environment

World Confectionery Conference QandA session offers key event centrepiece

Momentum for this year’s World Confectionery Conference is progressing strongly, with one of the key features for our event, its QandA session, set to prove a focal point once again.

Business news, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability

Mars continues wider industry progress towards more environmentally sound packaging

The decision to unveil Mars bars this week with a trial of more environmentally friendly packaging is something that can only be welcomed as a particularly encouraging sign that the industry is now taking positive steps to improve its performance.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability

Mars bars gain major recyclable packaging initiative in key UK retail trial

A major environmental move has been put forward this week as Mars bars make a limited switch to recyclable packaging variants, as part of its wider sustainability drive on reducing a reliance on plastics for its product ranges, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Regulatory

Interpack is back with a bang, with a host of technology unveiled for global markets

For this week’s blog, I’d like to just offer a simple note of thanks to everyone we met at this year’s Interpack in Germany, including its organisers, who helped ensure that the event more than exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing

Major environmental matters continue to take centre stage across the sector

With this week seeing the International Day of Forests and today marking World Water Day, it seems as if there has never been a greater level of focus placed on major environmental matters impacting the world, industry and wider society.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Exclusive: International Day of Forests event champions ‘CFI 2.0’ collaborative cocoa initiatives

Marking the UN’s International Day of Forests, key industry stakeholders in the cocoa sector staged a webinar on how businesses in the sector can play their part in positively impacting forest loss, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Dove Galaxy embarks on global empowering women in cocoa campaign

The Mars-owned Dove Galaxy chocolate brand has unveiled plans for a major campaign targeting one million people through measures designed to empower women in core cocoa growing communities, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Kerry confirms Australian sites have delivered on renewable energy strategy

Taste and nutrition group Kerry has confirmed that electricity in its Australia sites is now fully aligned to 100% renewable sources, further boosting its environmental performance, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability

Fairtrade Fortnight set to begin with Endangered Aisle pop up event

Fairtrade Fortnight in the UK is set to kick off featuring a pop up, The Endangered Aisle, in East London, placing a spotlight on the major environmental and wider social challenges facing key supply chains, including the cocoa trade, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability

Perfetti Van Melle joins UK Plastics Pact targeting major improvements on recycling

Confectionery group Perfetti Van Melle has become the latest major business from across the confectionery and snacks sector to join the UK Plastics Pact, aiming to drive key change on tackling pollution and improving environmental performance, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Bühler CEO hails significant results upturn despite global supply chain disruption

Bühler CEO Stefan Scheiber has welcomed an upturn in annual results, delivering an order intake increase of 8.7% to CHF 3.3 billion, 10% turnover rise to CHF 3 billion, and net profits up 37.5% to CHF 154 million, despite challenging market conditions, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Mars Australia recognised for its major sustainable packaging drive

Mars Australia has emerged with industry honours for its developments in sustainable packaging, after claiming the prize for Outstanding Achievement for Recycled Content as part of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation’s annual awards in Sydney, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Sustainability

Mondelēz International’s State of Snacking report highlights key market growth, including plant-based ranges

The fourth annual State of Snacking report from Mondelēz International has found a strong majority of consumers – 71% will treat themselves twice a day, with an even greater number, 78% doing so in a mindful manner, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Shemesh Automation asserts packaging sector’s environmental improvement goals remain vital

With major logistics and energy challenges facing the sector in 2023, addressing climate change through improving company environmental performance is set to continue play a central role within the packaging segment, according to a key firm in the sector, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Barry Callebaut releases its chocolate trends for 2023

The Barry Callebaut group has delivered the latest edition of its chocolate confectionery trends reports for global markets, revealing high demand for product ranges that are indulgent, as well as sustainably produced, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability

Choco Tec 2022: event review

Editor Neill Barston offers an exclusive review of this year’s Choco Tec event, including speaking to show director Andreas Bertram on his assessment of this year’s event, which return to Cologne for the first time in 4 years in its live form, due to the pandemic.