Bosch plans to sell its packaging machinery business, based in Waiblingen, to a newly incorporated entity managed by CVC Capital Partners (CVC). The company and its Pharma and Food units will remain intact. Based in Luxemburg, CVC is a leading private equity and investment advisory firm with 24 offices in Europe, Asia, and the United States. It currently manages more than US$75 billion (€67 billion) of assets.

Oktoberfest draws all eyes on Germany, as the beer tents open. But as global consumers’ interests and lifestyles shift, it may be lighter beer that’s filling the steins this year. New research from Mintel reveals that over one quarter of German consumers (27 percent) agree that low/no alcohol beer tastes just as good as full-strength beer. While younger consumers may have been the most enthusiastic beer drinkers in previous generations, today, this cohort is among the most likely to see the merits of low/no alcohol beer: three in 10 Germans aged 18-24 (31 percent) agree that low/no alcohol beer tastes just as good as ‘regular’ beer (4-6 percent ABV).
Just 9% of Germans say they would be embarrassed to be seen drinking low/no alcohol beer.
With many consumers enjoying the taste of non-alcoholic beer, the stigma may now be disappearing. Mintel research highlights that a mere 9 percent of German consumers say they would be embarrassed to be seen drinking low/no alcohol beer.
“As health and wellness trends influence alcohol consumption more and more, consumers are being drawn towards moderate beer options and the stigma of drinking low and no alcohol beer is being challenged,” said Jonny Forsyth, Global Food & Drink Analyst at Mintel. “Looking to the future, the global beer market will see even more moderate innovation as Millennials, in particular, seek healthier and less calorific beer options. This goes hand-in-hand with a number of brands working to raise the quality of the product, especially non-alcoholic beers. The German market is producing high quality, non-alcoholic beer and, as a result, it has now become a mainstream option. German beer drinkers may not have a history of moderation, but this is changing.”
This Oktoberfest it seems many will be opting for a low/no alcohol beer in order to forgo the hangover. Among German consumers, over half (53 percent) agree there is “less chance of getting a hangover if you drink low/no alcohol beer, rather than full strength (4-6 percent ABV).” This rises to three in five French consumers (61 percent).
But it’s not just the hangover that consumers are keen to steer clear of; over half of consumers in France (56 percent) agree that low/no alcohol beer allows you to stay in control when drinking.
“Control has become a key watchword for today’s younger drinkers. Unlike previous cohorts, their nights out are documented through photos, videos and posts across social media where it is likely to remain for the rest of their lives. Over-drinking is therefore something many seek to avoid,” added Forsyth.

Mintelhttp://tinyurl.com/y82htv6z

Across the ten highest consuming nations for both sugar confectionery and gum, consumption is increasing, with CAGRs ranging from 0.5 percent to 3.0 percent over the 2010-2022 forecasted period. Global sales were worth US$85.8 billion in 2017 and expected to reach around US$100 billion by 2022 (Innova Market Insights, 2018).

Could omega-6 fatty acids protect you against premature death? The answer is yes, according to a new University of Eastern Finland study. While protecting against death, omega-6 fatty acids also keep cardiovascular diseases at bay.

Algatech (Algatechnologies) Ltd. announces its 100% organic Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae powder and astaxanthin oleoresin as part of its AstaPure line was granted National Organic Program (NOP) certification from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. “NOP organic certification means that our products are being cultivated, processed—and thus able to be labelled as—organic,” says Efrat Kat, VP Marketing and Sales for Algatech. “This certification, in addition to our GMP accreditation and non-GMO project verification, reaffirm our commitment to providing premium quality ingredients that consumers and industry partners can trust.” According to trends tracked by Global Food Forums, today’s consumers continue to seek healthier choices and want to know what the sources are for the products they use, especially how and where the products are produced. These consumers prefer suppliers who offer greater transparency. This is especially relevant to algae-based products since they can grow under a wide range of conditions. “Supplying pure, natural microalgae requires a tremendous amount of knowledge, experience, and fully controlled processes, with constant attention paid to the smallest details,” explains Shoshi Shunak, QA Manager for Algatech. “We cultivate microalgae in a patented, eco-friendly, closed system that allows the production of the highest quality ingredients and prevents any exposure to contaminations.” “The four NOP principles for organic certification—health, ecology, fairness and sustainability—comply with Algatech’s ‘DNA’ and core values, and therefore to ‘go organic’ was a natural step,” notes Hagai Stadler, Algatech’s CEO. “Our plant, in the Arava Desert between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea, is a living example of how it is possible to green the desert and unlock the potential of a non-fertile land. Recycling water, saving solar energy is just a small part of activities that Algatech does on a regular basis to minimize its environmental footprint. For us, this is a fundamental part of our shared vision: to make an impact by bringing the good that’s inherent in microalgae to the world.” “Algatech insists on reflecting maximum transparency to our clients and partners, from the growing of our Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae to ensuring a safe, clean environment,” adds Kat. “We are among the few companies in the world who have cracked the code for producing commercial-scale natural microalgae under the very highest standards.”

www.algatech.com