News

The manufacturer of high-purity stevia ingredients, PureCircle Ltd., Kuala Lumpur, has marked the completion of a USD 42 m expansion of its stevia plant in Malaysia with a ceremony attended by the Minister of Energy, Green Technology & Water. SP

SternMaid has extended its filling capacities for small packs. In order to respond even more flexibly to customers’ wishes, SternMaid has invested in a Doypack line. SP

Swiss firm Nestle is close to reaching a deal with Cuba on forming a new joint venture to build a $50 million to $60 million factory to produce coffee, biscuits and cooking products, company Vice President Laurent Freixe said in Havana. SG

The U.S. concern Cargill introduces a newly developed texturizing solution that will enable European confectionery manufacturers to achieve optimal texture and transparency while reducing drying time by up to 50 % for their gelatin-free winegum applications. SP

Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate has launched new additions to its coatings and fillings range offering extended capabilities to manufacturers, with innovations designed to answer key trends and consumer preferences. SG SP

Lindt & Sprüngli once again grew at a faster pace than the overall chocolate market in 2016. Consolidated sales increased by 6.8% to CHF 3.901 bn. Organic sales growth was 6.0%. The Group’s operating profit (EBIT) rose by 8.4% to CHF 562.5 m. SG

The Romaco Group has once again reported a double-digit rise in incoming orders for the fiscal year 2016, confirming the upward trend of the previous years. With orders totalling € 143.7 m, the company achieved a 10.6% increase compared to 2015. SP

The Cemoi Group has announced the acquisition of the Chris Candies company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1940 by George Christ, Chris Candies, Inc. was owned to date by private investors. SG

The Swiss long-life bakery product industry looks back onto a variable 2016. Overall, less biscuits and affiliated products were sold than in the previous year. Whereas turnover in the domestic market recovered, compared to the previous year, export business again showed a strong negative development. SG

The food processing and packaging equipment supplier tna Australia Solutions Pty Ltd. has announced the acquisition of Australian confectionery equipment supplier NID. SG SP

At a company-sponsored investor conference in New York, The Hershey Company announced initiatives designed to drive continued net sales, operating profit and earnings per share-diluted growth. SG

Vitafoods Europe, the annual event where the entire nutraceutical supply chain meets, takes place from 9 to 11 May, 2017, at Palexpo in Geneva. SP

To address the growing market need for complete system solutions, Bosch Packaging Technology has launched an online information platform featuring its value enhancing complete system solutions for the confectionery, bakery, nuts, snacks and powder industries. SP

Even with the support of an increasing amount of sustainability projects, most cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire still live far below the poverty line. SP

The renowned research award “Excellence in Flavor Science” 2016 is given to Prof. Dr. Veronika Somoza, a research partner of Symrise. SP