 1,000 Words On Homepage and at top of each Category listing We’re super excited to finally tell you about all these epic features we’ve worked on during the last months. We have launched a FREESTANDARD PREMIUM foodandbeverage.business/directory10 04 18 30 gears & Drives 14 ingredients 18 Meat Poultry & Seafood FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 3 Editorial: editorial-ukeurope@foodandbeverage.business Sales: sales@foodandbeverage.business Finance & Admin: accounts@foodandbeverage.business Design: studio@foodandbeverage.business Where you see a QR code, it will take you to a longer version of that printed piece. News Everything that has been going on in the Food & Beverage sector this month import & export The UK and Ireland food and drink sectors are entering a new phase of trade-one defined not by disruption, but by adaptation. Record export values sit alongside rising costs, regulatory complexity and shifting consumer demand. For manufacturers, logistics providers and packaging specialists, the challenge is no longer simply moving goods across borders, but doing so with greater efficiency, resilience and long-term strategic intent. ingredients For decades, ingredient innovation in the food and beverage sector was largely driven by flavour trends and marketing narratives. But as the industry moves deeper into 2026, the conversation has shifted dramatically meat, poultry & seafood For generations, meat, poultry and seafood have sat firmly at the centre of global diets. Yet the industries that produce these proteins are navigating one of the most complex transitions in their history. Environmental pressures, regulatory scrutiny, supply chain volatility and evolving consumer expectations are forcing producers to rethink how protein is sourced, processed and delivered to market. Packaging Materials & design For years, sustainability has dominated the conversation around food packaging innovation. Brands pledged recyclable materials, lighter packaging formats and reduced plastic use as part of wider environmental commitments. The conversation has moved decisively beyond voluntary pledges. labelling, coding & marking For much of the last decade, innovation in food labelling centred on content. Cleaner ingredient lists, clearer allergen declarations and improved nutritional visibility dominated the agenda, alongside growing expectations around transparency and brand storytelling. As the industry moves forward, that focus is no longer sufficient. events guide Everything that has been going on in the Food & Beverage sector this month Gears & drives Gears, drives and motion control systems have long underpinned food manufacturing. But in 2026, their role is shifting from mechanical workhorses to intel- ligent, data-generating assets. As energy costs rise, labour tightens and compliance demands grow, mod- ern motion systems are becoming central to efficien- cy, traceability and operational resilience across the factory floor. 22 26 28 14 30 CONTENTS4 FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE Bem Brasil Expands Potato Strip Production with Integrated Line from Key Technology Food and beverage manufacturers face multiple challenges, including labour shortages, rising energy prices and quality control issues. Often, there is a one-size-fits-all solution: Automation. However, not every task requires the same level. That’s why Schubert has three product families, all of which are on display at this year’s interpack. Packaging lines are often associated with massive industrial setups: endless conveyor belts and thousands of products moving rapidly into flowpacks and boxes within highly complex systems. While such lines are essential for large production volumes, many applications require more compact layouts or the automation of individual packaging steps. At the core of Schubert’s technology is the TLM modular system. Built from eight standard modules for tasks such as pick-and-place, flow-wrapping, cartoning and case packing, TLM lays the basis for highly flexible, fully integrated packaging lines. At interpack, Schubert will present its latest TLM generation as a Flowpacker. Its significantly stiffer frame enables precise and fast robotic movement, resulting in even higher performance within a smaller footprint. For clearly defined packaging tasks, the lightline series offers cost-efficient standardised machines. Meanwhile, the tog range provides targeted solutions for automating individual process steps. Visitors can experience all three portfolio areas at Schubert’s stand D01 in hall 14 at interpack in Düsseldorf. Find out more about Schubert at interpack - https://www.schubert.group/en/interpack26/ Ready for any packaging challenge NEWS Recent insights from a collaborative report by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) reveal the food technologies poised to reshape the UK food landscape within the next decade. The comprehensive Thematic Report on Emerging Food Innovations, produced by the Market Authorisation Innovation Research Programme (IRP), highlights cutting- edge technologies that are expected to introduce new food safety and regulatory challenges across Great Britain over the next ten years. Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), this programme aims to complement the Cell-Cultivated Products Regulatory Sandbox, which debuted in March 2025. This initiative allows innovators to engage with regulators early in the process, paving the way for smoother formal applications concerning cell-cultivated products. FSA and FSS Uncover Future Food Trends in Latest Report February 25, 2026 – Bem Brasil is Brazil’s leading potato processor, producing around 500,000 metric tons of product each year. Founded in 2006, the company has grown rapidly by prioritizing quality and innovation, and it now supplies more than half of all french fries consumed in the country, in addition to serving international markets. To support this momentum and strengthen operational efficiencies while protecting product quality, Bem Brasil installed a new Key Technology processing line designed to run 30 metric tons of frozen potato strips per hour. “We reached a point where our existing lines couldn’t keep up with demand for our products. On top of that, our incoming raw material can naturally vary several times in a single day, so we needed equipment that performed reliably even with those product shifts,” said Célio Zero, Director of Operations at Bem Brasil. “When we compared suppliers, Key stood out because they offered a fully integrated solution complete with world-class optical sorters, graders and more. Full-surface inspection, quick changeovers and straightforward operation help us achieve both the high capacity we require and the quality our customers expect.”FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 5 Scottish chocolate manufacturer secures export funding Scottish chocolate producer Coco Chocolatier has secured new financing from Virgin Money, supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF), to accelerate its international growth strategy and refinance recent acquisitions. Headquartered in South Queensferry, Coco Chocolatier forms part of the Made Uncommon group, which includes a portfolio of confectionery brands such as H!P, Otherly, Love Cocoa and Seed & Bean. The business was originally founded in 2004 and has been led by Calum Haggerty since 2013. The funding package has enabled the company to refinance a short-term bridging facility that was used to acquire three additional confectionery brands - Love Cocoa, H!P and Seed & Bean. These acquisitions have significantly expanded the group, with revenues reportedly doubling over the past four months. Partnership aims to turn CO₂ into protein Novonesis has partnered with the Technical University of Denmark’s Bright Biofoundry to develop protein made from captured carbon dioxide, with the aim of scaling production for use in food. The collaboration sits within the Acetate Consortium, a multi-partner initiative launched in 2023 and backed by the Gates Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The consortium also includes companies such as energy technology group Topsoe. The project focuses on converting captured CO₂ into acetate, which can then be used as a feedstock for microbial fermentation to produce protein. This approach is being explored as an alternative to conventional methods that rely on agricultural crops such as glucose. A key challenge is enabling microorganisms to efficiently use acetate. As part of the partnership, researchers will work to develop yeast strains that can tolerate and consume acetate more effectively, improving protein yields and reducing production time. The work will be carried out using Bright Biofoundry’s automated platform, which allows rapid testing and optimisation of microbial strains. UNILEVER CONFIRMS TALKS TO SELL FOOD ASSETS TO MCCORMICK Amid renewed speculation surrounding the future of Unilever’s food division, the consumer goods giant has confirmed it is in disposal discussions with McCormick & Co. US-based McCormick also acknowledged the talks, stating it is “engaged in discussions with Unilever regarding a potential strategic transaction” involving the assets. If completed, the deal would bring together a powerful portfolio of brands, combining McCormick’s core range of herbs and spices, alongside French’s mustard and Frank’s RedHot, with Unilever’s Hellmann’s mayonnaise, Knorr cooking products and Colman’s mustard. NEWS stock.adobe.com/ Dmitry RukhlenkioCadbury Introduces 65% Certified Recycled Plastic Packaging for Three Easter Mini Egg Varieties This Easter, Cadbury is transforming its offerings with the introduction of 31.9g, 74g, and 256g Mini Eggs bags designed to promote sustainable packaging in the food and drink sector. Moreover, both small and large Easter Cadbury tablets will now be wrapped in packaging made from 80% certified recycled plastic, utilizing a mass balance approach. Additionally, the ribbon handle for the Cadbury Special Gesture Easter Egg range has been replaced with a recyclable cardboard handle, emphasizing a commitment to food and drink sustainability. Previously, the company launched the Cadbury Easter Favourites Pouch, featuring outer packaging constructed from paper. Notably, Cadbury has removed 6.4 million plastic windows from its Easter egg range, showcasing significant progress in sustainable packaging initiatives. With a focus on innovation in food and drink packaging, the 2026 lineup incorporates Amcor’s AmFiniti Recycled Content, which converts post-consumer plastic waste into new packaging materials. Through this collaboration, approximately 134 tonnes of post-consumer recycled plastic will be sourced for various Cadbury Easter products this year. SupplyOne Strengthens New England Presence with Acquisition of Specialty Packaging SupplyOne, Inc., a value-added distributor renowned for its corrugated converting capabilities, announced today its acquisition of Specialty Packaging, LLC, a distinguished packaging solutions distributor located in East Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 2012 by Chris Orsini and Keith Streib, Specialty Packaging will continue to be led by its founders post- acquisition. As a comprehensive provider of packaging solutions, Specialty Packaging boasts extensive offerings in food and drink packaging, including innovative films, trays, bags, and corrugated containers. A standout in Specialty Packaging’s portfolio is the proprietary SteamRight® microwavable packaging solution, engineered to allow frozen food products to steam directly within the package. In addition, the company offers a diverse array of protective packaging, equipment, service, packaging design, warehousing, and logistics to cater to its customers’ needs. Danone has announced plans to acquire Huel as it looks to strengthen its position within the fast-growing functional nutrition market. Huel specialises in nutritionally complete meal solutions, offering a broad portfolio that includes powders, ready- to-drink shakes, hot meals, snack bars, supergreens and functional beverages. Built around a science-led formulation approach, Huel’s products are designed to deliver a balanced intake of essential macro and micronutrients in convenient, plant- based formats. The brand has primarily grown through a direct-to-consumer model, supported by an increasingly strong retail presence. NEWS 6 FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINEPremier Foods is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of premium pizza brand Crosta Mollica, although the UK group has declined to comment on the speculation. According to Sky News, the Mr Kipling and Sharwood’s owner is considering a bid of around £200m ($267.8m) for the business and is understood to be among several parties evaluating an offer. Under the leadership of CEO Alex Whitehouse, Premier Foods has re-established itself as an active player in mergers and acquisitions. Most recently, the company announced the £48m purchase of ready-to-eat grains and pulses brand Merchant Gourmet in August. This followed a series of strategic deals, including the £34m acquisition of cereal, snack bar and milk drinks brand Fuel10K in 2023. A year earlier, Whitehouse had returned the group to M&A activity after more than a decade with the £44m purchase of The Spice Tailor. FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 7 NEWS Key Technology Introduces COMPASS® Optical Sorter for Fresh and IQF Corn, Peas and Green Beans Key Technology (Key), a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group, introduces its COMPASS® optical sorter for fresh and IQF corn, peas and green beans at Expo Pack Mexico booth 2418. Purpose-built for vegetable processors managing multiple SKUs, product medleys and frequent changeovers, COMPASS delivers precise, repeatable removal of foreign material (FM) and product defects across varied production requirements. Available in belt-fed configurations for fresh applications and chute-fed configurations for IQF, COMPASS protects product quality, reduces operational complexity and offers a strong return on investment. “Vegetable processors are navigating more competitive markets with tighter margins, broader portfolios and leaner workforces. Equipment must carry more responsibility while asking less of the people running it,” said Gina Maria Bonini, President of Key Technology – Americas. “COMPASS reflects our decades of food processing expertise, bringing together our deep investment in sensing science and application engineering. It raises the bar for optical sorting performance while making it easy for facility teams to run, clean and maintain.” PREMIER FOODS ‘EYEING PREMIUM UK PIZZA BUSINESS CROSTA MOLLICA’ Oatly is set to invest $16 million to expand its production facility located in Landskrona, Sweden. This strategic move aims to enhance the plant’s capacity by over 33%, thereby addressing the rising global demand for its popular plant- based drink offerings. In a statement the dairy-alternatives brand confirmed that this financial commitment will be distributed over multiple years to support the upgrades. The expansion will result in the construction of three new production lines, ultimately increasing the Landskrona plant’s annual output from 150 million liters to 200 million liters. OATLY MAKES INVESTMENT IN PRODUCTION FACILITY IN SWEDENDel Monte brand brought back together after $285m deal German robotics startup eternal.ag has secured €8m in funding to accelerate the development of autonomous harvesting systems for greenhouse agriculture. The investment round was supported by Simon Capital, Oyster Bay Venture Capital, EquityPitcher Ventures and Backbone Ventures, reflecting growing interest in automation technologies aimed at addressing labour challenges in food production. Eternal.ag is developing robotic systems capable of carrying out greenhouse tasks without human intervention, targeting a sector increasingly affected by labour shortages. Across Europe, the availability of greenhouse workers has declined steadily over the past decade, with further constraints expected. The company’s technology is focused on automating labour-intensive harvesting processes, enabling growers to improve consistency and extend operational hours. Its first commercial solution, Harvester, has been designed specifically for tomato crops and can operate for up to 22 hours per day. The system uses artificial intelligence to optimise picking accuracy and maintain consistent quality. Harvesting the Future: Robots Move into Europe’s Greenhouses with €8m Backing NEWS In 2025, SIG announced a substantial 24% increase in sales for its alu-layer-free aseptic cartons, reinforcing its commitment to eco-friendly food and drink sustainable packaging. This milestone illustrates significant progress toward reducing the environmental impact of packaging solutions. The consistent growth highlights the market’s demand for low carbon, recyclable packaging options. Importantly, beverage producers can adopt full barrier aseptic cartons without aluminum, which are fully compatible with SIG’s existing filling lines. This compatibility allows for swift upgrades in sustainability with minimal operational changes and no additional capital investment. “Our commitment to scalable, impactful innovation is paying off – not just for SIG, but for our customer’s entire value chain,” stated Christoph Wegener, Chief Markets Officer at SIG. SIG Achieves 24% Sales Growth in 2025 as Alu-layer-Free Aseptic Cartons Gain Popularity Fresh Del Monte Produce has completed a $285m acquisition of key assets from Del Monte Foods, finalised in March 2026 as part of a court-supervised sale following the company’s Chapter 11 restructuring. The transaction includes Del Monte Foods’ vegetable, tomato and refrigerated fruit businesses, along with established brands such as Del Monte, S&W, Contadina and the Joyba drinks range. It also covers a network of production facilities across the US, Mexico and Venezuela, as well as associated customer and supplier agreements designed to ensure operational continuity. The deal is one of several transactions resulting from Del Monte Foods’ restructuring process, which saw different parts of the business — including broth, stock and shelf- stable fruit — sold separately to other buyers. By acquiring these assets, Fresh Del Monte is effectively bringing a significant portion of the Del Monte brand back under unified ownership for the first time in nearly 40 years, reconnecting fresh produce with packaged and prepared food categories. 8 FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINEFOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 9 Japan’s Meiji books another impairment on China food business Japan’s Meiji Holdings has lowered its full- year profit outlook after announcing another impairment linked to its food operations in China. The Tokyo-based group said it expects to record an extraordinary loss of Y19.4bn ($122m) in the fourth quarter, relating to its Chinese subsidiary businesses. The charge covers its dairy and B2B operations, as well as its ice cream and chocolate segments. According to the company, the impairment on non-current assets is split across the divisions, with Y2.7bn attributed to dairy and B2B, Y7.9bn to ice cream, and Y8.8bn to chocolate. As a result, profit attributable to shareholders for the year ending 31 March (fiscal 2025) is now forecast to fall to Y36.5bn, down from a previous estimate of Y54bn. However, Meiji maintained its guidance for group sales at Y1.18trn and operating profit at Y91bn. Taylor Farms boosts CEA produce range with Equinox Growers buy Taylor Farms is expanding its presence in controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) through the acquisition of Equinox Growers from Generate Capital. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. In a statement, the US-based fresh foods company described the deal as its largest investment in CEA to date, positioning the business to capitalise on growing consumer demand for greenhouse-grown produce. T Bruce Taylor, senior vice president of marketing and product at Taylor Farms, said: “Retailers and consumers alike are increasingly seeking long-term, reliable access to greenhouse grown produce. “We are taking a major step forward into controlled-environment agriculture as this acquisition allows us to continue diversifying our raw product supply – both in geography and growing method – while meeting the rising demand for high-quality greenhouse-grown salads.” Equinox Growers operates a large-scale leafy greens greenhouse in Louisa, Virginia, which Taylor Farms described as the largest commercial greenhouse facility in the Mid- Atlantic region. FEVER-TREE PROFITS HIT BY UK EPR AND US MOLSON COORS TRANSITION Fever-Tree reported a 4% increase in overall brand revenue for 2025, with growth accelerating to 5% in the second half of the year. The group is continuing to diversify beyond its core tonic range, with almost half of total revenue now generated from other products. In the UK, this segment delivered particularly strong performance, rising 16%, while globally ginger beer and pink grapefruit variants drove standout growth. Fever-Tree said it is now the world’s largest ginger beer brand by value, holding leading positions in the US and gaining momentum across Europe, particularly in France. NEWSNext >