As societal and regulatory momentum towards promoting sustainability and the creation of effective circular economies continues to grow, the aluminum packaging industry has some distinct advantages, not least the effectively infinite recyclability of aluminum itself. However, a significant number of consumers globally do not see aluminum/metal packaging as highly sustainable1, highlighting the need for aluminum packaging producers to promote the material’s sustainability, says GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
Aluminum’s recyclability stands alongside other advantages such as light weight, durability, and convenience, making the metal highly relevant in modern packaging, despite the attention so often focused on recycled/recyclable plastics and sustainably sourced and managed paper and board products.
Richard Parker, Principal Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments:“However, while consumers globally are favourable to aluminum packaging, especially when they understand its infinite recyclability, a key problem is that a sizeable minority of them are unfamiliar with this recyclability and still hold negative preconceptions about aluminum’s sustainability.”
Aluminum cans draw on familiarity, appeal among younger consumers
According to GlobalData’s latest Hot Topic Case Study, “Aluminum Packaging Trends,” aluminum ranks second globally in beverage pack units sold, with this expected to solidify over the next five years based on consistent growth of more than 2 %, compared to slowing glass growth. Rigid plastics still lead the market, at double the size of rigid metal by unit volume, with this set to remain the case through 2030, despite slowing growth. The overall picture reflects changing beverage consumption behaviors (reducing consumption of soft drinks affecting cans and plastic bottles, alongside alcohol moderation).
A bonus for the can market in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks sectors is the demand among younger consumers for ready-to-drink (RTD) solutions, and smaller format cans in categories such as hard seltzers, pre-mixed spirits/cocktails and mocktails, and functional on-the-go beverages.
Parker adds: “The visual language associated with design and branding on cans is important in an Instagram-friendly world. Cans also have a resonance with younger consumers as a recyclable choice. The single-use nature of opened cans does, however, create a convenience disadvantage versus plastic resealable bottles; the mid-ground has been the rise in popularity of reusable aluminum bottles as a desirable, sustainable accessory as well as a practical solution for on-the-go hydration.”
Deposit return schemes favour aluminum
With circular economies increasingly promoted by regulation around the world, deposit return schemes (DRS) have emerged as one of the key strategies for executing circularity. Aluminum beverage cans are, alongside recyclable PET bottles, central to DRS with their infinite recyclability giving them the sustainability edge over recyclable plastics, which generally reduce in quality over multiple cycles leading to changes in material usage and earlier end-of-life disposal.
The can industry, however, needs to ensure that its products are locally compliant with DRS requirements; in the UK for example, with DRS implementation scheduled in 2027, cans between 150 ml and 3 l will require a bar code and approved logo, and must be able to be compacted by 75 % to be compatible with reverse vending machines (RVMs).
Consumer recognition of aluminum’s sustainability a surprising problem
Despite what may seem obvious to many – aluminum’s recyclability – GlobalData survey findings show that a significant minority of consumers globally do not actually see aluminum/metal packaging as highly sustainable. In Q3 20251, consumers were asked if it was reasonable to see packaging as sustainable if it was made from a range of materials; only 21 % and 22 % of consumers answered positively for metals used in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packaging, respectively. This was on a par with plastics, and well behind paperboard and the leader glass (50 %). This flies in the face of the reality of aluminum’s infinite recyclability and suggests consumers have a greater grasp of glass’ and paperboard’s lifecycles.
Furthermore, level-pegging with plastics suggests both a weak understanding of metal’s benefits and/or growing awareness of the increasing recyclability of modern plastic beverage containers. The lesson is that consumer education is still needed, something that can potentially be delivered in combination with DRS implementation.
Iran conflict poses particular challenge for aluminum
The unknown at present is how significant the impact of the Middle East/Iran conflict will be on 2026 and beyond; real world impacts are only just starting to be quantified, and this may ultimately lead to a revised forecast across multiple pack materials based on disruption to the flow of raw materials and finished products through the Strait of Hormuz. What is clear is that aluminum faces a direct impact given that Gulf-based primary producers account for 9 % of global output, and over a fifth of aluminum imported into the US is from the UAE and Bahrain.2 Iranian strikes on key production facilities have created potential long-term systemic difficulties for the industry and sent prices globally spiralling upwards.
A market where virgin feedstocks are facing scarcity is likely to result in the maximisation of recycled content use (both for aluminum and plastic packaging). Efficiency in approach to recycled materials will be key, although price rises are also likely to be a factor here too as demand grows. Regional variations in reclamation capability and efficiency will be a factor, leading to widening supply-demand gaps.
Parker concludes: “With the present geopolitical backdrop and its very real impacts, resilient supply chains for a more uncertain world must be built, with continuity of supply stress-tested and shorter chains implemented to mitigate present and future disruptions.
“Also, packaging producers and their customers must evaluate the inconsistencies in consumers’ understanding of the material’s recyclability and educate them on its comparative advantages. This will be critical as DRS becomes a baseline internationally to limit consumers’ material switching.”
1GlobalData 2025 Q3 global consumer survey, 21,000 respondents across 42 countries
2Exiger (2026) “Iran Strikes Gulf Aluminum Smelters, Disrupting Global Supply”, https://www.exiger.com/perspectives/iran-gulf-aluminum-strikes-supply-chain-disruption/, April 2026
Multi-functional ingredient offers product innovation across plant-based and functional food and beverage categories
Tetra Pak announced the launch of sunflower protein, a plant-based ingredient designed to help food and beverage (F&B) producers meet rising consumer demand for plant-based products – while maximising existing investments.
Expanding Tetra Pak’s portfolio of innovative ingredients, sunflower protein provides a plant-based avenue for F&B producers to capitalise on the booming plant-based food and beverage market, which is forecast to triple in size to $35.9 billion by 20331.
Sunflower protein is particularly versatile due to its neutral, slightly nutty flavour profile, smooth texture and off-white colouring. These attributes mean it can be used to create anything from plant-based iced coffee to yoghurt, ready-to-drink protein drinks and more. With a dosing range of 2 % to 7%2, sunflower protein offers flexibility in formulation and can easily be adjusted to match specific product requirements, whether boosting protein content, enhancing texture or delivering balanced nutrition.
The addition of sunflower protein to Tetra Pak’s ingredient offering further strengthens the company’s commitment to supporting food and beverage producers enter and expand within the fast-growing food supplement and nutrition (FSN) category. Through its Product Development Centres, Tetra Pak helps F&B producers accelerate time-to-market and optimise the creation of products that meet the needs of today’s health-conscious consumers3.
With 74 % of today’s consumers actively seeking products with health claims3, sunflower protein’s nutritional profile4 presents an opportunity for F&B producers to tap into the growing functional food market. Containing up to 50 % protein4, along with fibre, vitamins and antioxidants, sunflower protein provides an ideal ingredient for functional and fortified products. Sunflower protein demonstrates high in vitro digestibility (98 %)5, indicating an amino acid profile suitable for plant-based formulations.6
The global protein market is forecast to surpass $27.48 billion by 20347, while Europe’s meal replacement segment alone is set to grow from $2.04 billion in 2024 to $3.91 billion by 2033 (CAGR 7.53%)8
At a time when F&B producers face pressure to optimise existing assets and expanding into new categories, this renewable ingredient can be integrated into current processes with only minimal adjustments and investment.
1The global plant-based food market is valued at $14,225.3 million in 2025 and is poised to reach $44,181.9 million by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 12%. Source: Future Market Insights – Plant-Based Food Market Analysis – Size, Share, and Forecast 2025 to 2035. https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/plant-based-food-market
2This is a recommendation based on internal tests carried out by Tetra Pak, mostly due to viscosity and taste. As a result of their own R&D processes, customers could potentially use higher or lower dosage levels.
3Ipsos for Tetra Pak Quantitative Survey on Health & Nutrition 2023 (Brazil, US, China, India, South Korea, Kenya, South Africa, Germany, Spain, UK). https://www.ipsos.com/en/future-health-and-nutrition-tetra-pak-index-2023
4Protein content based on dry matter: 53 g per 100 g, as verified in the product specification for SUNTEIN™ Sunflower Protein Pasteurized Extra Fine, Version 02/30.09.2024, provided by Europack Bulgaria
5Data based on in vitro analysis performed by Improve SAS (January 2025) using ISO 13903:2005, EU 152/2009 methods and Megazyme K-PDCAAS kit.
6PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score) is a method recommended by FAO/WHO to evaluate protein quality based on essential amino acid content and digestibility
7https://www.precedenceresearch.com/protein-market
8https://www.renub.com/europe-meal-replacement-products-market-p.php
Glanbia plc, the Better Nutrition company, announced that it has entered into an agreement with the shareholders of Aroma Holding Company, LLC and related entities, the owners of Flavor Producers LLC to acquire the business for an initial consideration of USD 300 million plus deferred consideration (the “Transaction”).
Transaction overview and rationale
Flavor Producers is a leading flavour platform in the US, providing flavours and extracts to the food and beverage industries, with a focus on organic and natural ingredients. Glanbia will operate Flavor Producers within its Glanbia Nutritionals (“GN”), Nutritional Solutions business (“NS” or “Nutritional Solutions”).
The Transaction is consistent with Glanbia’s strategy of acquiring complementary businesses to grow its Better Nutrition platforms. Flavor Producers significantly expands NS’s flavours offering, bringing new capabilities in the attractive and growing natural and organic flavours market which are aligned with long term consumer trends.
Transaction highlights include:
- Flavor Producers is a leading independent flavours business in the US which represents a synergistic fit with the existing flavours capability of NS;
- Acquiring an established platform with a 40 year plus history, a strong team and a track record of innovation;
- Excellence in R&D and proprietary ingredients with best-in-class formulation capabilities. Extensive flavour library and vertical integration into flavour extracts, facilitating clean label solutions;
- Financially attractive margin and growth profile which will improve business mix within NS; and
- Consistent with Glanbia’s balanced capital allocation framework and retaining a strong financial position post Transaction.
- Transaction consideration, financing and closing
The initial consideration is USD 300 million with an additional deferred payment of up to USD 55 million, conditional on performance in 2024. Final consideration will also be impacted by the value of actual working capital and customary completion accounts at closing. The Transaction will be financed by Glanbia’s existing banking facilities and cash. Glanbia has a strong balance sheet with net debt of USD 248.7million at the end of FY 2023, a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.5 times and USD 1.3 billion of committed debt facilities.
It is anticipated that the Transaction will close in the first half of FY 2024 subject to customary closing conditions and agreed completion accounts.
The Transaction is expected to be marginally accretive to Glanbia’s adjusted earnings per share in its first full year of ownership.
The Company’s current EUR 100 million buyback programme announced on 28 February 2024 is ongoing and is unaffected by this Transaction.
About Flavor Producers
Flavor Producers was founded in 1981 as a family business in Valencia, California. They pioneered the development of natural and organic flavours by sourcing raw materials from nature. Plant-based flavour and extract creation is the Company’s specialty, with unique technologies that deliver transparently delicious taste to food and beverages. Today, Flavor Producers is a leading developer and manufacturer of natural and organic flavours in North America. Flavor Producers serves leading FMCG companies as well as high growth and emerging consumer brands.
In the 12 months to February 2024, Flavor Producers delivered USD 86.1 million net sales and adjusted EBITDA (before non-recurring costs) of USD 19.7 million. The gross assets of Flavor Producers as at February 2024 were USD 321 million.
Glanbia plc, the Better Nutrition company, announced that it has entered into an agreement with the shareholders of Aroma Holding Company, LLC and related entities, the owners of Flavor Producers LLC to acquire the business for an initial consideration of USD 300 million plus deferred consideration (the “Transaction”).
Transaction overview and rationale
Flavor Producers is a leading flavour platform in the US, providing flavours and extracts to the food and beverage industries, with a focus on organic and natural ingredients. Glanbia will operate Flavor Producers within its Glanbia Nutritionals (“GN”), Nutritional Solutions business (“NS” or “Nutritional Solutions”).
The Transaction is consistent with Glanbia’s strategy of acquiring complementary businesses to grow its Better Nutrition platforms. Flavor Producers significantly expands NS’s flavours offering, bringing new capabilities in the attractive and growing natural and organic flavours market which are aligned with long term consumer trends.
Transaction highlights include:
- Flavor Producers is a leading independent flavours business in the US which represents a synergistic fit with the existing flavours capability of NS;
- Acquiring an established platform with a 40 year plus history, a strong team and a track record of innovation;
- Excellence in R&D and proprietary ingredients with best-in-class formulation capabilities. Extensive flavour library and vertical integration into flavour extracts, facilitating clean label solutions;
- Financially attractive margin and growth profile which will improve business mix within NS; and
- Consistent with Glanbia’s balanced capital allocation framework and retaining a strong financial position post Transaction.
Transaction consideration, financing and closing
The initial consideration is USD 300 million with an additional deferred payment of up to USD 55 million, conditional on performance in 2024. Final consideration will also be impacted by the value of actual working capital and customary completion accounts at closing. The Transaction will be financed by Glanbia’s existing banking facilities and cash. Glanbia has a strong balance sheet with net debt of USD 248.7million at the end of FY 2023, a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.5 times and USD 1.3 billion of committed debt facilities.
It is anticipated that the Transaction will close in the first half of FY 2024 subject to customary closing conditions and agreed completion accounts.
The Transaction is expected to be marginally accretive to Glanbia’s adjusted earnings per share in its first full year of ownership.
The Company’s current EUR 100 million buyback programme announced on 28 February 2024 is ongoing and is unaffected by this Transaction.
About Flavor Producers
Flavor Producers was founded in 1981 as a family business in Valencia, California. They pioneered the development of natural and organic flavours by sourcing raw materials from nature. Plant-based flavour and extract creation is the Company’s specialty, with unique technologies that deliver transparently delicious taste to food and beverages. Today, Flavor Producers is a leading developer and manufacturer of natural and organic flavours in North America. Flavor Producers serves leading FMCG companies as well as high growth and emerging consumer brands.
In the 12 months to February 2024, Flavor Producers delivered USD 86.1 million net sales and adjusted EBITDA (before non-recurring costs) of USD 19.7 million. The gross assets of Flavor Producers as at February 2024 were USD 321 million.
Paul Graham, GB Managing Director at Britvic, has been appointed as the new President of the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) trade body following election at its AGM.
Paul takes over from Nichols CEO Dr Marnie Millard OBE, who led a number of initiatives during her time as President, including the BSDA’s role as a founder-member of Circularity Scotland Ltd, a scheme administrator for Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS).
Paul joined Britvic in September 2012 having worked in a range of commercial roles across all trade channels for United Biscuits and Mars Confectionery. He was promoted to his current position in July 2013 and was appointed Vice President of the BSDA in 2020.
He said: “I am delighted to be elected as the new BSDA President. I aim to continue the outstanding work of Marnie and past presidents on making further significant progress on a wide range of soft drinks-related issues, not least helping our partners in the hospitality sector get back on their feet after an extremely challenging year.
“As a founder-member of Circularity Scotland, the BSDA continues to work closely with the Scottish Government to develop its DRS, which is currently due to be introduced in 2022, although we are eager to see the Scottish Government review this date to help ensure delivery of a well-designed DRS system in Scotland that works for consumers and businesses.”
William Watkins, Founder and Owner at Radnor Hills, has been elected to replace Paul as Vice President of the BSDA. William founded Radnor Hills in 1991 on his family farm based on the Welsh borders. The business now produces more than 350 million products per year.
The BSDA represents UK producers of soft drinks, including carbonated drinks, still and dilutable drinks, fruit juices and bottled waters. Membership includes the majority of Britain’s soft drinks manufacturers as well as franchisors, importers and suppliers to the UK soft drinks industry.
In general, citrus prices were high in São Paulo State in 2020. With the lower orange production in the Brazilian citrus belt (São Paulo and the Triângulo Mineiro) in the 2020/21 season due to bad weather conditions, the demand from processors for fruits continued high along the year, which underpinned prices.
According to a report released by Fundecitrus on December 10, crop failure in the citrus belt (SP and the Triângulo Mineiro) should be the worst since 1988/1989, when the series began. In total, orange production should be 30 % lower in the 2020/21 season, totaling 269.36 million boxes of 40.8 kilos each.
INDUSTRIAL PRICES – Although processors began the 2020/21 season with high volumes of juice stocked – 471 thousand tons of Frozen Concentrate Orange Juice (FCOJ) Equivalent, according to CitrusBR –, low orange supply kept the demand for fruits high, which reflects on bidding prices.
On the average of the 2020/21 season, prices in the spot market between July and November closed at 23.51 BRL/box, 17.8 % up from that in the same period of 2019 and 7 % above that in the same period of 2018, in nominal terms.
IN NATURA MARKET – Higher demand from the industry lowered the availability of fruits in the in natura market, since some farmers who usually sell to the in natura market preferred to allocate their fruits to processors, due to the uncertainties caused by the covid-19 pandemic and the attractive prices bid by processors. This scenario added to the weather issues and high demand pushed up orange prices (in natura) all the year. For the variety pera rio, prices hit the highest level of the year in November, when the average was 43.35 BRL/box, on tree, 54.6 % up from that in Nov/19, in nominal terms.
The combined trade fair of BIOFACH, the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food, and VIVANESS, the International Trade Fair for Natural and Organic Personal Care, will be more international and diverse than ever before when it opens its doors at Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 12 – 15 February. Both shows are setting new records for exhibitor numbers, display area and international focus. A total of 3,792 exhibitors – 292 of them at VIVANESS – from 110 countries will showcase their products to the trade public on a display area measuring 57,609 m2. BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2020 are offering their roughly expected 50,000 visitors even more diversity than ever, in two additional halls. The approaches that the organic system already offers for resolving urgent issues affecting the future will be discussed by the organic sector as part of the congress theme “Organic delivers!”, while water will be the focus of the special show “All about water – is the basis of life endangered?”. The key trends at BIOFACH this year are “Packaging”, “Vegan 2.0”, “Open Pollinated Varieties” and “Region 2.0”.
All facets of organic: the thematic focus areas at BIOFACH
BIOFACH offers three major thematic focus areas to explore: Know-how & Learning, New Products & Trends, and Experience & Discover. Besides the BIOFACH Congress, the Know-how & Learning area includes the German-language “Fachhandelstreff” for specialist retailers, the network hubs “Generation Future” and “Initiatives & NGOs” as well as the new special show “All about water – is the basis of life endangered?”. The focus of “New Products & Trends” is on new products, newcomers and start-ups. This also includes the Novelty Stand (www.biofach.de/noveltystand) with 629 registered new products and the Best New Product Award, which is decided by trade visitors based on the products showcased at the Novelty Stand. The “New Products & Trends” area also includes the Pavilion that the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy sponsors for innovative new companies, the “German Newcomers”. Twenty-five newcomers and start-ups will be presenting to the trade public there under the heading of “Innovation made in Germany”. (www.biofach.de/en/newcomer).
The Experience the World of OLIVE OIL, WINE and VEGAN are part of the thematic focus area “Experience & Discover”. Product presentations, tastings and accompanying events for trade visitors are a long-standing part of the program there. There is also a standing tradition of coveted awards: the international organic wine prize known as MUNDUS VINI BIOFACH, and the Olive Oil Award.
BIOFACH World
NürnbergMesse has proven expertise in the field of organic foodstuffs.In February every year, the international organic sector gathers in Nuremberg at BIOFACH, the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food. The comprehensive range of certified organic products on display shows their diversity – from fresh products like dairy and cheese, fruit, vegetables, dry products like grains and pulses, nuts and confectionery to beverages. The international patron of BIOFACH is IFOAM – Organics International, while the national supporting organization is the German Federation of Organic Food Producers (BÖLW). An integral part of this world-leading fair is the BIOFACH Congress, a knowledge-sharing platform that is unique worldwide. With another six BIOFACH events in China, India, Japan, South America, Thailand and the USA, BIOFACH World has a global presence and year for year brings together more than 4,500 exhibitors and
150,000 trade visitors.
In marketing year 2018/19 FAS Warsaw expects that Polish apple producers will see a record-level harvest. Post forecasts Poland’s apple production to reach 4.0 million metric tons, a 43-percent increase from marketing year 2017/18. Post also expects marketing year 2018/19 fresh-apple exports to increase significantly over the previous year, due to record production and good dessert-fruit quality. …
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