AFRICA'S NO.1 FOOD, BEVERAGE & MILLING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

Molson Coors introduces Vizzy Hard Seltzer watermelon variety pack as Jack Daniels ends partnership with Bacardi in Austria

Jul 22, 2021Jul 23, 2021 Editor

US – Chicago-based multinational beverage company Molson Coors Beverage Company is expanding its popular Vizzy Hard Seltzer portfolio with the introduction of a watermelon variety pack. The new offering made with real watermelon juice and vitamin C features four watermelon flavour combinations: blueberry watermelon, kiwi watermelon, passionfruit watermelon, and mango watermelon. Each 5% ABV variant contains 100 calories and 1g of sugar. The launch follows the introduction of another new Vizzy Hard Seltzer variety pack earlier this year, featuring papaya passionfruit, blackberry lemon, watermelon strawberry, and raspberry tangerine flavours. Barcadi to stop distributing Jack Daniels in Austria Meanwhile, Brown-Forman, one of the largest American-owned spirits…

European chocolate brand Ritter Sport goes green with new paper-based wrappers

Nov 23, 2020Nov 23, 2020 Editor

AUSTRIA – Ritter Sport, a chocolate brand from the family-owned Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG, is ditching its standard plastic wrappers for paper-based packaging in a first-time trial. According to a statement from the company, the paper-based trial will be rolled out in the brand’s limited-edition Chocolate & Weed which is being re-introduced to the Austrian market and will be made available for as long as stocks last. “The primary objective is to test paper-based packaging under practical conditions in retail stores,” Petra Fix, global sustainability communications at Alfred…

Royal DSM completes acquisition of Erber Group’s Biomin and Romer Labs

Oct 5, 2020Oct 5, 2020 Editor

AUSTRIA – Royal DSM, a Netherland based, health and nutrition player, has announced that it has completed its acquisition of Erber Group’s Biomin and Romer Labs for an enterprise value of EUR980 million (US$1.1 billion). Biomin specializes primarily in mycotoxin risk management and gut health performance management, and the Romer Labs business focuses on food and feed safety diagnostic solutions. Both expand DSM’s range of higher value-add specialty solutions. Sanphar and EFB, representing 7% of Erber Group’s total sales, were not included in the transaction. “The acquisition of Erber Group’s…

Chr. Hansen acquires HSO Health Care to grow its women probiotics offering

Apr 21, 2020Apr 22, 2020 Editor

DENMARK – The Danish biosciences company, Chr. Hansen has entered into an agreement to acquire Austria-based B2B company specializing in probiotics for women’s health, HSO Health Care GmbH. The companies did not disclose the details of the transaction. However, Chr. Hansen said that the acquisition will be financed from existing available cash and bank facilities adding that it has no impact on its the 2019/20 outlook. The transaction is expected to close later this week. Chr Hansen also expects HSO’s 2020 revenues to hit approximately EUR15 million, with an EBITDA…

Agrana acquires US-based organic distribution company Marroquin Organic

Feb 4, 2020Feb 4, 2020 Editor

AUSTRIA – The Vienna-based fruit, starch and sugar group, Agrana, has acquired Marroquin Organic International, enabling the company to expand its distribution activities in its starch segment in the US. Headquartered in California, Marroquin Organic was founded by Grace Marroquin and has been in the ingredients supplying business for the past 29 years as well as a long-standing distribution partner of Agrana. Grace Marroquin says: “Teaming up with Agrana is a natural choice for us. We’ve been working with their outstanding product line for over 20 years, helping the industry to…

Agrana invests US$3.75m at R&D sites in in France and Austria

Jan 24, 2020Jan 24, 2020 Editor

AUSTRIA – Agrana, a Vienna-headquartered food company is investing around €3.4 million (US$3.75m) at two research and development sites in France and Austria this year. The investment includes €2.6 million (US$2.87m) in France to open a new development centre for fruit preparation in Mitry-Mory and €800,000 for the expansion of the Austrian research centre ARIC in Tulln. This will bring the annual research and development expenditures of the Agrana Group amount to around €20 million (US$22.07m). The group said the investment will enable the company to differentiate itself from competitors…

Mondi announces departure of group’s chief executive officer Peter Oswald

Jan 14, 2020Jan 14, 2020 Editor

AUSTRIA – Mondi Plc has announced that its Chief Executive Officer Peter Oswald, will step down from the position and the board of packaging and paper group and leave the company on 31st March 2020. The company has appointed Andrew King, the Group’s Chief Financial Officer to take on the role of Interim CEO after Peter steps down and until a successor is appointed. Commenting on the leadership Peter’s departure David Williams, Chair of Mondi plc, said: “Peter has made an immense contribution to the growth and development of Mondi…

Emmi acquires majority stake in Austrian milk processor Leeb Biomilch

Apr 3, 2019Apr 3, 2019 Editor

EUROPE – The Swiss dairy company, Emmi has acquired 66% stake in Austrian goat’s and sheep’s milk processor Leeb Biomilch GmbH for an undisclosed sum. Emmi says the move will enable expand its international dairy business supported by rising demand for goat, sheep milk and related products. As part of the agreement, the company co-founders Hubert Leeb and Jörg Hackenbuchner will retain the remaining 34 %. Founded in 2001, Leeb Biomilch has established network in Europe, supplying organic goat’s and sheep’s milk products in fresh and UHT milk, milk drinks…

Mondi develops fully recyclable packaging material, BarrierPack Recyclable

Mar 5, 2018 Editor

AUSTRIA – Mondi plc, manufacturer of paper and packaging products has unveiled a fully-recyclable packaging material, BarrierPack Recyclable, a plastic laminate that could be used as a recyclable alternative for domestic and industrial applications. The new laminates are made for pre-made pouches and FFS roll stock to that enhances both efficiency and meet product barrier properties. BarrierPack recyclable is friendly to the environment and has been validated for existing industrial recycling streams, according to the company. Mondi is strongly committed to innovation by investing in tailor-made flexible packaging solutions in…