SABMiller announces that its global brewing technical team has developed innovative technology which dramatically reduces the energy input required in the boiling process within its breweries. The new technology, which will be introduced across a number of SABMiller’s operations in the coming year, can dramatically cut the energy required at the point the unfermented ‘wort’ is heated to ensure product and microbial stability. In a typical brewery the energy used in boiling can account... ...Read more »

Italian confectionary maker Ferrero is looking to cut its carbon emissions by 17% by 2013 as part of a sustainability drive outlined in a report published by the maker of Ferrero Rocher, Rafaello, Nutella and Kinder yesterday.”We are proud of the fact that the commitment to Ferrero entrepreneurial values goes together with our engagement of working for the benefit of the local communities and territories where we operate,” said Pietro Ferrero CEO of Ferrero International. “The respect... ...Read more »

The NSW Government will today host a roundtable discussion on the opportunities and risks for businesses in moving to a low-carbon economy, Minister for State Development Ian Macdonald said. Mr Macdonald said up to 30 people are expecting to attend the round table in Sydney to hear from Dr David Vincent, the UK Carbon Trust’s Director of Projects. “The Carbon Trust, a not-for-profit company set up by the UK government in 2001, is a leader in helping businesses prepare for a low-carbon... ...Read more »

Power outages this summer could cost supermarkets hundreds of thousands of dollars in damaged or destroyed fresh food.A sudden brown-out or black-out, with increasing numbers of homes and buildings drawing on the power grids, will catch many owners and staff unawares forcing expensive loss of goods. An Australian company, Australian Industrial Rental (AIR), has developed a solution for supermarkets and fresh food retailers, and the fresh food industry, with a power generator that automatically synchs... ...Read more »

Anyone who owns or has recently visited a convenience store or supermarket is aware that energy drinks are hot. Leading market research firm Mintel reports that the retail market for energy drinks is now valued at $4.8 billion, a growth rate of over 400% from 2003, and they now believe the buzz for energy drinks is being transferred to food manufacturers. Drinking for energy The number of “energy drinkers” is still growing briskly, according to Mintel. In 2003, only 9% of adult respondents... ...Read more »

Victoria’s largest consumers of energy and water are expected to make big resource savings through the Brumby Government’s new Environment and Resource Efficiency Plans (EREP) program. The companies involved include a host of key food industry players. Victoria’s Environment and Climate Change Minister, Gavin Jennings, said EREP is the first program of its type in Australia and more than 250 sites across Victoria had answered the call to reduce energy and greenhouse gases, water... ...Read more »