Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

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.

EFSA approval for two food contact substances

16-Dec-2009 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has delivered positive opinions on two substances for use in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) food contact materials.

News in brief

San Miguel to buy Australasian packaging company

16-Dec-2009 - San Miguel Corp is poised to acquire a majority stake in Australasian packaging company Cospak Group as part of its expansion strategy in the region.

EU clears Amcor takeover of Alcan

15-Dec-2009 - Amcor’s takeover of Alcan has been cleared by the European Commission after the Australian company agreed to sell off two pharmaceutical and food packaging plants in Spain.

Weekly comment

Bisphenol A becomes test of leadership for FDA

14-Dec-2009 - Each day the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dithers in delivering its verdict on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA), its authority is diminished and its credibility wanes.

UN agencies to hold bisphenol A safety summit

09-Dec-2009 - Two United Nations bodies are to convene an international meeting on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging over growing anxiety of the chemical’s possible threat to human health.

Asian food growth to drive flexible packaging sales recovery

03-Dec-2009 - Destocking, and lower volume orders have kept flexible packaging demand static in 2009, but growth is expected to return, as packaged food takes off in India and China, according to a new report.

Amcor ready to sell to safeguard Alcan deal

26-Nov-2009 - Amcor has indicated it would be prepared to sell a flexible packaging business to address European Union anti-trust fears over its proposed takeover of Alcan.

News in brief

Ajinomoto brands aspartame AminoSweet

25-Nov-2009 - Ajinomoto has unveiled a new brand name for its aspartame sweetener which draws on its origin from amino acids.

Scientist defends study linking phthalates to feminising boys

19-Nov-2009 - The leading scientist of research that suggests boys exposed to phthalates during pregnancy have more feminine play habits has defended the report after a chemical industry body disputed its reliability.

PureCircle raises $67.18m for stevia investment

18-Nov-2009 - Sweetener company PureCircle has raised $67.18m through share placing to invest in the development of its natural sweetener products made from stevia leaves.

Coca-Cola packaging redesign spearheads global strategy

18-Nov-2009 - Coca-Cola is to create a single global packaging design for its key juice brands as part of a bid to cement its market leadership in the sector, the company has announced.

Coca-Cola begins global launch of plant-based PET bottle

17-Nov-2009 - Coca-Cola Co yesterday announced the selective global roll-out of its new PET bottle made from up to 30 per cent plant materials such as sugar and molasses.

Packaging innovation aimed at low scale confectionery makers

13-Nov-2009 - A new digital press can provide cost effective customised decoration of metal containers for eco-conscious confectionery makers involved in small volume applications, claims a US speciality packaging firm.