NEWS ROUND-UP

Cargill expand’s it’s Veliche™ couverture chocolate line

Cargill has announced that it is expanding its Veliche™ line with two dynamic, Signature Origins dark couverture chocolates.

This will make Cargill one of the only gourmet chocolate suppliers to bring flavours of El Salvador and the Democratic Republic of Congo to chefs around the world.

As only small quantities of cocoa beans are produced in El Salvador, those that do grow in its “rich, volcanic” soils are “highly prized”. To make the country’s flavours accessible to chefs, Cargill partnered with the thirdgeneration cocoa famers of the Hacienda San José Real de la Carrera. Wim Bastiaens, Cargill’s Gourmet and Distribution Director said: “In developing our new Signature Origins products, we searched the cocoa-growing regions of the world to bring chefs chocolate with unique flavour profiles that truly stand apart from current gourmet offerings. “Our Usulután 65 Signature Origin dark couverture chocolate from El Salvador and Okapi 65 Signature Origin dark couverture chocolate from the Democratic Republic of Congo are the result – gourmet chocolates that will surprise and delight consumers’ palates.” Nearly 12,000 kilometres east, Cargill discovered the Okapi Cooperative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which produces an herbaceous cocoa with flavours of spices and dried fruits.

These unique cocoa beans will be grown exclusively for Cargill and used to craft its Okapi Signature Origins dark couverture chocolate.

Thorntons set to close all UK stores

Chocolate retailer Thorntons has announced that it plans to permanently close its UK retail store estate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, Thorntons bosses said: “Unfortunately like many other retailers, the obstacles we have faced and will continue to face on the high street are too severe. Despite our best efforts we have taken the difficult decision to go into full consultation to start the permanent closure of our retail store estate. “We understand that this will be an uncertain and concerning time for our colleagues and we will actively support them during this period.” This news could see up to 600 jobs put at risk. The statement concluded: “We remain committed to our iconic Thorntons brand and will continue to invest further in the future potential to ensure we evolve with the times.”

“We understand that this will be an uncertain and concerning time for our colleagues and we will actively support them during this period.”

Mondelēz acquires Australian premium cracker company

Mondelēz International has announced that it has acquired Gourmet Food Holdings Pty Ltd – an Australian food company with a “strong position” in the premium biscuit and cracker category. Gourmet Food has brands including OB finest, Olina’s Bakehouse and Crispbic, and also offers “on-trend innovations” like health and well-being offerings. Included in the transaction is Gourmet Food’s pre-packaged seafood business including the Ocean Blue brand. There are no closing conditions, and the transaction is expected to close in April. Dirk Van de Put, Chairman and CEO of Mondelēz International, said: “This is a great strategic asset for us in a very important market. With our iconic biscuit brands such as Oreo and belVita, as well as our leadership in chocolate with Cadbury, this acquisition will accelerate our broader snacking leadership in Australia and New Zealand.” Oliver Flint, current Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed as Gourmet Food’s Managing Director while cofounder and CEO Todd Wilson will remain with the business as an advisor. Mondelēz International will provide Gourmet Food with resources to accelerate growth, while leveraging its manufacturing, research and development capabilities. Maurizio Brusadelli, EVP & President, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Mondelēz International, added: “With fast-growing premium and wellbeing products, strong customer relationships and agile, local manufacturing, these brands will be a great complement to our local portfolio. We are excited to welcome Oliver, Todd and the entire Gourmet Food team to our organization.”

Symrise joins sustainability and human rights initiative

Symrise has joined the international initiative AIM-Progress, which unites manufacturers and their suppliers committed to sustainability and respect for human rights through the supply chain.

AIM-Progress provides members with a forum for collaborative exchange, mutual audit recognition, continuing education and networking with similar initiatives. This initiative will make it possible for Symrise to exchange information with customers and suppliers and will enable the development of joint strategies to make supply chains more sustainable and equitable quickly, efficiently and comprehensively. Bernhard Kott, Chief Sustainability Officer at Symrise, commented. “Membership in AIM-Progress will help us to improve existing processes. Thanks to the mutual recognition of audits, we can, for example, assess our suppliers more quickly according to sustainability criteria.” AIM-Progress has developed a four-stage process that checks compliance with common quality standards, among other things. This allows participating companies to see which suppliers have already been assessed and how, for example in terms of sustainability criteria and quality. The initiative also looks at human rights compliance through the supply chain to help members develop meaningful auditing procedures for suppliers and establish opportunities for employee involvement and to ensure payment of fair wages.

interpack opens exhibitor registration for 2023 event

Show organisers have now opened up registration for interpack and components 2023. Interested companies from the packaging and processing industry can now register online at www.interpack. com. The trade fair will take place from 4 to 10 May 2023 at the Düsseldorf Trade Fair Centre. interpack is a platform for complete value chains and includes processes and machines for packaging and processing packaged goods, along with packaging materials, packaging containers and packaging manufacture, complete with services for the packaging industry. Exhibitors that gained approval for interpack 2021, which was cancelled due to the pandemic, can rebook. The supplier trade fair, components, will take place in parallel with interpack again. Those interested can also register for this now, at www.packagingcomponents.com.

Mars to develop a new eco-friendly packaging

Mars Wrigley has formed a two-year partnership with Danimer Scientific, a leading developer and manufacturer of biodegradable materials to develop home compostable packaging for a more sustainable planet.

Mars will leverage the company’s portfolio of treats and snacks to enable consumers to compost at home, working together with consumers and supply-chain partners to support a healthy planet. The first brand Mars will introduce is Skittles in the U.S ¬– enabling consumers to enjoy environmentally friendly treats. Mars plans to introduce Danimer Scientific’s signature packaging, Nodax® polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), which is produced through natural fermentation processes using plant oils such as soy and canola and biodegrades in both soil and marine environments.

The aim of this collaboration is new, biodegradable packaging for various Mars brands, starting with smaller and single packs that are more likely to be littered and typically less likely to be recycled.

“The impact of plastic on nature is one of the major sustainability challenges of our generation. There are no simple solutions and transformational innovation is necessary, we have to think and act differently,” said Alastair Child, Mars Wrigley VP of Global Sustainability. “Collaborating with Danimer to advance this breakthrough technology represents a major step to creating positive societal impact and better environmental outcomes across the full lifecycle of small, flexible packaging.”