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NEWS
A world first in synthetic wire rope
KONECRANES HAS LAUNCHED its S-series overhead crane. After years of research, development and testing, the new unit includes Konecrane’s unique synthetic wire rope hoist. The hoist offers a barb-free operation, reduced maintenance costs coupled with safer handling and easier load carrying. Emil Berning, managing director of Konecranes and Demag explains, “Konecranes has always believed that investment into research and development delivers improved performance and enhanced safety to its range of cranes and associated equipment. We are proud to launch this ground breaking wire rope hoist and to be one of the first crane
Konecrane S-series overhead crane
manufacturers globally to introduce synthetic rope in standard serial products.”
The S-series offers customers innovative solutions in motor drives, off-set reeving systems, clutches and brakes – elements that perform better, last longer, offer greater operational savings, contribute to a cleaner and quieter environment and adds greater operational safety.
“We believe that our new S-series will reset the industry benchmark. Its radical redesign sets new standards. It really is not merely an update: it is the new benchmark. I see major benefits to production industries such as food and beverage, amongst others,” Berning concludes. •
INGREDION AND PURECIRCLE have announced that they have reached agreement on the terms for Ingredion to acquire a controlling 75% stake in PureCircle, a producer of stevia sweeteners for the global food and beverage industries.
The proposed acquisition has been approved by the boards of both companies. The companies expect the transaction to close during the second half of 2020, subject to approval by PureCircle’s shareholders and receipt of the required regulatory approvals. Until then, Ingredion and PureCircle will remain separate, independent companies with separate product portfolios and go-to-market teams.
Ingredion has followed the development of PureCircle for several years and believes that it is a fundamentally attractive and robust business that will be a great fit with Ingredion’s long-term strategy, given PureCircle’s leadership position in this space. Beyond its leadership in the market, PureCircle brings innovation and manufacturing expertise related to stevia. Upon completion, both companies will be able to build on these strengths.
PureCircle will be able to leverage Ingredion’s global go-to-market network, as well as its formulation expertise and broad product portfolio, which will drive growth synergies, as well as significant savings for both companies. “PureCircle is a widely recognised innovator with a proven track record for producing great-tasting, plant-based stevia.
Ingredion’s successful and global go-to-market
model combined with our formulation expertise will be highly complementary with PureCircle’s capabilities,” concludes Ingredion’s president and chief executive officer Jim Zallie. •
SAPICS CONFERENCE POSTPONED
IN LIGHT OF the COVID-19 pandemic, The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management (SAPICS), has announced the postponement of its conference. New dates for the conference, which was scheduled for the end of June, have been secured from 22 to 25 November 2020 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town. “This is the first time in 42 years of operation that a decision like this had to be made. It was difficult, but undoubtedly the right and responsible decision,” says SAPICS president Keabetswe Mpane. “Planning for the 2020 SAPICS Conference was already well underway, with compelling presenters lined-up and delegates registered. Many of our speakers have confirmed their availability for the new dates, and we expect that everyone will be eager to connect with their peers and colleagues after months of virtual meetings and lockdowns implemented around the world. It is currently the supply chain management profession helping to keep essential goods flowing and essential services operational while the world works together to fight this pandemic,” Mpane points out.’ •
LEADING THE PACK WITH IMMUNE-BOOSTING TEAS
Diverse new facility opens in Ethiopia
INTERTEK HAVE UNVEILED their new office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The new facility will strengthen network and capabilities in East Africa, enabling a more efficient business practice across the region. The lab offers inspection and testing services for the agricultural industry and serves as a support business for other Intertek facilities in countries such as Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania. The facility is also licensed to provide wider business Assurance services to companies in Ethiopia. “As a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to the agri-food industry, we are delighted to open this new facility in Addis Ababa. The combination of this strategic location and our expertise, coupled with strong local project management, will allow us to deliver excellent customer service to meet our customers’ needs. We look forward to the many exciting opportunities that lie ahead,” Jérémy Gaspard, managing director of Sub Saharan Africa, explains.•
SINCE THE LAUNCH of Afriplex’s state-of-the-art tea packing facility in 2019, several high-quality functional teas have been successfully launched into the local and international markets. The facility boasts GMP compliance with a unique dosage system to allow the formulation of tea products with validated functionality. In addition to this it is designed with blending and plating apparatus as well as allowing for versatility in different packing formats. Afriplex is currently the only manufacturer of CBD-plated Rooibos Tea. This tea range will now be expanded to include respiratory and immune boosting functionality. Its Pelagon extract, produced from Pelargonium sidoides is well known to support respiratory health and will be applied to various teas in a liposomal format to ensure increased bioavailability and functionality. To add immune boosting functionality, the company’s Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API’s) and botanical extracts will be used to fortify a range of teas. The latter may also include fortification with vitamins C and D as well as zinc. This unique offering will be available in bulk format, bulk sachets, or packed in final packaging. •
LEGISLATION OUTCOME SET TO REDEFINE PACKAGING
CONSUMERS EXPECT THE FOOD industry to provide safe products which comply with the latest legislation. FEICA already recommends avoiding the use of epoxy silanes in food contact applications, and the EU is expected to set new limits during the course of this year. These limits will require complex testing methods that lead to challenges for converters and packaging manufacturers. Henkel has developed a new range of laminating adhesives free of epoxy silanes and a new test method that requires a combination of several sophisticated analytical techniques to detect epoxy silanes and its degradation products.
Glymo is used in a wide variety of food contact applications. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) took a closer look at existing toxicological data. “The EU is now working on a legislative framework for 2020 to regulate the use of epoxy silanes according to their genotoxic potential. The deadline is envisaged for September 2020. This will raise demand for suitable alternatives,” Dr. Monika Toenniessen, head of food safety compliance – global food safety, product safety and regulatory affairs concludes. ’ •
