Functional ingredients manufacturer Beneo has opened a new office in Delhi, India. Having been in Asia for over 15 years, the company aims for a closer cooperation with local distributors with this opening. Christian Philippsen, managing director of Beneo Asia Pacific, said, “India is one of the most promising markets…

High demand for packaged produce and cheese consumption is predicted to drive growth of the breathable films market. The compound annual growth rate of 7.5 percent from 2016 to 2021 will put the value of the market at an estimated $3.21 billion, according to a study by MarketsandMarkets. The market’s…

Moderation and avoidance of alcohol is a key trend that is driving support for soft drinks amongst adults, according to a study by Canadean. Over half (59 percent) of global drinkers ensure they do not drink too much alcohol in general and half are concerned about the long-term health impact…

Consuming 545 million litres of 100 percent juice in 2015, China is now the world’s eighth biggest market, according to Tetra Pak. Demand for the beverage in China is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7 percent to 2018. Brazil is expected to eclipse China’s…

Flowers are an untapped source of bioactive nutrients, according to researchers from the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança in Portugal. “Apart from the ‘glam’ factor, edible flowers have important nutritional characteristics and can constitute new sources of bioactive compounds,” they added. Researchers selected edible petals and infusions of marigold flowers such…

Labels with traffic light colour schemes may sway consumers to decide on healthier options, according to a study in Germany and the US. Such colour-coded labels significantly increased healthy choices by increasing drift rate towards healthier products. The study’s results come as members of the European Parliament (MEPs) renewed calls…

No longer considered a niche segment, the global Islamic economy is estimated to be at US$1.9 trillion, according to Thomson Reuters. Halal food and beverages were worth US$1.2 trillion and is predicted to rise to US$1.9 trillion by 2021, representing a significant portion of Muslim consumer spending. Halal food has…

A major US$18 million expansion of Barry Callebaut’s facility in Singapore includes installation of a third production line, a chocolate chips/drops moulding line and a warehouse. The new chocolate chips/drops moulding line will enable production of different recipes or product shapes sizes to satisfy market demand. The facility also now…

The NZ$10 million (US$7 million) refinery located in Nelson has the capacity to refine up to 5,000 tonnes of Omega-3 fish oil, and the potential to generate up to NZ$50 million (US$35.4 million) in sales annually. SeaDragon chairman Colin Groves said, “New Zealand operates fisheries that are recognised for their…

Dutch animal feed producer De Heus has opened a new €10 million (US$11 million) feed plant in Yangon, Myanmar. The facility is located close to the prime agriculture production areas in the country. With a current capacity of 120,000 tons per year, the feed plant has potential to expand to…