Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Industry slams ‘unachievable’ packaging recycling targets

11-Mar-2010 - New plastic packaging recycling targets set by the UK Government are unachievable and potentially counterproductive, leading industry bodies have said.

SIG Combibloc blazes green trail in China

11-Mar-2010 - The first FSC-labelled cartons are to be launched onto the Chinese market, said SIG Combibloc as it seeks to raise awareness of sustainability issues in the global economic powerhouse.

Tetra Pak banks on emerging markets for growth

09-Mar-2010 - Tetra Pak said stronger sales in the final quarter of 2009 and emerging markets offset declining demand in Eastern Europe and Central Asia as it posted an increase in net sales of 1.2 per cent for the year to almost €9bn.

News in brief

Bemis completes Alcan buy

05-Mar-2010 - Bemis announced it has completed the US$1.2bn takeover of Alcan Packaging Food Americas after agreeing to divest two of the company’s flexible packing operations.

Fonterra traces musty flavour defect in dairy drinks

03-Mar-2010 - Fonterra research has found that a musty flavour defect in beverages containing calcium caseinate is due to tainting by TBP and TBA, which likely to be caused by contamination in transport.

Restructuring insulates Huhtamaki’s profits from market weakness

03-Mar-2010 - Finnish packaging provider Huhtamaki has reported a sharp decline in 2009 sales but profits held up thanks to divestments and cost reductions.

Bisphenol A levels in cans triggers call for ban

01-Mar-2010 - Tests have revealed the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in the linings of beverage cans and some of the drinks themselves, including ones made by Nestle and Red Bull, said Friends of the Earth (FOE).

EU labelling could be seen as a trade barrier

01-Mar-2010 - European food labelling must be honest and informative to consumers while not unfairly penalising suppliers from countries outside the EU, Robert Madelin, director general of the European Commission’s health directorate DG Sanco, has argued.

Coke unveils plan to buy most of its largest bottler

25-Feb-2010 - Coca-Cola has revealed plans to buy the bulk of its largest bottler following a similar move from rival PepsiCo last year.

Growing optimism in packaging industry, says survey

23-Feb-2010 - Increasing revenues, growth in the emerging markets and a belief that companies will boost spending on packaging over the next two years are all trends forecast in a new industry survey.

Crown expands can production in Vietnam

17-Feb-2010 - Crown is planning to install a second beverage can line and double production at a recently acquired drinks container facility in Vietnam.

Snack maker hails integrated packing system

12-Feb-2010 - Speed, accuracy and minimal giveaway are all benefits of using Ishida’s integrated multihead weigher and bag maker, said UK snack manufacturer Snacks Unlimited.

Liquid crystal advance could boost food shelf life

10-Feb-2010 - A breakthrough in the manipulation of liquid crystals could result in food packaging that extends product shelf-life, according to new research from the United States.

Crown eyes acquisitions; forecasts demand rebound in US and Europe

03-Feb-2010 - Crown Holdings said it is looking to make acquisitions in emerging markets and expected demand in its North American and Western European packaging sectors to bounce back this year.

Amcor completes Alcan acquisition

02-Feb-2010 - Global packaging giant Amcor today announced that its acquisition of Alcan Packaging had been completed as it spelled out what the move would mean for suppliers and customers.

Sustainable packaging definitions and principles agreed

28-Jan-2010 - Global leaders across the packaging, food manufacturing and retail sectors have approved a set of common definitions and principles for sustainable packaging.

'Revolutionary' fruit punnet to aid shelf life extension

26-Jan-2010 - A “revolutionary” ventilation system for a new soft fruit punnet reduces condensation by 20 per cent to help extend shelf life, said manufacturer Sharp Interpack.

Consumer group urges bisphenol A and phthalate phase out

12-Jan-2010 - An Australian consumer group has urged the food industry to phase out the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates in packaging on health fears.

India set for food packaging revolution

12-Jan-2010 - Food packaging in India will undergo huge changes in the next five years as companies increasingly use it as an important vehicle for product differentiation, said a report from Datamonitor.

Martens China picks Bericap scavenging closure for PET beers

07-Jan-2010 - Bericap has signed a new deal with Martens China to supply the brewer with a SuperShorty scavenging closure for its PET beer bottles.

Amcor gets US approval for Alcan takeover

05-Jan-2010 - The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has given partial approval for Amcor’s takeover of Alcan after announcing it would now limit its review to Alcan’s Medical Flexible operations.

Rio Tinto accepts Amcor offer for Alcan

23-Dec-2009 - Rio Tinto today formally accepted the offer by Amcor to buy Alcan Packaging for US$2.025bn.

Sustainability to nurture green-shoots for cartonboard sector

22-Dec-2009 - The market for cartonboard and folded boxes is set to improve next year after a “difficult” two years as companies look to expand sustainable packaging options, forecasts a leading European trade body.

Nestle launches lightweight PET bottle

17-Dec-2009 - Nestle Waters has launched a new version of its Eco-Shape PET bottle which the company claims is one of the world’s lightest half-litre bottles.