Sustainable September
From cartons to cars: Finding new avenues for used packaging
Fiat now incorporates recycled materials from used cartons into its vehicles. How much potential do cross-industry collaborations like this have?
Processing & packaging
AI, paper bottles and lightweighting: The latest developments from next-gen packaging projects
Can artificial intelligence reshape material discovery? How far can lightweighting go? What potential do paper bottles have? Innovators are pushing tech forward like never before...
Brand new: Amway, Mengniu, GNC in the spotlight
See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including new initiatives between Amway and biotech firm HEM Pharma, Mengniu’s sports nutrition plans and more.
Tetra Pak and other majors join manufacturing alliance
The newly formed FMTE aims to influence policy and boost R&D in food manufacturing
Mexican-Danish collaboration seeks to transform whey waste into single-cell protein
Scientists in Mexico and Denmark are using mixed microbial communities to convert waste whey into single-cell protein, providing an environmentally-friendly and nutritious alternative protein source.
Making green affordable: Tackling the true cost of sustainable food packaging
Sustainable packaging is no longer a niche idea but making it affordable at scale remains a massive challenge. How will the Rethinking Materials Summit 2025 help turn breakthrough innovations in biochemicals and biomaterials into real-world solutions?
Europe’s EPR: How the EU is harmonising packaging regulation
As the UK’s EPR comes into force, the EU is harmonising its own schemes
Reducing packaging waste: Five considerations
How can packaging manufactures reduce waste and improve sustainability across the entire supply chain?
AI with robotics: The next frontier in packaging optimization
Packaging has a lot to gain from AI - but steep upfront costs mean businesses must consider which parts of their operations need it the most
Paper-based packaging: future force or busted flush?
Paper-based packaging has been a hit in some CPG categories, but less so in others. The key is striking a balance between what’s possible and what’s necessary, packaging experts say
How AI is transforming packaging design practices
From accelerating label design to generating 4D visuals on the fly, how is AI influencing packaging design?
Lactalis, Tetra Pak share industry-first packaging innovation
The partnership has yielded a first of its kind sustainable beverage carton, but a myriad of industry-wide challenges continue to overshadow progress in the sector
Can functional dairy beverages thrive on the ‘dusty shelf’?
Products such as probiotic-enriched milk can now be stored outside the fridge thanks to food technology and packaging innovations. But would consumers buy into the emerging category?
Barriers and opportunities in dairy reformulation
We speak to three trade bodies about what product manufacturers should know about reformulation, the progress made in key markets, and the challenges that remain.
‘We were shocked’: How Abel & Cole turned to plastic to produce the most eco-friendly milk bottle
With a lower carbon footprint than glass, Abel & Cole’s reusable plastic bottle is far less humble than its looks suggest.
US recycling laws ‘a growing pain point’ for food producers, says FoodChain ID
With regulators pushing for improved recyclability and reduced packaging waste, how should manufacturers navigate the latest regulations and packaging trends?
Heatless technique does the same job as pasteurisation, but keeps key protein intact
Pasteurisation has always used significant amounts of heat. A new technology, however, can fulfil the same function without this heat, thus keeping a key protein intact.
From holograms to health claims: Academics round up packaging innovations in cheese
From improving packaging shapes to integrating QR codes on-pack, there’s a lot that cheese manufacturers can lean on in order to attract, retain and re-invigorate consumer interest.
Foodborne bacteria can adapt to cleaning methods, research suggests
Foodborne bacteria such as listeria can adapt to cleaning methods in ready-to-eat food factories, new research suggests, pointing to a potential explanation for high levels of infections.
Amcor launches recycle-ready packaging for fresh mozzarella
The packaging major says its recyclable packaging could help dairy brands get ready for the upcoming changes in the EU packaging and waste regulation.
From paperization to promotional messaging: How are plant-based milk brands differentiating?
We speak to two leading packaging manufacturers about the materials, formats and branding choices that plant-based milk manufacturers are eyeing in 2024.
Standard bacterial testing for organic raw milk is 'not sufficient', study finds
Is LPC testing enough to determine the type of thermoduric bacteria present in milk? This is the question that Cornell University scientists tried to address.
Ireland introduces Deposit Return Scheme
Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) – a nationwide money-back initiative for plastic bottles and aluminum cans – launches this month in a bid to improve recycling rates.
Not all ultra-processed foods impact health the same way, research suggests
Intensifying criticism of ultra-processed foods without nuanced consideration of their nutrition could unfairly tar some plant-based meats and milks that “compare well with their animal-based counterparts,” which may be viewed more favorably because they...
'A disruptive solution': A closer look at Tetra Pak’s aseptic carton with paper-based barrier
From recyclability to carbon footprint and shelf life, we find out more about the properties of Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf, Tetra Pak’s new aseptic carton with a paper-based barrier.
Amcor teams up with Fromagerie Milleret to release recyclable packaging for soft cheese
The new packaging uses Amcor’s proprietary ‘breathable’ material and is fully recyclable in existing paper streams.
‘It will strengthen and broaden our portfolio': SIG poised to innovate ‘faster and better’ at new Packaging Development Center
The packaging solutions provider says the €10m/$10.8m facility will strengthen the company’s ability to optimize, test and qualify new packaging structures, paving the way for developing more sustainable packaging options for the food and beverage...
Nestlé invests £7 million into new hard-to-recycle plastics plant
Global food and beverage conglomerate Nestlé injects multi-million-pound investment into Impact Recycling’s pioneering facility to progress hard-to-recycle plastic management and create positive environmental change.
‘Innovating the entire approach to cheese waxing’: How the first fossil-free cheese wax took shape
Danish packaging and ingredient specialist Procudan tells DairyReporter how a close collaboration with academics and dairy companies led to the launch of what’s considered the first cheese wax made entirely from natural materials that also matches the...
Breaking the recycling barrier: Mono-material packaging suitable for ‘any cheese’ launches
Packaging multinational Mondi has partnered with Swedish dairy co-op Skånemejerier to launch new mono-material packaging that's easy to sort and recycle.
Packaging and processing innovation: Saputo’s grated cheese packaging, Ocado’s digital deposit return scheme win gongs
A 'world-first' industry scheme that rewarded consumers for recycling their used milk bottles, and a new recyclable packaging for grated cheese developed by Amcor were among the dairy industry innovations recognized at the UK Packaging Awards 2023.
‘Greater control’: Walmart makes strategic investment with Valdosta milk plant
The largest supermarket chain in the US says the new processing plant will help bring needed capacity to the region and allow the retailer to better control the production process, from bottling to packaging.
Sustainable grocer ditches glass for returnable plastic milk bottles
British online grocer Abel & Cole says it has created the UK’s first environmentally-friendly refillable plastic milk bottle in order to reduce carbon emissions from logistics.
Paraffin-free cheese wax made of natural materials launched by Procudan
The product's patented formulation overcomes the limitations of traditional beeswax-based waxes by incorporating other natural materials in the mix - and some of Europe's largest dairies have already tested the product.
Sustainable strides: Mengniu overcomes recyclability challenges of dairy packaging
China diary giant Mengniu says it has overcome some of the long-standing recyclability challenges in the category with a new all-polyethylene (PE) yoghurt packaging concept.
SIG to increase paper content in F&B cartons to 90% by 2030
The move would ensure aseptic cartons can be recycled in the same pulping process as waste paper.
Industry-first: Arla to trial fiber-based caps for milk cartons
The dairy co-operative says swapping plastic with fiber-based caps could reduce the plastic used in its milk cartons whilst improving recyclability at the same time.
DSM-Firmenich releases lactase that reduces hydrolysis time by 25%
The company’s new enzymatic solution can also be used to support ‘no added sugar’ formulations by naturally increasing sweetness in dairy products.
Inside the dairy: How is ‘king of cheeses’ Parmigiano Reggiano made?
Consumer turnover of Parmigiano Reggiano recently hit an all-time high of €2.9bn. What is it about this famed cheese that makes it unique? And as a premium product, what systems do producers put in place to protect against potential food fraud?...
Coca-Cola to build new fairlife production facility in upstate New York
The Coca-Cola Company has selected Webster, New York as its preferred location for a new $650m production facility for ultra-filtered milk fairlife.
SIG opens aseptic carton plant in Mexico
The new €73m ($80m) aseptic carton packaging plant in Queretaro, Mexico, will serve North American markets.
Arla wants to be ‘at the forefront’ of plastic recycling innovation with new pyrolysis trial
The dairy co-operative is testing a new processing method, which would enable 80 tons of non-recyclable plastic to be kept within the loop.
Krones acquires 90% stake in Ampco Pumps
Krones has signed an agreement to acquire 90% of Ampco Pumps Company LLC, a Wisconsin company supplying sanitary pumps and applied products like mixing and blending equipment to the food, beverage, dairy processing, personal care and pharmaceuticals markets.
Opinion
Beef genetics driving efficiency and consistency in beef supply chains
With an increasing amount of beef coming from the dairy herd, Boomer Birch, Beef Programme Manager at Cogent Breeding explains how insightful data can drive consistent improvements and profitability throughout the dairy-cross-beef supply chain.
‘We are at a turning point’: Fewer than 10% of UK food makers prioritize sustainability - Tetra Pak research
As consumer support for sustainable packaging gains pace, labor shortages and supply chain constraints are hindering the sustainability efforts of the food and beverage industry in the UK and Ireland.
Dairy, deli, bakery manufacturers embrace technology to cut supply chain costs
To address rising production costs and supply chain issues, companies should look at their technology stack to improve operations and save money, Jared Frederici, a consultant with The Poirier Group, shared in an International Dairy Deli Bakery...
Novozymes switches from filtration to ‘raslysation’ to reduce energy costs, improve safety
The Denmark-headquartered biotech group says replacing its depth-filtration system with a UV-based treatment solution will enable the enzyme company to ‘take more control’ over its ingredient production.
Functional fixation: Tetra Pak Oceania highlights value-added dairy and sustainability as major drivers for business growth
Food and beverage packaging giant Tetra Pak has highlighted the areas of value-added dairy and sustainable innovation as major drivers for its business growth in Oceania in the coming year.
SIG to invest $64m in Indian aseptic carton plant
SIG will construct its first aseptic carton plant in India, the world’s largest milk market and one of the largest juice producing countries.
‘Valid alternative’: Could dry-molded fiber containers spell the end of plastic milk bottles?
DMF is recyclable, less energy-intensive to produce, and has already been utilized as an alternative to single-use plastics. But the material had never been used in beverage packaging – until now.