Page 8 - Food&Drink August 2022 magazine

NEWS
Close the Loop buys
Alliance
Close the Loop’s acquisition of Alliance Paper will strengthen its sustainable paper capabilities to develop new products.
ASX-LISTED Close the Loop Group acquired thermal paper supplier and sustainable paper products group Alliance Paper, paying $1 for the company as well as investing $4.5 million in working capital.
Alliance Paper is the largest and longest-serving supplier and converter of paper roll products in Australia, offering a range of BPA and phenol-free thermal receipt rolls, and other recyclable paper products. It has also developed sustainable paper products such as recyclable coffee cups, and disposable and recyclable eskys.
Close the Loop Group CEO Joe Foster said the purchase of Alliance strengthened the group’s position in the sustainable paper product sector and would allow it to develop new sustainable paper products to replace some traditional plastic packaging, based on technologies Alliance has developed.
Foster said: “We see the advanced paper technologies that Alliance Paper has brought to market as offering huge promise for developing pouches and flow wrap packaging in paper – in fact these have already been trialled successfully by our division, OF Flexo.”
Alliance Paper managing director Jon Williams will stay on to lead the business.
“Alliance Paper was a pioneer in chemical-free and safer consumer products in the paper and packaging space, most recently advancing the commercial strategy and adoption of BPA-free thermal paper across the Australian market,”Williamssaid. ✷
Time for coffee and a snack
SWISS Bühler Group is supporting Bulgarian start-up Cupffee to boost the production volume of its edible, crispy wafer cups, to increase its impact for a sustainable future.
The companies have worked together since 2016, with plans now in place to double or triple volume over the next two years and to install two more edible cup production lines in its factory in Plovdiv (right). Current volumes are at three million cups per month, with the ultimate target of 10 million.
Cupffee is exclusively distributed in ANZ by Nina Milanova, co-owner of the Jazzy Cafe Bar in Surry Hills, Sydney, who has just received her first container of stock.
The 110 ml and 220 ml Cupffee cups, which remain crunchy for up to 40 minutes, are made from natural oat bran and wheat flour, uncoated with chocolate or sugar, are just 56 or 105 kcal respectively and have a neutral taste.
Founder Bulgarian entrepreneur Miroslav Zapryanov said: “While searching for the perfect recipe for the cups, Cupffee made many trials adjusting the ingredients and modifying the mix, the proportions, and the temperature. It took us a few years to reach the final version of the recipe.
“It was extremely important to us that the cup did not leak for hours as well as stay crunchy for at least 40 minutes.
“Another essential factor that we took into account when creating Cupffee cups was the neutrality of their taste so that they would not affect the flavourofthebeverage.” ✷
Simplot invests $65m in Bathurst plant
SIMPLOT Australia says a
$65 million upgrade to its Bathurst manufacturing facility in New South Wales’ Central West will transform the site.
Simplot is the last Australian grown frozen and shelf-stable vegetable provider of any scale in Australia, with six manufacturing sites. It sources around 400,000 tonnes of Australian grown vegetables every year and employs roughly 2000 people.
The Bathurst plant produces Birds Eye and Edgell shelf-stable and frozen vegetable products as well as the iconic Chiko Roll. It has been in operation for nearly 100 years and employs 170 people while working with 50 local businesses and growers in the region.
Simplot Australia’s managing director Graham Dugdale said, “It will transform the Bathurst site
into a frozen vegetable centre of excellence, enable increased production capacity, and ultimately help boost local and export volumes.”
The investment will upgrade facilities, extend existing production areas, and install new equipment including
the latest in vegetable processing technology. “Our customers and
consumers value Australian sourced, grown, and processed food. There is a real understanding that Australian grown and produced food represents high-quality standards. We are delighted that we are continuing to invest and support our customers, Australian farmers, communities, and businesses,” Dugdalesaid. ✷
8 | Food&Drink business | August 2022 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au