World: GCC countries rely on food imports, finds report

Marginal farming activities owing to limited water resources and climatic conditions, make Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries primarily dependent on food imports. According to a recent Frost & Sullivan analysis, 70% of food products in the GCC are imported of which cereals comprise 55% of total food imports. Imported foods are locally processed for consumption and re-export, creating opportunities for...

Europe: Institute ranks three foodborne diseases impacting Denmark

Campylobacter is the foodborne bacteria that contributes most to the burden of disease in Denmark, according to a study from the National Food Institute of the Technical University of Denmark. For the first time in Denmark, the institute ranks three foodborne bacteria according to the burden of disease they impose on society as a whole. The study provides authorities and other...

Asia Pacific: Japanese scientists develop rubber-like glass for high heat environment

Researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new form of ‘rubber-like’ glass that may have applications in high temperature or strongly oxidative environments. Flexible substances that can withstand high temperatures are much sought after for various industrial and engineering applications. The types of glass made from oxides are hard at room temperature and fracture easily, but the scientists...

Europe: Institute develops system that tells horse meat, beef apart

Scientists at the Institute of Food Research on the Norwich Research Park have teamed up with Oxford Instruments to develop a fast, cheap alternative to DNA testing as a means of distinguishing horse meat from beef. As horses and cattle have different digestive systems, the fat components of the two meats have different fatty acid compositions, as the team report...

Europe: UPM Raflatac unveils food-contact adhesive

UPM Raflatac has launched a high-clarity deep freeze adhesive for the European market. The 149 DF adhesive is designed for fast conversion and minimal residue on die tools, resulting in higher efficiency. With clear film labels, the water-based acrylic 149 DF also provides an improved level of transparency compared to hotmelt solutions and enhances shelf-appeal for frozen foods. The acrylic formulation also...

World: Croda’s sites in Brazil, India receive RSPO certification

Global speciality chemical company Croda says its manufacturing sites in Brazil and India have received certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a non-profit, multi stakeholder organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable production of palm oil worldwide, for Mass Balance production at its site. The company has successfully achieved certification of a number of its manufacturing sites to handle...

Europe: Beneo showcases blood sugar management solutions at HiE 2014

Within its overriding theme ‘The Power of Less’, Beneo is focusing on balancing blood sugar levels at Health Ingredients Europe 2014 from December 2 to 4 at Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The company will demonstrate how its ingredients can lower the blood glucose response of food and drinks and consequently contribute to healthy lifestyles. In addition to blood sugar management, it will...

Europe: Guala Closures Group introduces liners for wine

Guala Closures Group introduces a new range of liners with different levels of oxygen permeability rates for the wine industry, developed through a partnership with Lyon-based Manufacture Génerale de Joints (MGJ). The two companies have worked for the last two years to develop the Oenoseal branded technology, which extends across all the Guala Closures screw cap family for wines. The range...

Americas: PolyOne Corp acquires specialty coatings solution provider from Accella

PolyOne Corporation has acquired specialty assets from Accella Performance Materials, a North American manufacturer of liquid polymer formulations. Accella will retain its polyurethanes and rubber products businesses. The acquired business joins PolyOne's global color, additives and inks segment, and provides specialty coatings solutions and value-added services in a wide range of applications, including consumer products, interior and under-the-hood automotive parts, outdoor...

Europe: Smurfit Kappa opens Bag-in-Box plant in Spain

Smurfit Kappa has opened its Bag-in-Box plant in Ibi, Spain, meeting a growing demand in the Mediterranean region. The facility, which has seen an investment of €28 million (US$34.92 million) by the company, is integrating the production of taps and bags under one roof. The plant’s automated production lines and team produce millions of taps and bags every month in order...