US ready-to-drink protein beverage brand Splyt has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a limited-edition Banana Milk flavour, tapping into demand for nostalgic flavours within the functional beverage category. The product combines the taste of banana-flavoured milk with 20g of protein, 0g of sugar, 90 calories and 60mg of caffeine per shelf-stable can. It is made with lactose-free ultrafiltered milk. The launch is the latest addition to Splyt’s range of protein milk beverages, which includes Chocolate, Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Vanilla Milkshake and Max Chocolate varieties. Josh Mendenhall, co-founder and president of Splyt, said: "It delivers that familiar banana flavour people grew up with, but with 20g of protein, added energy and the bold experience Splyt is known for. It's playful, functional and built for how people actually drink today." Splyt’s Banana Milk is available exclusively through Amazon and TikTok Shop in the US while stocks last.

Nestlé has brought together its Aero and Milkybar brands in a new confectionery range launching across the UK and Ireland. The range combines Aero’s aerated chocolate texture with Milkybar white chocolate. It includes a bubbly sharing bar and a sharing bag of bite-sized pieces. Produced at Nestlé’s factory in York, the products are available in selected stores now, with the full range set to roll out nationwide from August. Rachel Beaufoy, marketing manager at Nestlé, said: “We’re very excited to see fan reactions to the team-up of two of our classic brands. The iconic Milkybar white chocolate combined with the signature Aero bubbles is a duo we know fans will love.” The launch follows several recent additions to Nestlé’s confectionery portfolio, including Aero Caramel flavour bubbles, an Aero Pistachio flavour sharing bar and Milkybar Crunchy Pops.

Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage has inaugurated its ‘largest and most advanced’ manufacturing facility in Asia, located in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. Opened on 10 July 2026, the company (a joint venture of beverage giants Suntory Japan and US-based PepsiCo) has made an investment of $300 million into the facility – its sixth manufacturing hub in the country. In a statement announcing the launch, Suntory PepsiCo said the milestone marks a key step forward in its growth journey and reflects its long-term commitment to building a ‘future-ready,’ technology-driven and sustainable business. The site is equipped with end-to-end automation and smart manufacturing systems across its operations, aiming to help the company serve customers faster and more efficiently. It includes Suntory PepsiCo’s first fully automated warehouse in Vietnam and the region, designed to boost safety, responsiveness and operational efficiency. Additionally, the LEED Gold-certified plant has been built with a sustainability-focused approach across operations, utilising biomass steam systems, solar energy, water reuse and zero-waste-to-landfill initiatives.

Major drinks manufacturers and grocery retailers have called on the Welsh government to appoint an administrator for Wales’ Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) by the end of July. Executives from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, PepsiCo, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Carlsberg Britvic, The Co-operative Group, Asahi UK and Highland Spring are among the signatories to a joint open letter addressed to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth. The businesses are urging the government to appoint Exchange for Change, which was selected to administer the schemes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in May 2025. They argue that using the same organisation offers the most practical route to launching the Welsh scheme on schedule while ensuring compatibility with the rest of the UK. Wales’ DRS is due to launch on 1 October 2027. With less than 15 months remaining, the signatories warned that continued delays could make commercial and operational preparations more difficult, potentially increasing costs for businesses and consumers. They also raised concerns that Welsh consumers could be charged deposits on eligible drinks containers without having access to a functioning return network through which to reclaim their money. The inclusion of glass has been a point of contention in the development of the Welsh scheme. Industry representatives claimed that requiring full-scale glass collection at every return point from launch could add approximately 50p to the cost of each drink sold in a glass bottle. They said this could disproportionately affect smaller Welsh breweries and drinks manufacturers that rely on glass packaging. However, the letter welcomed the government’s manifesto commitment to bring glass into the scheme only when its inclusion becomes practically feasible. Exchange for Change’s appointment in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland unlocked more than £1 billion of industry investment, according to the letter. The schemes are expected to support more than 4,300 jobs. A spokesperson for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners said: “A well-run Deposit Return Scheme reduces litter, boosts recycling rates, reduces carbon emissions and creates a cleaner environment for communities – every week without a scheme administrator for the proposed Welsh scheme makes delivering those benefits more challenging". “Businesses want to focus on building a scheme that genuinely serves Welsh consumers and the environment. Therefore, we respectfully encourage the Welsh government to move forward with appointing a scheme administrator before recess.” The Co-operative Group said appointing Exchange for Change would help accelerate progress towards a circular economy while protecting the price and availability of drinks in Wales. Andy Bagnall, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said the new Welsh government had inherited the delays from the previous administration but still had time to deliver the scheme. “There is still time to deliver a scheme that works for shoppers, businesses and retailers alike, but that window is closing rapidly,” Bagnall commented. “Appointing Exchange for Change offers the quickest and most practical route to delivering the scheme on time and alongside the rest of the UK.” He added that the government should adopt a “pragmatic approach” to glass instead of requiring full-scale collection from the scheme’s first day.

Nichols and Myprotein have launched Myprotein Clear Whey Protein Water in the UK under a multi-year brand licensing agreement. Nichols will manufacture the new ready-to-drink product and distribute it through its nationwide UK retail network. The launch combines Myprotein’s expertise in sports nutrition with Nichols’ soft drinks manufacturing and distribution capabilities. The protein water is designed to offer consumers a lighter and more refreshing way to increase their protein intake during the day. It also marks Myprotein’s expansion into the ready-to-drink category and builds on its existing partnership with Nichols’ Vimto brand. Andrew Milne, CEO of Nichols, said: “Functional drinks are currently one of the most exciting growth areas in soft drinks, as consumers increasingly look for products that combine great taste, refreshment and added benefits". “Myprotein Clear Whey Protein Water has been developed to meet that demand, offering shoppers a lighter and more refreshing way to add protein into their day.” Neil Mistry, CEO of THG Nutrition, Myprotein's parent company, added: “More and more consumers are looking to boost their protein intake, and functional drinks are becoming an increasingly important way for them to do so.” Mistry described the product as a “natural next step” for the Myprotein and Vimto partnership, adding that it signals the sports nutrition brand’s planned expansion into the chilled and impulse retail channels.

Trash, a new functional beverage made from upcycled cacao fruit, has officially launched following its public debut at Taste of London, offering retailers and consumers a new take on sustainable hydration. Created by British entrepreneur and chocolatier Flo Broughton, founder of premium chocolate brand Choc on Choc, the new drink is made by rescuing the nutrient-rich pulp that surrounds cocoa beans, a part of the fruit that is typically discarded during chocolate production. According to the company, around 70% of the cacao fruit is currently wasted at source despite its naturally sweet flavour and nutritional profile. Trash aims to capture this overlooked ingredient by cold-pressing the fresh fruit into a lightly flavoured functional water. Each 250ml recyclable aluminium can contains 30% rescued cacao fruit, not from concentrate, and 70% water, with no added sugar. The drink delivers 40mg of vitamin C, 150mg of potassium and 28mg of magnesium, alongside naturally occurring electrolytes and antioxidants, while remaining low in calories. The resulting beverage offers a crisp, tropical flavour profile designed to appeal to consumers seeking naturally functional drinks with strong sustainability credentials. Broughton said: "I spent twenty years making chocolate before I really sat with the fact that we throw most of the fruit away. Once you have seen it, you cannot unsee it. Trash is my way of proving that trash can become treasure as we rescue this fruit. Farmers benefit too, earning around 30% more income per cacao pod when the whole fruit is used." The launch reflects growing momentum behind upcycled ingredients as food and beverage manufacturers seek to reduce waste while meeting consumer demand for products with measurable environmental benefits. The drink is Upcycled Certified and positions itself at the intersection of sustainability, natural hydration and functional nutrition. For Broughton, whose Choc on Choc brand has built national distribution across retailers including Selfridges, Waitrose, M&S, Ocado and Next, TRASH represents a move beyond confectionery into the rapidly expanding functional drinks category. The brand introduced the product to consumers at Taste of London in Regent's Park, where visitors sampled the beverage and learned more about the potential of cacao fruit as an underutilised food ingredient. Trash is available in a 250ml can with an RRP of £3.

Nestlé is investing CHF 563 million (approx. $696 million) into building a new Nescafé production facility in Thailand. The facility will also house an advanced, on-site distribution centre, set to enable shorter delivery times, improved inventory management and greater agility. Located in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province, the factory will manufacture a full range of products under the Nescafé brand, including soluble coffee, coffee mixes and ready-to-drink coffee beverages. It will be equipped with advanced automation technology and AI-enabled systems to boost efficiency, sustainability and product quality. This includes Nestlé’s latest next-generation coffee extraction and aroma recovery technology, which preserves the aromas released from roasted coffee and helps to deliver a fresher drinking experience. Automated systems and robotics will also be used to streamline packing, transport and inventory management at the site. The investment highlights the company’s commitment to Thailand’s coffee market, worth roughly $1.2 billion. Remy Ejel, executive vice president and CEO of Nestlé’s Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa, said: “Coffee is Nestlé's largest business globally, and Thailand is one of our biggest coffee markets.” “By investing in Nescafé, one of our most iconic global brands, we are strengthening our ability to meet growing consumer demand and ensuring local brand relevance to deliver consistent, volume-led growth.” Expected to begin operations in the second half of 2028, the facility will employ more than 500 people. Nestlé will work with Thai farmers and suppliers through use of local ingredients and raw materials, supporting the local economy and surrounding communities. The project has secured backing from Thailand’s Board of Investment due to its alignment with the country’s ambitions to promote a Bio-Circular Green economy. Nestlé has been present in Thailand for more than 130 years and is a major buyer of locally grown robusta coffee. The new factory builds on more than 40 years of support for Thai coffee farmers through the supply of coffee plantlets and programmes that promote regenerative agriculture and climate resilience.

The Automatic Vending Association (AVA) has appointed a new board of directors, bringing together representatives from across the vending and automated retail sector. The board includes professionals from operations, technology, finance, food and beverages, and industry representation, with Chris Skipper of NVCS named as chair. Skipper has worked in vending since 1984, when he entered the sector through a family business. He later joined NVCS, becoming a director in 2006, and has been a long-standing member of the AVA Technical Committee, where he has supported work around industry standards and training for technical staff. Tom Williams, managing director of Coinadrink, will serve as treasurer. Williams rejoined the family vending business in 2015 after a decade in retail management and became managing director in 2022. He is also a member of the AVA Environmental Committee. The board also includes Natalie Baker, managing director at Westways Vending, and Richard Brinsley, managing director of Westomatic Vending Services. Baker has spent 20 years with the family business and was named Woman of the Year – Operator and Family Business of the Year at the 2026 Vendies. Brinsley brings 57 years of vending industry experience. Michelle Hefferon, general manager of NIVO at Montagu Group, joins the board with more than 30 years of experience across vending and the drinks industry, including operations, supply chains, payment systems and sustainability. Thomas Ward, managing director of Excel Vending, will also represent operators on the board. Ward, a chartered accountant, joined Excel Vending’s senior management team in 2016 and has worked across finance, logistics, IT project management and procurement before becoming managing director. Food and beverage supply-side representation will come from Carl Hunter, account controller for automated retail and new business in Kepak’s foods division, and Anna Wilkins, national account manager at Barry Callebaut Beverages. Hunter has spent 13 years working in automated retail, following earlier roles at Coca-Cola, while Wilkins has experience building commercial relationships across the UK vending sector. Jason Vincent, chief technology and product officer and co-founder of Boost Inc, also joins the board. His work has focused on vending technology, coffee, fridges and micro-markets. David Llewellyn, chief executive of the AVA, said: “We are delighted to welcome our new and existing board members, each of whom brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for the vending and automated retail industry. This board represents the full breadth of our membership and I am confident they will play a pivotal role in helping the AVA deliver for its members.” Chris Skipper, incoming chair of the AVA board, added: “It is a privilege to be taking on the role of chair alongside such an experienced and passionate group of individuals. Between us, we bring decades of hands-on knowledge from every corner of the vending and automated retail industry, and that breadth is something I believe will be a real strength for the AVA and its members.” Skipper said his focus would be on ensuring the association continues to champion industry standards, training and innovation.

A new report from the European Coffee Federation (ECF) has highlighted the economic role of coffee across Europe and its links with producing countries. The report, prepared by Europe Economics, found that coffee-related activities generate €84.4 billion in direct gross value added across the 27 member countries of the European Union and support 1.5 million direct full-time equivalent jobs. When indirect and induced effects are included, the sector supports 3.8 million jobs. More than 87% of direct coffee-related jobs are in the horeca sector, underlining coffee’s role in cafés, restaurants, hotels and other local businesses across Europe. The report also found that every €1 of direct coffee output is associated with around €2.60 of total output once wider economic effects are included. Europe is described in the report as the world’s largest coffee market, accounting for around a quarter of global coffee consumption. Because coffee is not grown commercially in Europe, the ECF said the sector depends on close links between producing countries and destination markets. Globally, around 12.5 million farming households depend on coffee for their livelihoods, with smallholders accounting for about 85% of this total. The report notes that European demand plays an important role for several producing economies. While Burundi and Uganda represent relatively small shares of EU+ coffee imports – referring to the EU27 plus the UK, Norway and Switzerland – the EU+ market absorbs around 91% of Burundi’s coffee exports and approximately 56% of Uganda’s. Eileen Gordon-Laity, secretary general of the European Coffee Federation, said the findings show coffee is “much more” than an agricultural commodity or daily consumer product, describing it as a shared value chain connecting farming families in producing countries with businesses, workers and consumers across Europe. The report also estimates that coffee-related activities generate €65 billion in sales and labour tax revenues across the EU27. Andrew Lilico, executive director and principal at Europe Economics, said the findings provide an evidence-based picture of the employment and economic activity supported throughout the coffee value chain.

The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has appointed Michael Schwartz as chair of its board of directors for 2026-27. Michael Schwartz Schwartz, who serves as vice president of field and account sales in the US and equipment for the US and Canada at Nestlé Professional Solutions, took up the role on 1 July. He succeeds Patrick Moran of Moran Refreshments, who will serve as past chair. NAMA has also named a new slate of board officers and directors to support the association’s work across the convenience services industry. Schwartz brings more than two decades of leadership experience across foodservice, workplace and hospitality. His previous roles include senior positions at Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Nestlé, where he led national sales teams and developed partnerships focused on expanding food access. Schwartz said: “This industry is full of momentum, and I’m honoured to help carry that forward as chair. What makes this industry special is the combination of experience, ingenuity and a shared commitment to serving people well.” He added that he looks forward to working with NAMA president and CEO Christine Cochran, the board and the wider NAMA community to build on the association’s progress. Cochran said Schwartz and the board “understand the value this industry delivers every day,” adding that NAMA will continue working with leaders focused on supporting members and strengthening convenience services in workplaces and communities. The 2026-27 NAMA board officers are: Michael Schwartz, Nestlé Professional Solutions, chair; Scott Halloran, Trolley Hospitality Companies, chair elect; Matt Hubbard, Continental Services, vice chair; April Cathcart, G&J Marketing and Sales, secretary/treasurer; and Patrick Moran, Moran Refreshments, past chair. Newly elected board directors include Mike Gilroy of Mars Wrigley, Jamie Guadagnino of Vistar and Porter Hinton of Canteen. NAMA also announced the 2026-27 trustees of the NAMA Foundation, which supports the industry through leadership, research and mission-focused work. New trustees include Scott Halloran of Trolley Hospitality Companies as secretary/treasurer, Mesh Gelman of Cumulus Coffee, Lawrence Binsky of Unified Strategies Group and Emma Rys of PepsiCo. Top image: © NAMA

Orgain has introduced a new ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shake made with ultra-filtered A2 milk, targeting consumers seeking high-protein beverages that may offer improved digestibility compared with conventional dairy protein drinks. The new A2 30g Protein Shake is launching in a Creamy Chocolate flavour and delivers 30g of complete protein per serving, including all nine essential amino acids and 3g of leucine to support muscle health. The launch reflects growing innovation within the functional beverage category, where manufacturers are increasingly combining high-protein formulations with digestive health benefits to meet evolving consumer demand. Unlike conventional milk, the shake is produced using A2 milk sourced from cows that naturally produce only the A2 beta-casein protein. According to Orgain, this may make the product easier to digest for some consumers than protein drinks made with regular dairy milk. The beverage also offers a lower-calorie nutritional profile, containing 160 calories and 2g of sugar per serving. In addition to its protein content, the shake provides calcium and vitamins A and D to support bone health. Orgain has positioned the product as an on-the-go nutrition solution for active consumers, while also responding to demand for products with simplified ingredient lists. The shake is lactose-free, gluten-free and carrageenan-free, and contains no added sugar, artificial flavours, soy ingredients, sucralose or added hormones.

Air Up has appointed Cristina Kenz as chief executive officer as the scent-based hydration brand looks to expand its global retail presence and and strengthen its direct-to-consumer business. Cristina Kenz Kenz, who previously served as chairwoman of the board, succeeds outgoing CEO Chris Hauth, who led the company through its initial growth phase. Hauth will remain connected to the business as an investor. As part of the leadership changes, Kenz has appointed Sina Neubrandt as chief marketing officer. Neubrandt will lead Air Up’s marketing strategy, with a focus on consumer storytelling, culture-led campaigns and global brand-building. The company said the appointments mark a shift from its early scale-up phase towards becoming a more established omnichannel consumer business. Under Kenz’s leadership, Air Up plans to accelerate growth across direct-to-consumer channels and physical retail, while continuing to develop its drinking hardware and scent pod range. The brand is also preparing for major product innovations linked to new consumption occasions in 2027. Founded on the idea that water can feel flavoured without adding sugar, sweeteners or artificial additives, Air Up uses retronasal olfaction to deliver perceived taste through scent. Its Scentaste drinking system allows consumers to drink plain water while experiencing flavour through scented pods. Kenz stepped into the CEO role in April, bringing experience from senior roles at PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz and Danone. Her background spans commercial scaling, international growth, innovation, consumer-led transformation and ESG-focused business change. Kenz said: “Having spent months guiding the business as chairwoman, I have seen the incredible power of Air Up’s technology firsthand. Our next frontier is clear: we are going to build a true omnichannel powerhouse. “By aggressively accelerating our physical retail footprint while matching it with the agility of our DTC ecosystem, we will make healthy hydration with taste by scent universally accessible. I am absolutely thrilled to appoint Sina to our C-suite. Her brilliant background in culture-shaping storytelling at Adidas and Absolut makes her the perfect leader to amplify our consumer reach as we scale new product models and pioneer new categories for the brand.”