Naturally Iowa nears packaging consolidation US organic dairy group Naturally Iowa said it is now in the final stages of acquiring the supplier of its fully recyclable polylactic acid (PLA) packaing, which will become a wholly owned subsidiary.
The move is expected to grant the company a more streamlined and cost efficient packaging arm amidst growing consumer concern over packaging waste and recycling.
Group president William Horner said the purchase of PLA Supply Company would secure Naturally Iowa's as a major innovator for greener packaging in the dairy industry.
"This acquisition will secure our leadership position in pioneering dairy containers derived from 100 per cent annually renewable resources such as corn," he said.
Focusing on renewable resources was more vital then ever in the industry, with the high prices of commodities like oil continuing to hit manufacturers' margins throughout the food and beverage industry, the company said.
Horner claimed that the growing importance of renewable packaging in this market would also create a number of opportunities for the group in the future.
"This acquisition also gives Naturally Iowa the opportunity to work with other dairy and beverage companies in providing them with sustainable bottles made from corn," he stated.
"[The purchase] allows us to turn corn starch resin to fully IMS Approved bottles, allowing Naturally Iowa to be a worldwide leader in renewable packaging for dairy."
Swedmilk eyes further Macedonian investment Expansion may be on the cards for the dairy group Swedmilk Makedonija just weeks after the company began manufacturing from its plant in Skopje, Macedonia.
Group managing Director Roger Oscarson told DairyReporter.com that the group was considering expanding its range of dairy products towards more non-liquid goods as part of a new wave of investment in the country.
Swedmilk was formed last year as a jointly funded venture between the Swedish government, the commercial investment fund Swedmilk and Macedonian group M&A beverages.
Since it began commercial production in the country, Swedmilk has been producing a number of dairy products including milk, flavoured milk, yogurt, probiotic yogurts and flavoured yogurt.
The company have joined a growing number of businesses looking to tap into increasing demand for higher value dairy in the emerging consumer markets of Eastern Europe.
Wimm-Bill-Dann enters Canadian juices Wimm-Bill-Dann Food, Russia's largest manufacturer of dairy products, is set to diversify beyond its homeland by entering into the ripe Canadian juice market.
The group announced yesterday that it will work in the country with local manufacturer Wonder Berry to produce Mors, which it says is a traditional Russian drink made from berries.
As milk prices continue to pressure margins for dairy producers, the company expects the beverage, which uses fresh cranberries, whortleberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries to expand its presence globally.
Mors is already available in Europe, Central Asia and some countries in the Americas, Wimm-Bill-Dann added.