Retailers must extend and elevate their low- and no-alcohol ranges over the Christmas period to capture a larger share of young consumers’ festive spending. Gen Z’s changing social attitudes mean such drink options are viewed as desirable choices, rather than substitutes for alcoholic beverages, and over four-fifths of them1 say low- and no-alcohol drinks allow them to prioritise health & wellbeing without compromising on taste or social interactions, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Charlotte Chilcott, Retail Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Christmas has traditionally been synonymous with socialising with alcoholic beverages, but for many younger consumers, the social norms around alcohol consumption are shifting. For these consumers, low- and no-alcohol drinks can be just as enjoyable as traditional alcoholic options. They are a deliberate, enjoyable choice that satisfies taste, social and wellbeing goals. While Gen Z has not abandoned alcohol altogether, retailers that can cater to both alcoholic and low- and no-alcohol preferences will win a bigger slice of seasonal sales.”
The surge in spending is being driven by improvements in quality and variety, with almost 60 % of 16-34-year-olds citing these as reasons for increasing their spending in the category.
Chilcott concludes: “Younger shoppers are responding to enhanced flavour profiles and a broader range of options in the low- and no-alcohol category. This preference provides an opportunity for retailers to offer novelty seasonal products over the Christmas period, such as low- or no-alcohol mulled wine, festive spritzes, non-alcoholic sparkling wines and spiced ciders, to deliver familiar rituals and flavours without the alcohol. Retailers should ensure these products are promoted within Christmas and party displays, alongside mixers, glassware and gifting options to encourage further spend from related categories.”
1Data is derived from GlobalData’s August 2025 monthly survey of 2,000 UK respondents
SternVitamin, a global supplier of micronutrient premixes, will present two innovations and an expanded product portfolio at Gulfood Manufacturing from November 4 to 6, 2025, in Dubai. This underlines SternVitamin’s expertise in a wide range of applications for functional foods and beverages, as well as its trend-based development of premix solutions.
SternDe-Stress & Relax-Premix: focus on mental health
According to the market research institute Innova, one of the top trends in 2025 in the beverage and food sector is the topic of “mental health”.1 Sleep and stress are particularly important: Worldwide, 34 % said they wanted to improve their sleep through food or drinks, and 30 % said they consume foods at least once a month to relax and reduce stress.2 With the SternDe-Stress & Relax Premix, SternVitamin is responding to exactly this trend: B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and selenium support a strong nervous system and counteract stress-related changes in the immune system. The lemon balm leaf extract also has a relaxing effect.
A wide variety of applications are suitable for the SternDe-Stress & Relax premix, including juice drinks. Due to the warm climate and the local variety of fruits, these are in high demand in the Middle East/Africa region. For example, juices and smoothies are the most popular drinks there, and they are even ahead of water or coffee.3 36 % of consumers in the region also say that the claim “enriched with vitamins and minerals” influences their decision to buy juices.4
Clear Proteinshake made from pea protein supports physical performance
The Clear Proteinshake, which has been developed based on pea protein hydrolysate by the sister company SternLife, contains the premix solution SternActive from SternVitamin. Thus, it offers a high protein source of 68 g per 100 g of powder. To support hydration during or after exercise, calcium, magnesium, and sodium are included, which restore electrolyte balance. Vitamin C, D3, iron, zinc, and selenium also support the immune system, while vitamins B2, B6, and B12 provide energy and reduce tiredness and fatigue. Sugar-free and with a refreshing, tropical taste, the Clear Proteinshake supports physical performance.
Sponsored Post – A sterile process chain from preform sterilisation to sealing – this summarises the principle of the Contipure AseptBloc. A system that has proven its worth: At Krones, almost 90 per cent of aseptic fillers are currently integrated into this block solution. While this type of system was previously used primarily in the medium and high output range, there is now also a compact version that can be used to economically fill outputs as low as 8,000 containers per hour.
The basis for expanding the portfolio was laid by a further development in stretch blow-moulding technology: two years ago, Krones launched a new generation of its Contiform blow-moulding machine, which for the first time also enabled configurations of four, six and eight cavities. Similarly, the filling technology team further developed its existing aseptic filler, also with a view to low outputs – and finally combined both systems in a compact version of the Contipure AseptBloc.
The small footprint of the block is particularly noteworthy: the smallest version contains a four-cavity blow-moulding machine and a filler with a pitch circle of 1,080 millimetres – and currently only requires around 100 square metres of installation space – with potential for further space savings. This extremely small footprint can be achieved, for example, through a revised cleanroom concept, optimised positioning of peripherals such as media supply or valve manifolds and integration of the piping directly into the system. ‘Thanks to its well thought-out layout, the compact version of the Contipure AseptBloc is ideal for those companies that have little space available in production – whether installing a new line or modernising the blow-moulder and filler in an existing aseptic system,’ says Thekla Osswald, who is leading the project on the Research and Development side.
Apart from the space requirement, the compact version of the Contipure AseptBloc is in no way inferior to the tried-and-tested standard version: Here too, only one sterilisation medium is used, namely gaseous hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, since the preform and not the bottle is sterilised first, lightweight containers can also be used. Compared to conventional aseptic processes with container sterilisation, the Contipure AseptBloc enables material savings of around two grams per bottle.
And as usual, the compact version of the Contipure AseptBloc is also suitable for a wide range of different product categories: Whether distributed at ambient temperature or within the cold chain, whether in the low- or high-acid range, whether with or without chunks of up to 5 x 5 x 5 millimetres – all non-carbonated beverages such as juice or dairy products can be processed on the system. And lightweight containers too The smallest version of the advanced Contipure AseptBloc incorporates a Modulfill Asept filler with a pitch circle of 1,080 millimetres, enabling up to 20,000 containers per hour to be aseptically produced, filled and sealed.
With new management and expanded production area, the plant manufacturer is implementing a step in the long-term development strategy of the site
New management: Bartłomiej Berger, Piotr Cieplinski, Marek Winkler (from left to right) (Photo: Ruland)
The Tychy (Poland) site of plant manufacturer Ruland is starting the new year with a new management team. The new management consists of Piotr Cieplinski, Marek Winkler and Bartłomiej Berger, all three long-time employees of the company. Founded in 1993 by Eugen Blaski, the site serves a great many beverage producers and breweries in Europe, but also supplies plant technology worldwide to all producers who process liquid products. Together with the company founder, the new management has initiated several modernisations in recent years as part of a long-term development strategy. A new ERP system, intensive staff training and, above all, the new production hall provide modern structures and workflows for plant engineering and construction.
Growing demand together with an increased need for manufacturing space for large plant modules made the new production hall necessary. In addition, it enables efficient processing of plant production up to loading. Two modern overhead cranes, eight permanent welding cabins with aeration and ventilation systems as well as dust extraction systems, a closed welding etching system with waste neutralisation facilitate the assembly of the individual plant modules.
At the same time as the new production areas, new office and social rooms were created for the continuously growing staff. Ruland Tychy currently employs 111 people, mainly engineers, plant designers, automation specialists, technicians and fitters.
Eugen Blaski hands over the management of the company with a good feeling: “We have initiated a number of modernisations that have put Ruland Tychy in a good position. Our three new managing directors know the technical requirements in plant construction very well. They know what potential Ruland and the team have and how best to use it.” Eugen Blaski will remain with Ruland Tychy in an advisory role.
About Ruland Engineering & Consulting Ruland Engineering & Consulting GmbH plans and implements process plants worldwide. The owner-managed company offers its customers plant engineering of the highest quality. It supplies individual, innovative and practice-oriented solutions in the fields of tank farms, mixing and dosing systems, thermal plants as well as vacuum degassing plants, filtration plants, fermenters and CIP plants. Complete automation with its own control cabinet construction has been a speciality for many years. Ruland assembles its plants itself and also carries out commissioning, piping assembly and documentation. Services such as maintenance and spart parts management round off the plant construction spectrum.
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