Weekly Roundup: Unilever “warms up” ice cream freezers, Firmenich secures majority stake in ArtSci Biology Technologies

06 May 2022 --- In industry news this week, Firmenich gained majority ownership of ArtSci Biology Technologies to grow Chinese market capabilities, while Darling Ingredients agreed to acquire Brazil’s FASA Group. Nestlé adopted AI solutions to improve its customers' digital shopping experience and Unilever plans two pilots to trial warmer ice cream freezer cabinets to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

In brief: Business moves
Taste giant Firmenich has increased its equity stake in strategic partner ArtSci Biology Technologies and moved to majority ownership. The companies have been strategic partners since 2019 when Firmenich took a minority equity stake. This move will further strengthen Firmenich’s ability to serve rapidly growing local markets within China, extending its geographical presence in the country.

Darling Ingredients has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Brazil’s largest independent rendering company, Fasa Group. The deal is approximately R$2.8 billion Brazilian Real in cash (US$560 million) and is subject to post-closing adjustments and a contingent payment based on future earnings growth. Brazil is a leader in global agricultural commodities growth and is expected to take on a more significant role in the world’s meat production, notes Darling Ingredients. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of 2022.Firmenich is now majority owner of ArtSci Biology Technologies.

Nestlé has adopted artificial intelligence solutions to improve its customers' digital shopping experience. 2Buy, a tool created by Lett, a technology start-up and specialist in digital trade marketing, uses geolocation data to show consumers in which online store they can buy the product they want, based on their location. The campaigns carried out by Nestlé took place in Brazil, but the tool can be used in any country, as is the case of Bimbo, a food and beverage multinational, which currently has active campaigns for the Barcel brand.

Kreyenborg bolstered its business activities for its food division in the Benelux region by forging a strategic partnership with Nauta Food Consultancy. The company seeks to intensify its presence in these markets and expand its network.

In brief: NPD
Skinny Butcher launched Stranger Things-themed Crazy Crispy Chicken Nuggets in US-based Walmart stores, anticipating the Netflix hit show’s fourth season. Skinny Butcher results from a partnership between former Garden Fresh Gourmet Vice Chairman Dave Zilko and LA-based Golden West Food Group.

Bridge Cheese launched two new mozzarella blends, Meadow Valley, a premium-value range and Encore, a price-fighter brand, offering alternatives to their existing cheese products and offset soaring ingredient costs due to inflation.Kreyenborg's technical sales manager Wilfried Binternagel (left) welcomes Jan Nauta (right). (Credit: Kreyenborg)

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) export team and four exporters will highlight the UK’s high animal welfare standards and sustainability and traceability of produce at the RC Show 2022 in Toronto from May 9 to 11. The UK exported nearly £17 million (US$21 million) worth of red meat to Canada in 2021.

In brief: Acquisitions
UK-based global provider of food and beverage ingredients Tate & Lyle acquired Nutriati, an ingredient technology company developing and producing chickpea protein and flour. Nutriati’s chickpea ingredients are used for nutritious plant-based solutions marketed as having premium taste and mouthfeel. The move adds Artesa Chickpea Protein and Artesa Chickpea Flour to Tate & Lyle’s portfolio.

In brief: SustainabilityBridge Cheese launched its new Meadow Valley and Encore mozzarella blends.

Unilever is beginning two pilots to trial warmer ice cream freezer cabinets to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 20 – 30% per freezer, while ensuring the same ice cream quality and consumer experience. The pilots start in Germany with a second to follow in Indonesia next year. Unilever says the trials are to explore and understand the product performance of its ice cream and the energy consumption of freezers at warmer -12°C temperatures, in real life conditions.

JDE Peet’s, a publicly-listed Dutch food and beverage conglomerate that owns more than 50 brands including Peet’s Coffee, OldTown White Coffee, Maxwell House and Pickwick, was praised by the Lever Foundation, for issuing a comprehensive new global farm animal welfare policy. The new global policy, which Lever Foundation helped the company draft, will, among other things, end the use of eggs from caged hens; require fish suppliers to avoid high stocking densities, use less-cruel slaughter practices and regularly monitor for water quality and disease; require chicken suppliers to adhere to Global Animal Partnership’s standards on stocking density, enrichment and litter and require beef suppliers to prohibit tail docking and castration without painkillers and provide sufficient enrichment and litter.

Australian manufacturing performance software company OFS and US “grain-to-glass” brewery data management company The 5th Ingredient signed a craft brewing partnership to help the companies expand in each other’s home markets and allow the craft beer industry to become more data-driven.

By Inga de Jong