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< PreviousArdagh Glass Packaging- Europe Acquires Swedish Glass Recycler SGÅ Ardagh Glass Packaging- Europe (AGP- Europe), a division of Ardagh Group, has reached an agreement to acquire the renowned Swedish glass recycling company Svensk Glasåtervinning (SGÅ). The deal is awaiting regulatory approvals expected in the second quarter of 2024. For over 30 years, SGÅ has been a leader in collecting and recycling glass packaging in Sweden, contributing to the country’s impressive 90% glass recycling rate. Recent changes in regulations will now require Swedish municipalities to take on glass collection responsibilities starting in 2024. AGP-Europe’s acquisition of SGÅ aims to support Sweden’s circular glass recycling system in light of the new regulations. This move ensures a consistent supply of high-quality glass cullet for sustainable glass packaging production within Sweden, reducing the need for exporting glass for processing elsewhere. A Merseyside logistics specialist has secured a three- year contract with a packaging supply company specializing in food and drink sustainable packaging to support its new £3m production facility in Manchester. The agreement with Venturepak, based in St Helens, builds upon a previous 12-month partnership and comes as Venturepak expands its operations to produce ice cream containers for a renowned brand at its new manufacturing plant in Manchester. Prior to partnering with SSO Logistics Ltd, Venturepak struggled to find a reliable logistics provider to address its high damage rates, particularly with transporting pallets of delicate products. Under the extended contract, SSO Logistics will play a pivotal role in managing Venturepak’s distribution model, including providing BRC-accredited warehousing facilities at its Haydock site. All shipments will be efficiently transported through the Pallet-Track network, utilizing SSO’s network of independent haulage partners. SSO Logistics Inks 3Year Deal with Venturepak to Service £3M Production Hub NEWS Daisy Brand plans to construct a new production facility Daisy Brand, a US-based dairy products manufacturer, is set to construct a new factory in Iowa with the support of state funding. The family-owned company plans to invest $626.5m in a 750,000 square-foot facility, initially creating 106 new jobs with potential growth up to 255 as demand increases. Boone city officials have approved the project, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority will provide $7m in funding for the facility, along with tax benefits. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds highlighted the demand for Daisy Brand’s products as the driving force behind the need for an additional manufacturing facility. FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 10FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 11FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 12 Embracing Sustainability and Conscious Consumption BEVERAGESFOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 13 BEVERAGES As we end the first quarter of 2024, the beverage industry is undergoing a seismic shift driven by conscious consumption. Consumers are prioritizing naturally and sustainably derived ingredients, seeking guilt-free pleasure and unique taste experiences. This evolution is reshaping the sector, forcing manufacturers to meet demands for eco-friendly practices, transparency, functional benefits, and health-conscious formulations. 12 aFOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 14 T he beverage industry in 2024 is defined by a shift towards conscious consumption. Today’s consumers prioritize natural, sustainably sourced ingredients, moving away from simply enjoying novel flavors to demanding guilt-free, eco- friendly products. This shift drives manufacturers to adopt practices that align with transparency, functional benefits, and health-oriented formulations. Citrus flavors, particularly orange, grapefruit, lime, and berry, dominate the ready-to-drink sector, with a rising interest in variations like tangelo and different types of mandarins. Botanicals such as butterfly pea flower, chamomile, and black tea are also gaining popularity, appealing to those seeking unique and health-boosting options. In the health and fitness beverage market, there is a notable trend towards simplicity and functionality. Consumers are opting for beverages that offer health benefits without compromising taste. Ingredients like natural sugars from fruit juices and herbal elements such as ginseng root and ginger are favored for their health advantages, including immune support and cognitive enhancement. Functional beverages are increasingly incorporating these elements, prioritizing plant-based ingredients. Sustainability is a paramount concern, extending beyond the ingredients to packaging solutions that are environmentally friendly. With reports like those from Nielsen highlighting a strong preference among millennials for sustainable products, manufacturers are keen to secure organic BEVERAGESFOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 15 certifications and promote their eco-friendly credentials. The push for sustainability is evident in the industry’s move towards carbon-neutral and regenerative practices, with companies like AB InBev and Conagra taking significant steps to offset their carbon footprints through initiatives like forest management and wind energy installations. Furthermore, the preference for natural over artificial continues to influence consumer choices, BEVERAGES with a growing demand for products that connect with nature and ethical sourcing. This ethos is driving the market towards ingredients that offer both health benefits and minimal environmental impact. As the industry progresses, adapting to these consumer preferences for sustainability, health, and transparency will be essential. By embracing these values, the beverage sector can engage more deeply with modern consumers, enhancing brand loyalty and promoting a sustainable future.For generations, the humble cap and closure have served as the silent guardians of our beverages. Ensuring product integrity, freshness, and consumer safety, these seemingly unremarkable components have played a vital role in the beverage industry. Today, however, their significance extends far beyond basic functionality. As the world embraces a more sustainable future, caps and closures are undergoing a fascinating transformation, emerging as key contributors to eco-friendly packaging solutions. T he beverage industry is actively responding to growing consumer demands for sustainable packaging, with significant innovations in the design and materials of caps and closures to minimize environmental impact. These efforts are focused on several key sustainable practices: Bio-Based Solutions: Leading advancements include bio-based materials from renewable resources. Companies like Blue Ocean Closures are pioneering the use of cellulose-based screw caps, offering a recyclable and durable alternative to traditional plastics. These caps are not only water-resistant but also biodegradable in soil and ocean environments, presenting a future where discarded caps decompose without leaving harmful residues. CAPS & CLOSURES Sustainable Solutions FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 16 Uncapping InnovationRecycled Content: Another sustainability pillar is the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic in caps and closures. This approach reduces the reliance on virgin plastic by reusing materials, thus contributing to a circular economy and decreasing the environmental footprint. Firms like United Caps are enhancing the PCR content in their products to uphold responsible production standards. Tethered Closures: The adoption of tethered closures is becoming widespread due to their dual benefits: reducing litter from loose caps and facilitating the recycling process by keeping all packaging components connected. The European Union mandates tethered closures for plastic bottles up to 3 liters from July 2024, a regulation embraced by major 18 a companies like Coca-Cola in their European operations. This design is a significant step toward sustainable packaging practices. Innovative Technologies Enhancing Functionality Smart Technologies: The integration of sensors and RFID technology into caps and closures allows real- time monitoring of temperature, freshness, and potential tampering. This technology ensures optimal product quality during transport and provides valuable logistics data, enhancing product safety and consumer insight. Antimicrobial Coatings: Research into antimicrobial surface treatments aims to extend the shelf life of FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 17 Uncapping Innovationperishable products by inhibiting bacterial growth on caps and closures. This innovation is particularly beneficial for beverages like fresh juices or kombucha, enhancing safety and freshness. Safety and Convenience: Modern closures also focus on consumer safety and convenience, incorporating child-resistant and tamper-evident features. These features ensure products are safe from unintended use and provide visible security measures that indicate tampering. Hybrid Materials: The development of hybrid closures, which combine different materials like plastic caps with aluminum liners, optimizes product preservation and extends shelf life while also serving as a tamper-evident solution. Future Directions and Collaborative Efforts The future of caps and closures lies in a balanced approach emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and consumer convenience. As research into bio-based materials advances, more sustainable options with improved functionality are expected to emerge. Tethered closures are poised to become an industry standard, driven by regulatory mandates and consumer preferences for eco- friendly packaging. Moreover, the integration of smart technologies is set to revolutionize the beverage industry by providing critical data that can improve logistics, enhance product safety, and reduce waste. These intelligent systems allow for better- informed decisions by retailers and consumers, promoting efficiency and reducing food waste. Acheving a sustainable future in beverage packaging necessitates industry-wide collaboration. Manufacturers must continue to innovate and adopt eco-friendly CAPS AND CLOSURES FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 18designs, while brands need to make conscious material choices and support sustainable solutions. Recycling facilities must also evolve to handle new and complex packaging designs. In conclusion, the transformation of caps and closures from mere functional components to sustainable, intelligent solutions reflects a significant shift in the beverage industry towards environmental responsibility and consumer-oriented innovation. Embracing these advancements will not only meet but anticipate consumer expectations, ensuring a future where beverage packaging contributes positively to environmental sustainability and enhances the consumer experience. This ongoing evolution marks caps and closures as symbols of innovation and a commitment to a more sustainable future in the beverage industry. CAPS AND CLOSURES FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 19Next >