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BUSINESS Beyond the Bottleneck transport & Logistics The Unpredictable Harvest fruit & vegetables When Resilience Becomes the Environmental Strategy environmental october 2026 • Issue 33 Mixing & Blending Mixing & Blending 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 BASIC £0 STANDARD £100 YEAR PREMIUM £250 YEAR foodandbeverage.business/directory10 4 24 transport & logistics 28 environmental 16 fruit & vegetables FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 3 Food & Beverage Business Magazine, 128 City Road, London, EC1v 2NX Telephone: 020 3633 8987 • Website: www.foodandbeverage.business Editorial: editorial-ukeurope@foodandbeverage.business • Sales: sales@foodandbeverage.business Finance & Admin: accounts@foodandbeverage.business • Design: studio@foodandbeverage.business News Everything that has been going on in the Food & Beverage sector this month import & export Canada is looking increasingly towards Europe as it seeks to diversify its international relationships. For food and drink manufacturers, the significance lies less in political talk of EU “associate membership” and more in how existing and emerging trade agreements could change sourcing, exports and competition across Canada, Britain and continental Europe. SEEPEX Breweries and distilleries face a difficult balancing act: protect product quality and production capacity while reducing energy use, water demand, waste and cost. Heat-intensive operations naturally attract attention, but product transfer can also create losses when conveying is inefficient, dosing is inaccurate or pumping is poorly controlled. Examining the complete transfer system can reveal practical opportunities from grist handling to by-product recovery. fruit & vegetables Fruit and vegetables have never behaved like manufactured components, but growing volatility is making that unpredictability harder for processors to absorb. New technologies are bringing the field and factory closer together, giving manufacturers earlier warning, better control and more options when crops fail to arrive exactly as planned. mixing & blending Mixing and blending technology is being asked to handle more complex formulations, greater ingredient variability and increasingly demanding production schedules. As manufacturers reformulate products and expand SKU ranges, the focus is shifting from simple capacity towards precise process control, faster changeovers and equipment capable of keeping production within specification. transport & logistics Food and beverage logistics is moving into a new phase. Border processes are preparing for another reset, trade documentation is becoming digital, AI is reaching the cold chain, and fleet electrification is becoming a practical operational decision. environmental Climate volatility, rising environmental costs and tighter resource requirements are changing the sustainability equation. For food and beverage manufacturers, environmental performance is increasingly about protecting production, controlling costs and securing future supply — turning sustainability from a corporate ambition into an operational requirement events guide Everything that has been going on in the Food & Beverage sector this month 20 28 12 33 CONTENTS 16 244 FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE More Than Logistics – A Personal Approach Since 1979 Nexture, the food ingredients platform owned by Investindustrial, is set to purchase Dubai-based chocolate and ingredients producer La Crema. The transaction will establish Nexture’s first manufacturing operation in the Middle East and extend Investindustrial’s ongoing buy-and-build programme in the region. Bilal Khalife founded La Crema in 2016 as a trading company focused on the HoReCa market. Two years later, the business moved into manufacturing and has since developed an integrated model combining production with distribution through wholesalers, distributors and retailers. Its portfolio of chocolate and speciality ingredients serves ice cream, bakery and fine pastry manufacturers. The Dubai site employs around 170 people across manufacturing, operations, sales and marketing. Nexture Enters the Gulf Market with La Crema Acquisition NEWS Located near York, family-run Cockerill has supplied Aldi since the retailer entered the UK market. The grower currently delivers a selection of British fresh potatoes, including 1kg and 2.5kg bags as well as loose formats. Its annual supply includes more than 16 million loose baking potatoes. The relationship has expanded significantly in recent years. Since 2023, the volume of potatoes Cockerill supplies to Aldi has more than doubled, supporting the company’s confidence in further capital investment. That growth has enabled Cockerill to commit £1.65 million to new equipment while also advancing regenerative farming initiatives. These measures include the use of cover crops and continued efforts to minimise waste in the fields and throughout its packing operations. Aldi Yorkshire Potato Supplier Cockerill Invests £1.65m in New Technology Based in Felixstowe, Brinor International Shipping & Forwarding Ltd has provided reliable logistics solutions across the UK, Europe and worldwide since 1979. Its services include UK haulage and distribution, European full- and part-load transport, deep-sea imports and exports, customs clearance and warehousing, with shipments handled through all major UK ports. While competitive pricing remains important, Brinor believes successful logistics partnerships depend equally on communication, reliability and personal service. Customers have direct access to experienced team members who understand their business and shipments, rather than relying primarily on automated portals. This personal approach has helped Brinor build long- standing relationships, with many customers working with the company for more than 20 years. Whether managing a single shipment, regular container movements or more complex logistics requirements, Brinor provides practical, flexible solutions backed by more than 45 years of industry experience.FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 5 Anheuser-Busch Invests $21 Million in California Facilities Anheuser-Busch, the brewer behind Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Cutwater Spirits and NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, is committing $21m to upgrades at its facilities in Los Angeles and Mira Loma, California. The investment is designed to support higher production volumes for Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater and Phorm Energy, alongside improvements to canning and bottling operations. It will also expand rail capacity, helping to enhance logistics, transportation infrastructure and route-to-market capabilities. A new technical skills training center will also be established at the Los Angeles Brewery. The site is one of 15 such centers being opened across the U.S., providing operators and technicians with training in the electrical and mechanical systems used in brewery equipment. Over the next five years, Anheuser- Busch aims to upskill more than 90% of its U.S. manufacturing workforce. Futamura and Bio4Life Launch “Certified Home and Industrial Compostable” PSA Label Futamura and Bio4Life have partnered to develop a compostable pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) label designed to help retailers and fresh-produce packers remove conventional plastic stickers from fruit and vegetables. The collaboration combines the capabilities needed to produce a certified home- compostable label. Futamura’s NatureFlex cellulose films act as the renewable, home- compostable facestock, while Bio4Life’s technology provides the certified compostable adhesive required for label application. The resulting label is designed to deliver reliable performance while remaining renewable and food-safe. It can be processed through both industrial and home composting systems and is suitable for a variety of fresh produce, including apples, citrus fruit, avocados and kiwis. Most traditional PSA labels rely on fossil- based plastic films and adhesives that are not compostable. When consumers discard stickers with fruit and vegetable peelings, the labels can enter organic waste streams and anaerobic digestion facilities. LACTIPS AND SMARTSOLVE TARGET NEXT GENERATION SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING French natural-polymer producer Lactips and US packaging technology business SmartSolve have entered into a global strategic partnership to develop and bring plastic-free packaging solutions to market. The companies started collaborating in 2024 and report that their joint work has moved PureNil 0 from initial development to commercial production in under two years. Their agreement now covers a broader, long-term innovation programme focused on future generations of bio-based packaging, in addition to the existing material. NEWSKnorr Takes Stock with Its First-Ever Squeezy Liquid Concentrate Knorr has entered the savoury category with the debut of its first Concentrated Liquid Stock range. Created to benefit from the strong performance of the liquid stock market, the launch combines Knorr’s established flavour reputation with a convenient squeeze format aimed at busy consumers who still want to prepare meals from scratch. The move reflects wider food and beverage industry trends, including demand for practical products that support home cooking. The new range arrives as the liquid stock segment records significant momentum, delivering 79% year-on-year value growth. Changing household cooking routines continue to shape food and drink consumer trends. Shoppers are seeking affordable, adaptable solutions that can enhance everyday recipes while helping them avoid unnecessary waste. The product also aligns with broader food manufacturing trends focused on convenience, portion control and efficient product formats. WECO Introduces Multiscan MXV-Bulk X-ray Inspection System for Nuts WECO has introduced the Multiscan MXV-Bulk X-ray inspection system for in-shell nuts, designed to detect hidden quality defects, insufficient kernel fill and dense foreign material. Suitable for pecans, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts and other nuts, the system analyses density differences within each product to identify issues including empty shells, insect damage and internal mould, while also detecting contaminants such as stones, glass, ceramics and embedded metal. Nuts are stabilised and distributed across a belt before being scanned individually. Products or foreign materials falling outside selected tolerances are automatically rejected using air valves. The MXV-Bulk is designed to complement optical sorting and aspiration systems by adding information on internal density. Operators can adjust density and fill thresholds through the touchscreen to suit different varieties and quality requirements. Developed jointly by WECO and Multiscan Technologies, both Duravant companies, the system is available worldwide, with installation, maintenance, upgrades and 24/7 support offered to processors. The UK dairy sector has published a coordinated plan to speed up environmental progress by 2030, with approximately £2.4 billion in investment expected to be needed to deliver the transition. A new Dairy Roadmap report, Sustainable Dairy Pathways: The Path to 2030, defines priorities for farmers, processors, policymakers and other supply-chain stakeholders. Its aim is to improve environmental performance while safeguarding food production and strengthening rural economies. Commissioned by The Dairy Roadmap and prepared by Scotland’s Rural College, the report covers actions across agriculture, dairy processing, finance, infrastructure, policy and data management. NEWS 6 FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE Multiscan MXV-Bulk x-ray inspection system for nuts from WECOAmcor (NYSE: AMCR, ASX: AMC), a global packaging company, has partnered with Tiptree, the preserves and spreads brand owned by Wilkin & Sons, to introduce 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) shrink and stretch films ahead of upcoming UK Tiptree has adopted Amcor’s RecyClass-certified collation shrink film and Bontite® Sustane® stretch wrap, both containing 30% PCR material while maintaining packaging performance, load stability and operational efficiency. From April 2027, post-industrial recycled content will no longer count towards the 30% recycled plastic threshold required under the Plastic Packaging Tax, with only PCR material qualifying. The independently certified films therefore provide Tiptree with verified recycled content and improved traceability for sustainability reporting. Produced at Amcor’s UK facilities in Leominster and Bromborough, both products carry RecyClass Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification to EN15343. Wilkin & Sons packaging buyer Manuel Martinez said the certification provides confidence in material traceability while allowing the company to maintain the packaging performance and operational efficiency required across its business. Renowned carton manufacturer, Falconer Print & Packaging, is set to showcase its expertise in creative, sustainable, and intricately designed carton packaging at London Packaging Week 2026. This prominent event will take place at ExCeL London on 16-17 September. Located at Stand F80, Falconer will emphasize how thoughtful structural design, material selection, and decorative finishing can synergistically create packaging that not only stands out on shelves but also meets the rising sustainability demand Verdion is set to develop Verdion CoreHub Rastatt, a new €45 million (approximately £38 million) Grade A logistics facility in southwest Germany. Covering 19,573m² (approximately 210,682ft²), the project will comprise two high-specification warehouse units, each incorporating office, technical and welfare accommodation. The development occupies a strategically important position near the German-French border. FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 7 NEWS Amcor and Tiptree Partner on RecyClass- Certified Shrink and Stretch Films Ahead of 2027 Plastic Packaging Tax Shift VERDION’S COREHUB RASTATT RECEIVES APPROVAL Belgian food-tech business Paleo has raised €2 million to accelerate the commercial expansion of its animal- free heme proteins. Using precision fermentation in yeast, the company produces non- GMO myoglobins. These proteins occur naturally in animal muscle and help deliver the colour and flavour associated with meat. Paleo supplies ingredients to alternative protein manufacturers, including plant-based meat and seafood producers. Its solutions are developed to enhance taste, aroma and nutritional performance. The financing was led by food-tech venture capital investor Beyond Impact. Paleo plans to use the funds to finalise its regulatory submission in North America and expand collaboration with commercial partners. PALEO RAISES €2 MILLION TO SCALE HEME PROTEIN PRODUCTIONNulogy Smart Factory and Quality & Compliance solutions Up to 40% of the fresh produce harvested worldwide is never consumed. Even in industrialised markets, post-harvest losses typically remain between 10% and 20%. The problem is rarely limited to crop yields or weather conditions. Significant losses occur during the stages that follow harvesting, when poor handling, deterioration and unsuitable packaging reduce product value. These challenges affect both environmental performance and commercial profitability. Intelligent laser perforation technology is now emerging as a practical way to address them. Harvesting does not end the biological activity of fruit and vegetables. Fresh produce continues to respire, taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. This metabolic process gradually reduces quality during storage and distribution. Ethylene, a naturally occurring plant hormone, further accelerates ripening and eventual deterioration, creating a narrow window in which products must reach consumers. Precision Meets Vision: Camera-Controlled Laser Micro-Perforation for Food Packaging NEWS Michelman will present co-developed paper-based flexible packaging solutions and advanced coating technologies for paper cup applications at PACK EXPO International 2026. Created with partners such as UPM Specialty Materials and BOBST, the showcased structures illustrate how fiber- based packaging can deliver the performance required for demanding food and beverage applications. Depending on the package format and the recovery infrastructure available, these designs can support recyclability, compostability, or two end-of-life options. During the joint session, “Design Concept to Paper Packaging Reality,” representatives from Michelman, UPM Specialty Materials, and BOBST will examine case studies showing how paper technology, coating development, and manufacturing-process adjustments can move packaging concepts from initial design through commercial production. The presentation will provide practical insight into package development, scale-up, and market launch. Michelman to Showcase Collaborative Paper Packaging Solutions Nulogy showcased its expanded manufacturing operations software portfolio at PPMA 2026, demonstrating how food and beverage manufacturers can improve production, quality and compliance through a single operating platform. At the show, the company presented Nulogy Smart Factory, its cloud- based OEE platform providing real-time visibility into production performance, equipment status and workforce allocation. Among the latest additions demonstrated were Nulogy Maintenance, which connects maintenance activity with live production information to help teams prioritise work according to machine condition and production impact, and AI Assistant Nora, enabling users to query live production and maintenance data using plain English. Nulogy also highlighted its Quality & Compliance solution, designed to simplify quality management, traceability, evidence capture and audit preparation. The platform centralises supplier documentation and certification records, helping manufacturers reduce administrative workloads and take a more proactive approach to compliance. Chief Commercial Officer Josephine Coombe said integrating these functions can help manufacturers reduce complexity while improving operational visibility, consistency and confidence. 8 FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINEYOUR NEXT CONTRACT IS HELD IN THESE HANDS BUSINESS She’s the Director of Operations for a national food group, and for the next 15 minutes, she is doing one thing: reading. She’s reading about AI, processing, manufacturing, and supply chain innovations that will shape her budget for the next financial year. She’s reading foodandbeverage.business In a world of noise, we deliver what marketing budgets crave: genuine, focused engagement with the people who make the critical purchasing decisions. 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