UNESDA has appointed Natalia Filipposyants, senior vice president and general manager for Europe at PepsiCo International Beverages, as president of the European soft drinks trade association. Natalia Filipposyants Filipposyants takes over the role with immediate effect and will serve a two-year term, succeeding Andrew McMillin. Commenting on her appointment, Filipposyants highlighted the economic contribution of the European soft drinks sector, noting that it supports more than 1.8 million jobs and generates €242 billion in revenue across industries including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, retail and hospitality. She said the industry is operating in an environment shaped by changing consumer expectations, alongside growing economic and regulatory pressures. According to Filipposyants, consumers are increasingly seeking greater choice, transparency, functionality and sustainability, prompting manufacturers to accelerate innovation and expand portfolios of low- and no-sugar beverages. Filipposyants also reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with UNESDA members, policymakers and other stakeholders to help create a stable regulatory environment that supports investment, innovation and competitiveness across Europe. UNESDA director general Nicholas Hodac welcomed the appointment, adding: "Under [Filipposyants] leadership and together with our closely connected membership, we will continue to demonstrate the active role of our sector in supporting balanced beverage choices and driving innovation, sustainable growth, and prosperity for Europe.’’ Hodac also thanked outgoing president Andrew McMillin for his contribution to advancing the industry's priorities, particularly in areas such as innovation, growth and regulatory simplification during the start of the European Union’s new political mandate.

Two automated return machines from Tomra Reuse have been installed at Freiburg Central Station, marking the first integration of automated return technology into an existing urban reusable packaging system in Germany. The machines, which operate in partnership with the reusable cup network Recup, allow consumers to return reusable cups without visiting a participating café, offering a new collection point within the city's established reuse infrastructure. Freiburg has an established reusable packaging network, supported by a city-wide packaging tax on single-use items and a growing number of Recup partners. Until now, however, the city did not have automated return infrastructure at major public transport hubs. Located at one of the region’s busiest transport hubs, the new machines enable commuters, residents and visitors to return Recup cups at any time. The units automatically identify eligible cups and provide an immediate deposit refund through the user’s digital payment method. Phillip Goos, CEO of Recup, said the installation demonstrates how existing reusable systems can be strengthened through additional return infrastructure. “Central stations are busy hubs: people from across the region come together here, travelling into or out of the city,” he said. “Reusables need to work as simply as possible, even across city borders.” The project combines Tomra Reuse’s physical return machines with a digital platform designed to support reusable packaging systems. The infrastructure is intended to be interoperable, meaning it can be adapted to accept other reusable packaging formats in the future. According to Tomra, automated return points can complement existing reuse networks by increasing the number of available collection locations and making reusable packaging more convenient for consumers. Sven Hennebach, senior manager at Tomra Reuse, said the success of reusable systems depends on making returns as easy as the initial purchase. “Promoting reusables or making single-use less attractive isn't enough,” he said. “The right infrastructure is needed so consumers can naturally integrate reusables into their daily lives.” The Freiburg deployment follows Tomra Reuse’s city-wide return programme in the Danish city of Aarhus, where more than 30 return machines have been operating in public spaces since January 2024. The company said the network has processed almost two million returns and achieved a return rate of 89% over the past year.

Canny Snacks, a newly formed business backed by Welsh soft drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills, has secured the sales, marketing and distribution rights for British snack brand Burts Snacks as part of a move to expand into the snacking sector. The launch marks Radnor Hills’ first major venture beyond beverages, with the company aiming to leverage its existing infrastructure, commercial expertise and customer relationships to support growth in the adjacent snacking category. Under the agreement, Canny Snacks will manage the commercial development of the Burts brand, while ownership and manufacturing remain with Europe Snacks, which acquired Burts and its Plymouth production facility in 2023. Europe Snacks will continue as the exclusive manufacturing partner for the brand, producing Burts products at the Plymouth site using existing sourcing and production processes. Canny Snacks will operate as an independent business led by co-founder and director Tom Carne, with support from Radnor Hills’ commercial and operational teams. The business will also be guided by William Watkins, founder and CEO of Radnor Hills, and Adrian Carne, former CEO of Yeo Valley. The company said it plans to invest in the Burts brand and pursue innovation opportunities within the snacking market while maintaining continuity for customers during the transition process, which began on 1 June. Watkins said: “Canny Snacks allows us to explore growth beyond drinks and into the fast-growing snacking market, building on the experience, infrastructure and relationships we already have at Radnor Hills". He continued: “This is an exciting opportunity for Radnor Hills to expand into a category that naturally complements our core drinks business – after all, great drinks and great snacks are the perfect combination.” “Canny Snacks allows us to explore growth beyond drinks and into the fast-growing snacking market, building on the experience, infrastructure and relationships we already have at Radnor Hills." Carne added: “We’re delighted to be launching this new partnership with securing the sales and marketing rights for Burts Snacks, with the transition taking place in the coming weeks”. “We see a huge opportunity to unlock the potential of the Burts brand and build a scalable snacking business. By combining the strengths of Radnor Hills, Europe Snacks and our wider partners, we are well placed to drive future growth through a collaborative approach.” Rikin Lakhani, managing director of Burts UK, commented: “Canny Snacks’ entrepreneurial drive, combined with the expertise of Radnor Hills, creates a powerful platform to unlock new opportunities and take the Burts brand to the next level”.

Exchange For Change has today confirmed the fees to be paid to return point operators under the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, ahead of its launch in October 2027. Following industry consultation, the fees have been set at 3p per container for manual return points. For automatic return points, the structure is split into two tiers: 5p per container for up to 225,000 in-scope items returned annually and 1.3p per container for volumes above that threshold. Russell Davies, Exchange For Change CEO said: “We have taken onboard a wide range of feedback provided by retailers, producers and trade bodies and established a return handling fee (RHF) that reflects the complexities of the UK retail landscape and ensures the scheme remains in balance". “The UK’s retail landscape is unique in the world, spanning large supermarket chains, medium-sized franchises and a very high ratio of small and independent convenience stores comparative to other nations." “This means the network of return points across the UK will be extensive, and the nature of collections will range from small convenience stores manually collecting and returning a small amount of containers, through to large multinational supermarket chains operating multiple reverse vending machines that collect several thousand containers each week at every store." “The RHF reflects this diversity in our retail sector, and delivers a fair scheme for all.” Responding to the announcement, Travis Way, managing director at reverse vending machine specialist EcoVend, said the confirmation of return handling fees provided retailers with greater clarity on the financial framework of the scheme and would help support investment decisions and operational planning ahead of its 2027 launch. He welcomed the tiered structure, noting that it recognised the differing circumstances of retailers based on size and return volumes, while the distinction between manual return points and reverse vending machine operators should help keep the scheme practical and accessible across the retail sector. Way also said the planned review of fees before launch and on an ongoing basis would be important to ensure the structure reflects real-world operating costs and supports participation levels needed to achieve strong container return rates. The RHF will be reviewed early next year prior to the scheme going live, and it will continue to be reviewed annually to take account of new data available from producers and retailers, as well as to consider other relevant factors. The annual review will use real data collected during operation of the scheme, which will build a profile of the RHF and factors that impact it, thereby ensuring the assumptions and data inputs become more robust every year.

The Ryl Company, maker of the rapidly growing ready-to-drink iced tea brand Ryl Tea, has closed a $20 million Series C growth equity financing round led by Purchase Capital through its Ryl Growth Partners SPV. The investment will support the company's next phase of expansion, including continued retail distribution growth, further development of its Direct Store Delivery (DSD) network, product innovation and investments across sales, operations, and brand-building functions. The funding arrives amid accelerating momentum for Ryl Tea and growing industry attention around what some observers are calling the 'Modern Tea' movement – a shift toward better-for-you tea products that mirrors the transformation seen in categories such as soda, energy drinks and hydration beverages. According to Circana data cited by the company, Ryl Tea recorded 157% growth while the broader $4.5 billion canned and bottled tea category declined 1.8% over the same period. The company noted that, for the first time, dollar growth generated by emerging tea brands is outpacing the dollar decline experienced by legacy tea brands, signalling changing consumer preferences within the category. Blodin Ukella, founder and CEO of The Ryl Company, said: “Tea is one of the largest beverage categories in the U.S., but much of its shopper base has historically skewed older. Our mission is to bring a new generation of consumers into the tea aisle through products that align with how people want to drink today.” The company’s strategy centres on attracting younger consumers with zero-sugar formulations, functional benefits and contemporary branding. Ryl Tea's portfolio features fewer than five calories per can, functional tea polyphenols and vitamin C, positioning it within the broader health-and-wellness beverage trend that continues to resonate with Gen Z and Millennial shoppers. The financing follows a period of significant operational expansion for the company. Over the past two years, Ryl has established a national DSD footprint, a milestone that places the brand among a relatively small group of emerging beverage companies with scalable route-to-market capabilities. The company also recently expanded its innovation efforts through a multi-year licensing agreement with The Hershey Company. The partnership will bring zero-sugar iced teas inspired by Jolly Rancher flavours to market, combining one of confectionery’s most recognisable brands with Ryl’s functional tea platform. Nicholas J. Singer, founder and managing partner of Purchase Capital, said: “The Ryl leadership team has built a product that strongly resonates with consumers and is rapidly expanding. Modern Tea is one of the most compelling categories in the beverage industry, and Ryl is exceptionally well-positioned to lead it.” Looking ahead, Ryl executives indicated that additional product innovation is planned, with a new pipeline of launches expected in early 2027. Leigh Feuerstein, co-chairman of The Ryl Company, said: “The work our team has done to earn retailer trust, build out our DSD network, and secure partnerships with companies like Hershey has positioned us well for the next phase of growth.”

French water cooler manufacturer Mistral Constructeur has unveiled a redesigned version of its flagship Evopure commercial water cooler, marking 20 years since the original model was first introduced. The new Evopure 2.0 was launched at the industry trade show Venditalia and has been developed to reflect changing workplace hydration habits and growing demand for sustainable solutions. Designed by Mistral's in-house research and development team, the updated model retains the overall shape and structural design of the original Evopure while incorporating a more contemporary appearance. The unit features an all-black finish and a simplified user interface intended to provide a more modern user experience. The redesign also reflects the increasing adoption of reusable bottles in workplaces. As part of this shift, Mistral has removed the integrated disposable cup dispenser from the new model, encouraging users to bring their own drinking vessels. To accommodate reusable bottles more effectively, the dispensing area has been enlarged, allowing for easier filling of larger containers. The Evopure 2.0 also includes integrated connections for external wastewater drainage as standard, which the company says simplifies installation and day-to-day operation. Mistral added that the water cooler incorporates filtration technology designed for commercial and industrial environments, in line with manufacturing standards at its facility in Essonne, France. The Evopure 2.0 is manufactured in France and is now available for international pre-orders.

Royal Cup Coffee and Tea has secured a $192 million senior secured credit facility to support its acquisition of Farmer Brothers Coffee and provide working capital for the combined business. The financing was arranged by White Oak Commercial Finance, an affiliate of White Oak Global Advisors. The package comprises a $155 million revolving credit facility and a $37 million term loan. White Oak Commercial Finance acted as sole lead arranger and sole lender on the revolving facility, while Hilco Global served as administrative agent on the term loan, with White Oak acting as co-lender. The funding enabled Royal Cup, a portfolio company of Braemont Capital, to complete its acquisition of Farmer Brothers Coffee, expanding its national presence and manufacturing capabilities. According to the companies, the transaction will strengthen Royal Cup's position across key commercial beverage markets by increasing route density and broadening its operational footprint. Mark Allen Smith, managing director of originations at White Oak Commercial Finance, said the facility was designed to provide the flexibility needed to support Royal Cup's strategy of building a national beverage platform. Andre Hakkak, CEO and co-founder of White Oak Global Advisors, described the acquisition as an important milestone for Royal Cup, adding that the financing would support the company's growth plans while providing flexibility during the integration of the two businesses. Ian Fredericks, CEO of Hilco Global Capital Solutions (Americas), said the transaction reflected continued demand for scalable financing solutions in the lower middle market and would help position Royal Cup for long-term operational and strategic growth. The acquisition of Farmer Brothers is expected to enhance Royal Cup's capabilities as a provider of beverage and equipment solutions across the US market.

The European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA) has opened registrations for EVEX 2026, the latest edition of its annual European Vending Experience event, which will take place in Vienna, Austria, from 13-15 October. Hosted at the Parkhotel Schönbrunn, next to Vienna's historic Schönbrunn Palace, the event is being organised in partnership with the Austrian Vending Association (OVV). The EVA said the location was selected for its accessibility to participants from across Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, as well as the wider German-speaking market. Since its launch in 2015, EVEX has become one of the vending and coffee service industry's flagship annual events, bringing together operators, suppliers and other stakeholders for networking, exhibitions and educational sessions. The 2026 edition follows last year's event in Croatia. Running over two and a half days, EVEX 2026 will feature a trade exhibition, conference sessions and interactive workshops covering developments and trends across the vending and coffee service sectors. Networking activities will also form a key part of the programme, including a guided tour highlighting Vienna's coffee culture. The event will begin with a welcome cocktail reception and dinner on 13 October, with the main conference and exhibition programme taking place over the following two days. The EVA said sponsorship and visibility packages are already attracting strong interest, with a limited number of opportunities still available. Attendees are encouraged to register early and secure accommodation before the hotel booking deadline of 30 June. Further details on the programme, sponsors and registration are available via the EVA's EVEX 2026 event website.

VenHub has opened a second and larger production and assembly facility in Las Vegas, expanding its manufacturing capacity as demand for its autonomous Smart Store technology continues to grow. The company said the new site will enable it to increase production and deployment of its AI-powered retail units, supporting a broader commercial rollout across key sectors including airports, universities, corporate campuses, entertainment venues and EV charging locations. The facility represents the latest step in VenHub’s manufacturing expansion strategy, first outlined in March 2026, and is designed to speed up delivery times as customer demand increases. The announcement follows a series of recent commercial developments for the company, including an extension of its agreement with Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Metro, a partnership with Circa Resort & Casino to install an autonomous Smart Store at the Las Vegas property and additional agreements for new Smart Store locations across the city. Shahan Ohanessian, founder and CEO of VenHub, said the opening marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth plans. “The opening of our second production facility is a defining moment in the continuing evolution of VenHub,” he said. “We are no longer preparing to scale; we are now fully equipped to meet our growing demand and scale rapidly.” He added that the additional manufacturing capacity will allow the company to assemble and deploy Smart Stores more quickly as it expands its network of commercial partners. VenHub said it is seeing increasing interest from developers, municipalities and businesses seeking automated retail solutions. The company is currently prioritising deployments across transit hubs and airports, campuses and universities, corporate and government sites, fuel and EV charging locations, entertainment venues and convenience retail environments. Top image: © VenHub

Saratoga Spring Water has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Saratoga Collection, a new range of flavoured sparkling waters designed to tap into growing consumer demand for premium hydration options. The collection introduces four flavours: Untitled Berry No.3, Abstraction of Lime, Anatomy of a Peach and Mango Dragon Fruit Perspective. According to the company, each flavour has been designed to reflect different consumer personalities and lifestyles, ranging from a layered berry profile and bright lime flavour to a peach-flavoured offering and a tropical mango dragon fruit blend. The launch comes as the flavoured sparkling water category continues to benefit from consumer interest in healthier refreshment options and premium beverage experiences. Saratoga said the new range is intended to transform everyday hydration into a lifestyle statement, with flavour profiles designed to appeal to a variety of consumer preferences. Kheri Tillman, chief marketing officer at Primo Brands, said: “The Saratoga brand stands for fearless self-expression, and that spirit is captured deliciously and refreshingly in the four new flavours of Saratoga Collection. This new line celebrates originality and creativity, while creating more occasions to elevate the everyday with Saratoga.” Packaged under the Saratoga brand, known for its distinctive blue bottles, the collection is now available through retailers across the US.

The safety of drinking water and sanitation systems has a direct impact on human health. While many societies enjoy incredibly high water and sanitation quality, approximately 40% of the world’s recognised countries have an Environmental Performance Index score of less than 50 out of 100. As governments and businesses alike look towards 2026 global water quality targets, the search for sustainable, chemical-free solutions has never been more urgent. Enter bioaugmentation: the strategic use of ‘beneficial’ microorganisms to clean wastewater naturally. In this article, Canadian-based company Bionetix International highlights the significant potential of bioaugmentation to help governments and businesses alike achieve their water quality goals. What is bioaugmentation? Bioaugmentation, or biological augmentation, is the addition of bacterial cultures or other microorganisms to an area with the aim of speeding up the existing rate of contaminant degradation. Organisms originating from the contaminated areas may already be able to break down waste, but may be inefficient and slow. Implementing more of these indigenous bacterial cultures can significantly boost degradation rates. Bioaugmentation is considered an extremely effective and sustainable approach to removing contaminants. Bioaugmentation for wastewater Wastewater released to the environment without proper treatment can negatively impact the quality of water sources (eg. lakes and rivers) that supply drinking water. Furthermore, temporary camps for military personnel, mining operations or humanitarian aid may depend on wastewater reclamation to support hundreds of people onsite, making quality wastewater treatment critical. Wastewater treatment cannot happen without the presence of beneficial microorganisms that transform pollutants into stable end products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas, water and microbial biomass. Biological performance depends on retention time, oxygen availability and other factors that may vary from system to system. Unfortunately, challenges like BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) overloads, excessive foaming, sludge build-up or slow system start-up indicate that existing microorganisms cannot handle the load. That is where bioaugmentation – the addition of beneficial microorganisms that degrade waste – can help to keep the system in balance. Balancing wastewater overloads with ‘bugs’ Different microbial blends are suited to different wastewater challenges. In developing countries or remote locations where a new wastewater treatment system needs a quick start-up, bioaugmentation solutions can be used to rapidly seed or populate the system with billions of beneficial bacteria to support a wide range of waste degradation. Existing systems with sludge overloads could see a dramatic drop in pumping costs with the regular addition of microorganisms capable of digesting the sludge at the bottom of the lagoon. If ammonia levels are high, the right microorganisms can consume the excess. Bioaugmentation blends make it possible to tailor the solution to address specific problems. Bringing water quality within reach around the globe Many nations around the globe still need cleaner drinking water and better sanitation. Bioaugmentation can help to bring these goals in reach by enabling facilities to release cleaner wastewater to the ecosystem from which societies draw and filter potable water. Given the benefits of biological wastewater treatment, decision makers involved in advancing water quality around the globe should certainly consider the role of bioaugmentation in their water quality enhancement plan.

Dutch coffee machine manufacturer de Jong Duke has launched Nio Next, a new fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine designed for workplaces, public environments and other high-volume professional settings. The company said the machine combines premium design, touchscreen functionality and remote service capabilities, while also introducing an optional Fresh Milk Solution aimed at delivering barista-style milk beverages in unattended environments. Nio Next features a black exterior with a stainless steel adjustable dispense head and a 10.4-inch touchscreen interface designed to support personalised drink selection and simplified navigation. The machine has been developed for locations requiring high-capacity beverage preparation alongside consistent drink quality across multiple sites. Alongside the launch, de Jong Duke unveiled its exclusive Fresh Milk Solution, which uses smart valve technology and temperature control to produce milk foam for beverages such as cappuccinos and lattes. According to the company, the system has been designed for low-attendance environments and includes an automated clean-in-place cycle, daily rinse functionality and automatic flushing throughout the day to help maintain hygiene and reduce servicing requirements. Nio Next also includes a redesigned service environment intended to simplify installation, cleaning and maintenance. Technicians can access a guided service menu aimed at reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency. The company added that the machine is more than 93% recyclable as part of its wider sustainability efforts. When connected to de Jong Duke's ConnectMe platform, operators can remotely monitor service information, usage data, replacement notifications and customer feedback through an integrated poll function. Nio Next and the Fresh Milk Solution will be available to order from June 2026.