Recent developments
Regulatory approvals and compliance
The EU cleared Clariant’s renewable rice bran wax additives for use in PET, PLA, and rigid PVC food-contact plastics, up to 0.3% in non‑fatty applications and for hot-fill/heating to 100°C for two hours, complementing U.S. and Japan authorizations and occurring amid montan‑wax supply challenges. Stahl reached full compliance with the German Printing Ink Ordinance across water-based, barrier, heat‑seal, low‑migration UV coatings, and primers, providing earlier planning reliability and reduced qualification risks.
Circular packaging feedstocks
Brand owners advanced circular inputs. Valio’s Kreikkalainen Jogurtti packs used 30% chemically recycled polypropylene from Borealis’ Borcycle C portfolio via mass balance, and the approach extended to Oivariini butter-blend pots and lids, meeting food-safety requirements. Clear on-pack labeling and a QR code support consumer transparency as Valio targets 80% renewable or recycled packaging by 2030, beyond EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation expectations.
Application capabilities expand
Formulation and scale-up infrastructure grew in South Asia. Brenntag opened an Innovation & Application Center in Mumbai with UHT processing, aseptic filling, high‑pressure homogenization, can sealing, and pilot blending/analytics to accelerate dairy, beverage, ice-cream, confectionery, bakery, snacks, and flavor development, including alcoholic and low/no-alcohol applications.
Executive leadership changes
Leadership changes affected ingredient operations. BENEO appointed Dr Uwe Boltersdorf as COO, concurrently retaining his COO role at CropEnergies, to oversee production, technology, supply chains, quality, raw materials, HSE, and sustainability after a leadership transition within the Südzucker Group.