2017: The year’s biggest Food Processing Technology stories

EBRD to support Turkish agribusiness firm Yayla Agro

Turkish pulse manufacturer Yayla Agro received a €20m loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to boost agribusiness in the country.

Headquartered in Ankara, Yayla Agro has its productions facilities in Mersin and Kazan, which collectively produce 820,000t of pulses and rice a year.

The company exports its products to more than 45 countries and is reported to have tripled its sales over the last three years, as well as plans to increase its share of sales in value-added products.

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Hochland acquires Franklin Foods

Germany-based cheese company Hochland acquired American cream cheese firm Franklin Foods Holdings (Franklin), along with its sister companies.

Franklin will continue to operate independently as a fully owned unit of Hochland SE.

Franklin’s manufacturing and sales platform in the US cream cheese market complements Hochland’s international growth strategy.

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Frutarom to acquire South African company Unique Flavours

Israeli flavour producer Frutarom signed an agreement to acquire South African company Unique Flavors (Unique) for approximately $6.7m.

The agreement includes a mechanism for future consideration based upon Unique’s future business performance.

The transaction is reported to be complete as both parties have signed the agreement, and was financed through bank debt.

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Emmi agrees to take over Italian Fresh Foods

Swiss dairy company Emmi agreed to purchase dessert manufacturer Italian Fresh Foods (IFF) for an undisclosed amount.

Subject to approval by the concerned competition authorities, the purchase is expected to bolster Emmi’s position in the dessert segment, reinforce its expertise in the market, and allow it to use IFF’s state-of-the-art technologies.

In 2012 and 2013, Emmi respectively acquired dessert producers A-27 and Rachelli, which reportedly enabled the company to hold a significant market share in the Italian speciality desserts segment.

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Cargill opens new $100m oilseeds processing plant in China

Cargill opened a new $100m oilseeds processing plant in Huanghua, Cangzhou in Hebei Province, China.

The new Hebei Jiahao Grain and Oil plant was built in partnership with Chinese firms New Hope Group and Hebei Bohai Investment Group.

Covering 21,000m² in the Bohai New Development Area, the plant will have an annual processing capacity of 1.32 million metric tonnes of oil seeds.

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Campbell Soup to acquire Pacific Foods for $700m

Campbell Soup signed a $700m agreement to acquire organic broth and soup producer Pacific Foods.

Through the acquisition, Campbell intends to increase its organic food and beverage portfolio, while meeting the changing tastes and preferences of consumers.

Upon completion of the deal, the company will have improved access to natural and organic customers and channels.

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Lampados to increase sweetener production with new facility

Israel’s tabletop sweeteners producer Lampados International (Lampados) is building a new facility in order to increase production capacity to meet the growing demand for Liteez, a 3D sweetener for hot drinks.

The new facility will initially have the capacity to produce 8,000 retail packages per day and is expected to double production within a few months.

In its new facility, the company is reported to have invested more than $500,000 to enhance the production levels of the sweetener, which is available in stevia as well as the sucralose-based product.

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Innophos signs $125m agreement to acquire Novel Ingredients

US-based speciality ingredient producer Innophos Holdings (Innophos) signed a definitive $125m agreement to acquire Novel Ingredients, a provider of dietary supplement ingredient solutions.

Based in New Jersey, Novel Ingredients is primarily owned by New York private equity firm GenNx360 Capital Partners.

To be paid in cash, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year and subject to customary closing conditions, including review under the Hart Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

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Ferrero agrees to acquire US confectionery company Ferrara

Italian confectionery group Ferrero entered a definitive agreement through its subsidiary to acquire US-based non-chocolate confectionary company Ferrara Candy from private equity firm L Catterton for an undisclosed sum.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, and the deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter this year.

Ferrara Candy is reported to be the third largest company in the US to produce gummy and seasonal candies under various brands such as Trolli, Brachs, and Black Forest Organics.

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LCI and Novolyze to improve safety of flour products

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI), a subsidiary of French cooperative group Limagrain, partnered with the manufacturer of dry and ready-to-use surrogate microorganisms Novolyze to strengthen microbiological control of its heat process for flours Farigel.

For reinforcing Farigel process, LCI will make use of the harmless bacteria developed by Novolyze that mimic the behaviour of foodborne pathogens under a different kind of stress.

Novolyze business development vice-president Jena Roberts said: “We are honoured to partner with a prestigious company of Limagrain’s stature as they are the 4th largest seed company in the world.