Tag: Australia

JBS bounces back from cyber attack, announces major investments in US, Australia

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US –  World’s largest meat producer JBS has come out strong from a cyber attack that almost paralyzed its North America and Australia operations, announcing major investments in the regions that were hit by the cyber attackers. Just a few days after paying an equivalent of US$11 million to prevent unforeseen risk from the cyber attack, JBS has said it is investing more than US$130 million in the U.S. beef industry to increase production capacity at two of its major beef processing facilities in Grand Island and Omaha, Neb.    The company is on schedule to complete a…

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JBS pays US$11m to resolve a cyberattack that disrupted operations in North America and Australia

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US – Brazilian meat giant JBS has confirmed that it paid a ransom equivalent to US$11 million to resolve a cyberattack that disrupted its North American and Australian operations. The breach affected servers at facilities in North America and Australia, forcing the company to pause operations at nearly all plants in the U.S. The temporary closure of operations at JBS plants (which process about 20% of beef in US) raised alarm about potential meat shortages for consumers and livestock backlogs on feedlots. However, the meat producer says that its encrypted…

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Kerry to establish new innovation center in Australia to reduce time to market for new products

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AUSTRALIA -Irish-based taste and nutrition company, Kerry has announced that it will develop a purpose-built food technology and innovation centre in Queensland, Australia in an effort to bolster food innovation in the region.  According to a statement from the company, the facility will include pilot plants, laboratories and tasting facilities in order to bring the end-to-end food innovation cycle under one roof. As a result, Kerry hopes to reduce time to market for new products and boost its capacity to drive food innovation in the region. In addition to being…

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CCEP takeover of Coca-Cola Amatil inches closer to completion following shareholder approval

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AUSTRALIA – Coca-Cola Amatil, one of the world’s five major Coca-Cola bottlers, has announced that its independent shareholders voted in favour of Coca-Cola European Partners acquiring the Australian firm for A$9.93 billion ($7.68 billion). Approval of the takeover is a major step forward in the takeover deal that was first announced in 2020 with an initial offer deal of US$6. 18 billion tabled by CCEP for a 69.2% stake in Australian counterpart. CCEP later sweetened its takeover offer in February to US$7.68 billion or A$13.5 per share from A$12.75 after…

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Bunge expands presence in alternative protein sector with new US$35M investment in Australian plant-based protein startup

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US – American agribusiness and food company Bunge has invested AU$45.7 million (about US$35 million) in Australian Plant Proteins (APP), expanding its presence in the fast-growing sector and contributing to the development of the sector in Australia. APP is a supplier of high-purity plant protein isolates. It launched its first commercial processing plant in Horsham last year. The company produces  fava bean protein isolate which has a high functionality that stems from APP’s proprietary fractionation process that retains protein quality during production. This allows APP’s protein isolates to be used…

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Nestlé inches closer to achieving net zero goal with launch of new sustainable packaging solutions

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SWITZERLAND – Swiss food manufacturing conglomerate Nestlé, has launched a new environmentally friendly packaging in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint and accelerate move towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Among the packages recently unveiled by Nestlé is a soft plastic food wrapper made with recycled content for Nestlé’s popular chocolate brand KitKat . The soft plastic food wrapper was made through a collaboration between Nestlé and a number of Australian companies comprising of CurbCycle, iQ Renew, Licella, Viva Energy Australia, LyondellBasell, REDcycle, Taghleef Industries and Amcor…

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Amano introduces savory animal-free enzyme as “climate conscious” Pizza enters the Australian Market

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JAPAN/AUSTRALIA – Japanese food ingredients giant Amano Enzyme has released its latest animal-free enzyme solution for use in the plant protein industry. The company says that the enzyme dubbed Umamizyme Pulse is designed to use in a wide variety of plant protein products to produce a savory, umami flavor, similar to monosodium glutamate (MSG). Additionally, Amano notes the new ingredient also imparts kokumi “a sensation of richness and complexity” when used in foods.  “As consumer interest in plant-based proteins continues to grow, our customers are striving to develop more plant-based…

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Mondelēz to strengthen position in the premium biscuit category with acquisition of Australian food company Gourmet Food

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AUSTRALIA – American snack food company Mondelēz International is once again doubling down on efforts to expand its snack portfolio through global acquisitions. In its latest move, the company has announced the acquisition of Australian premium cracker company Gourmet Food Holdings, for an undisclosed amount. FoodBev reported that the move to purchase Gourmet Food, which includes brands such as OB finest, Olina’s Bakehouse and Crispbic, will strengthen Mondelēz’s position in the premium biscuit and cracker category. Previously, Mondelēz has highlighted its intentions to strengthen its position in the high-growth snacking…

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Australian wine industry targeted by China in diplomatic spat, slapped with tariffs of up to 200%

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CHINA – A cloud of anxiety has covered the skies of Australia’s wine industry after Chinese authorities moved with speed to impose preliminary anti-dumping measures on wine imports from Australia including tariffs up to 200%. China made the announcement through its Ministry of Commerce in late November with the tarrifs which range from 107.1% to 212.1% coming becoming effective immediately. The move comes after China launched an anti-dumping probe into Australian wine imports back in August and a build-up of tension between the two countries over commodities trade. Despite calling…

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Packaging manufacturer Alpla Group set to build high-density polyethylene recycling plant

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MEXICO – Alpla Group, a packaging manufacturer, has announced that it is building a plant in Toluca, Mexico for recycling high-density polyethylene (HDPE). As designed, the plant will be able to produce 15,000 metric tons of recycled-content HDPE made from post-consumer materials, says the family-owned company. HDPE is used for a range of food and non-food uses, such as milk and juice bottles. Alpla moved into the field of HDPE recycling last year with the acquisition of two Spanish recycling companies, Suminco and Replacal. “Alpla has been demonstrating forward-looking action…

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