Europe: Danish university staff make local seaweed as alternative to imported ones used in Japanese cuisine

The Danish Shellfish Centre at Technical University of Denmark (DTU) has recently provided samples of edible seaweed grown in the Limfjord, Denmark. Staff at the center is making headway in producing a Danish alternative to the imported sheets of seaweed used in the traditional Japanese cuisine. At the beginning of March 2014, the first sheets of Danish sugar kelp were introduced...

Americas: DSM, scientist highlight beneficial effects of vitamin E on fatty liver disease at event

DSM is engaging with leading members of the scientific community, as part of ongoing efforts to further its understanding of the ways in which vitamin E can support human health. These cover areas of research, including the role of vitamin E supplementation in limiting the negative health implications of fatty liver disease, the use of vitamin E in model systems...

Americas: Obesity, food loss affect access to food, finds DuPont-sponsored study

DuPont and the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) on May 28, 2014 released the 2014 Global Food Security Index that showed 70% of countries in the study increased their food security scores over the previous year. The 2014 Index measures 109 countries against 28 food security indicators that monitor the ongoing impact of agriculture investments, collaborations and policies around the world. The...

Europe: Taghleef Industries enters graphic arts film industry with Derprosa

Taghleef Industries (Ti), a global biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BoPP) producer, has closed the transaction to acquire Derprosa Film, a Spanish supplier of flexible films for the packaging industry and the graphic arts applications. Founded in 1988 in Jaén, Spain, Derprosa Film manufactures and markets BoPP films for food packaging, labels and graphic arts. The headquarters and the production facilities are...

Europe: EFSA gives safety green light to Phoenix Technologies’ rPET process

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has given Phoenix Technologies International the green light for its manufacturing process based on extra small particle size technology. EFSA’s Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids is responsible for the recycling process safety assessment. The panel concluded that “the recycled PET obtained from the process Phoenix ESPS intended to be...

Europe: Wipak wins PackTheFuture Award for folding, double-chamber package at interpack 2014

The film concept developed by Wipak for Hans Kupfer & Sohn is a new system for cheese, sausage and meat packaging., which uses a rigid film based on polyester (350 μm). The film is formed using a thermoforming machine, filled and then closed. The food products are in two separate chambers, closed under inert gas atmosphere. They are sealed using an easy...

Asia Pacific: Offer more single portion, convenient packaged products for consumers in South Korea, says report

Packaging companies in South Korea need to capitalize on consumers’ need for conveniently packaged products in single portion sizes that are convenient to eat on-the-go, according to a report by Canadean. It finds South Koreans are leading increasingly busy lifestyles owing to longer working hours compared to other major Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or OECD countries and longer...

Europe: Raffinerie Tirlemontoise uses Velcro’s packaging closure technology

T-Sugars, the brand of Raffinerie Tirlemontoise for the non-European market, has integrated Velcro Brand Press-Lok closures into its packaging. T-Sugars’ gourmet brown rock sugar pouch will now feature the closures, improving both shelf presence and customer convenience. First launched in Singapore, the rock sugar bags will soon be made available in Europe. Recognizing a need for packaging differentiation, Raffinerie Tirlemontoise has decided...

Europe: Mauser’s Infinity plastic drum series win PackTheFuture award at interpack 2014

Mauser Group has received the inaugural PackTheFuture – Sustainable Plastic Packaging Award 2014 for its recently introduced Infinity plastic drum series at interpack 2014 held in May in Dusseldorf, Germany. Comprised from high quality recycled plastic material, the Mauser Infinity Series has been awarded in the ecodesign category as an innovation that is environmentally friendly throughout the product’s entire lifecycle. The...

Europe: Graphic Packaging expands in region with Benson Group

Graphic Packaging Holding Company has completed the previously announced acquisition of the business of UK-based Benson Group. "The strong presence of Benson Group in the store brand market complements Graphic Packaging's existing strengths in the consumer and beverage markets. I know that together we will set new industry standards for quality, customer service and innovation," said David Scheible, Graphic Packaging's...