Deals this week: Olam International, Food Revolution Group, Cargill

Olam International has made an agreement with Canvass Analytics to utilise its artificial intelligence (AI) for finding solutions to meet the increasing global demand for food, feed, fibre and fuel.

Olam International is a global agri-business company, while Canvass Analytics is a technology company based in Canada.

Canvass provides automated AI-powered analytics to its customers for enhancing quality, while reducing production costs and energy consumption.

Food Revolution Group (FRG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sinopec for canola oil products distribution in the Chinese market.

Based in Australia, FRG is a juice company, while Sinopec is a leading oil refining, gas and petrochemical conglomerate.

Oil products will be sold under FRG’s brand, Australia’s Garden. The food company will supply its products to China from early 2019, upon confirming the product range, volume and price expectations with Sinopec.

Cargill and DSM intend to establish a joint venture (JV) company named Avansya.

Based in the US, Cargill is a privately-held global corporation, while DSM is a global science-based firm in nutrition, health and sustainable living.

The JV will be responsible for the production of low-cost, zero-calorie sweeteners for food and beverage manufacturers. It will produce sweeteners such as steviol glycosides Reb M and Reb D through fermentation.

The firm is currently constructing a fermentation facility, which will become operational in summer 2019.

DSM will provide research and development (R&D) expertise in biotechnology, on-strain development fermentation processes and customer relationships, while Cargill will offer its application expertise and global commercial presence in the sweetener market.

Barry Callebaut has received approval from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of the UK for the acquisition of food manufacturing assets of Burton.

Based in Switzerland, Barry Callebaut is a leading cocoa producer and grinder, with a £5.4bn ($6.9bn) turnover.

The transaction involves the purchase of chocolate manufacturing assets at the  Burton’s Foods factory in Moreton, Wirral. It also forms part of Barry Callebaut’s long-term supply agreement with Burton’s.

Freedom Foods has agreed to establish a joint venture with Theland New Cloud to launch the Arnold’s Farm cereal and snack brand in China.

Based in Australia, Freedom Foods is a manufacturer of allergen-free cereals, nutritional snacks, beverages and canned seafood.

Owned by Alibaba, Theland New Cloud is involved in the production of milk products.

Freedom Foods will remain the exclusive long-term manufacturer of the cereal and snack brand.

Theland will be responsible for the distribution of Arnold’s Farm brand in China, through both online and offline channels.

Tate & Lyle has partnered with Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN for sustainable corn sourcing and to improve conservation practices on Midwest farms.

Tate & Lyle is a global provider of speciality food ingredients, while Land O’Lakes is an environmental stewardship solutions provider.

Land O’Lakes will provide its interactive on-farm digital platform Truterra Insights Engine.

The platform will help the company and its customers to make informed decisions regarding supply chain strategies by offering enhanced visibility of its carbon footprint beyond the factory gates.