Premium water brand Wenlock Spring has teamed up with UK train operator Avanti West Coast to launch water refill stations aboard its trains, marking a first for the country's railway industry. The initiative is part of Avanti West Coast’s £450 million investment in its fleet and aims to provide complimentary water to passengers traveling on Pendolino trains. The water is dispensed from reusable bottles, reducing single-use plastic. During the trial, passengers consumed over 21,000 litres of water in three months, equivalent to 42,000 standard-sized 500ml plastic bottles. Matthew Orme, director at Wenlock Spring, said: “We’re proud to have worked on the development of the onboard refill points with Avanti West Coast". “The refill points dispense Wenlock Spring from reusable bottles, which are returned to us for refilling time and time again. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or running errands, easily accessible water encourages healthier drinking choices, making it the ideal choice to stay refreshed throughout the day.” “As an independently-owned and ethically-conscious brand, we're focused on offering Wenlock Spring in a range of formats, bottled sustainably to enable people to stay hydrated, wherever they are." Bob Powell, head of inclusive customer experience at Avanti West Coast, added: “The water refill points are another example of how we are raising the bar for rail travel in the UK". “With many people now carrying their own water bottle, the opportunity to refill them free of charge is part of our responsible business commitment to build a cleaner and greener railway, and significantly reduces single-use plastic onboard our services.” #WenlockSpring #AvantiWestCoast #UK #water

The Welsh government has announced its decision to withdraw from the proposed UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). In a statement on issued Monday, 18 November, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, announced that the country is unable to move forward with the joint process at this time. In April, the UK government announced that a DRS programme would be implemented by October 2027, though the new Labour administration has suggested it aims to accelerate this timeline. The process has seen multiple disagreements between politicians and industry representatives from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland regarding the scheme's structure and the inclusion of glass. "In partnership with the UK and devolved governments, we have been working to initiate a joint process to appoint the Deposit Management Organisation for our respective schemes later this month,” Irranca-Davies said. "However, in the time available it has not been possible to address the issues to the operation of devolution caused by the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, inherited by the UK government from the previous administration." "This unfortunately means that we are not able to proceed with the joint process or notify the WTO in relation to the scheme at this point." That said, Irranca-Davies clarified that the government remains committed to introducing a scheme that will benefit Wales and aid its transition to a circular economy. "Our active engagement with industry has highlighted that there are currently a range of views on how best to achieve the transition to reuse,” he said. "We will therefore continue our active engagement to develop a scheme that supports the transition to reuse for all drinks containers including those made from glass. In doing so we will also continue to draw from international best practice." Each year, UK consumers use approximately 14 billion plastic drinks bottles and nine billion drinks cans, many of which end up as litter or in landfill. A deposit return scheme could seamlessly integrate into daily life, making recycling more convenient, as seen in Germany, Finland, and Norway, where recycling rates exceed 90%. In comparison, the UK's current recycling rate for drinks containers is around 70%. #Wales #DepositReturnSchemes #DRS

Nestlé has announced plans to spin off its water and premium beverages division into a standalone global business, effective from 1 January 2025. The Swiss food giant unveiled its action plan during the company’s Capital Markets Day on Tuesday, 19 November, 'to drive category growth and improve market share performance'. The strategy includes enhancing operational efficiency, increasing advertising and marketing investment by 9% and achieving additional cost savings of at least CHF 2.5 billion (approx. $2.83 billion) by 2027. As part of the plan, Nestlé plans will separate its bottled water and premium beverage brands, including labels such as Perrier and San Pellegrino into an independent business unit. The move is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational performance and unlock the full potential of its brands. The newly formed business will be led by Muriel Lienau, head of Nestlé Waters Europe. Nestlé stated that the new management team will review the strategic direction of the standalone water and premium beverages business. This evaluation will involve exploring partnership opportunities to maximise the potential of Nestlé's brands and growth platforms. Nestlé's action plan is designed to drive 'superior, sustainable and profitable' growth. Over the medium term, the company anticipates achieving organic sales growth exceeding 4% under normal operating conditions, alongside an underlying operating profit margin of over 17%. #Nestlé #water #beverages

Sodexo is set to acquire CRH Catering, a convenience solutions provider in the Mid-Atlantic region. The move will enhance Sodexo's InReach offerings and and strengthens its position in the $30 billion US convenience market. The acquisition will boost Sodexo's East Coast operations, adding services like micro markets, vending, office coffee, pantry, fresh food and on-site food services. CRH Catering's commissary will help improve coordination between off-site production and convenience services in key Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas, supporting Sodexo's goal to achieve $500 million in revenue from InReach by the end of 2025. This acquisition is part of Sodexo's strategy to meet changing consumer demands for grab-and-go fresh food and healthier options. Sarosh Mistry, CEO of Sodexo North America, said: “The acquisition of CRH Catering represents a significant step in our growth plans by expanding InReach’s retail offerings in the US. It reflects our ambition to become a leader in on-site convenience solutions." "With this deal, we’ll be able to rapidly expand our presence in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets to further meet the growing demand that clients and consumers are showing in innovative retail options. We look forward to welcoming and working closely with CRH Catering, a company with an outstanding reputation and a world class team. We expect this to be a great fit culturally and to be able to seamlessly transition the business in the coming months” Joe and Peter Cordaro, president and VP of CRH Catering, added: “We are thrilled to join Sodexo and contribute to InReach expansion. As a family-owned company, we share the same values, culture and passion for service excellence. We are proud to bring our technologies and expertise to deliver high-value consumer experiences across North America.” The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of fiscal 2025. #Sodexo #CRHCatering

Cork Airport has introduced Ireland’s first reverse vending machines (RVMs) at a transport hub as part of the Deposit Return Scheme. The initiative, launched in partnership with Re-turn, features four RVMs – two for standard recycling and two pink charity RVMs – located both landside and airside at the airport. Passengers can choose to donate their deposits to the 'Return for Children' initiative, benefiting six of Ireland’s largest children’s charities, with donations being equally distributed among these charities, collectively aiding over 165,000 children. Alternatively, passengers can use their deposits for purchases at Cork Airport’s food and drink outlets. Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said: “We are delighted to partner with Cork Airport to launch Ireland’s first charity reverse vending machines". "This initiative promotes sustainability by facilitating recycling through the Deposit Return Scheme at this important transport hub, while also supporting truly worthy organisations which provide vital supports to thousands of children. Every bottle or can recycled through our charity RVMs contributes directly to making a difference in the lives of children in need.” Lord Mayor of Cork City, Councillor Dan Boyle, commented: "These reverse vending machines will allow passengers to exchange their empty bottles and cans in return for the deposit, which can be spent at the various retail outlets at the airport, or alternatively, to donate their deposit which will benefit six fantastic Irish charities". "I would like to commend both Cork Airport, the first airport/transport hub in the country to pilot reverse vending machines on-site, and Re-turn, for their initiative in installing the machines. Since its introduction in February, the Deposit Return Scheme has proved to be a great success with over 700 million drinks containers returned to date." Since launching in February 2024, Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme has enabled the recycling of over 700 million containers. #CorkAirport #RVMs #Ireland #reversevending

Tea supplier Typhoo plans to appoint administrators as the brand faces declining sales. The 121-year-old brand, owned by private equity firm Zetland Capital, faces over £70 million in debt and declining sales in a competitive drinks market, reported The Guardian . The company has filed a court notice to appoint administrators EY to oversee the process. The filing comes less than a month after former Burts Snacks boss Dave McNulty joined Typhoo as its new CEO . Typhoo has faced struggles for years as many consumers have shifted from tea to coffee, energy drinks and newer trends like bubble tea. In its latest annual report, the tea company announced a £38 million loss for the year ending September 2023, with revenue dropping 25% compared to the previous year. A spokesperson for Typhoo told FoodBev : "Typhoo Tea Limited (TTL) announced its intention to appoint administrators on 14 November 2024". "TTL is not in administration, and this action has been taken to enable us to pursue a sale of the business. A further statement will be issued in due course with further information." Top image: © Typhoo Tea #Typhoo #tea

With a growing focus on health, sustainability and convenience, smart water bottles are revolutionising the way consumers stay hydrated. From scent-based flavour innovations to UV sterilisation, manufacturers are blending advanced technology with consumer demands to create smarter, more sustainable solutions. Staying hydrated has never been so high-tech. Smart water bottles are evolving beyond basic hydration tools, offering users enhanced functionality, sustainability and personalised experiences. Whether it is scent pods for flavour enhancement, AI-designed custom bottles or UV-C technology for cleaner water, these advanced bottles meet the growing demand for hydration solutions that align with health-conscious lifestyles. For manufacturers, developing smart water bottles is a response to evolving consumer behaviours and the global emphasis on sustainability, aiming to reduce reliance on single-use plastics while promoting healthier lifestyles. Here, we take a look at some of the innovative smart water bottles on the market... Air Up Air Up bottles use scent pods that attach to the top of the bottle’s straw, delivering flavour through olfactory perception rather than taste. As users drink and the scent is carried into their mouth, creating the sensation of flavour without adding any chemicals, sugars or additives to the water itself. The inventive scent-based design caters especially well to people who find plain water unappealing but want to cut down on flavoured or sugary drinks. The flavour experience is fully customisable through a wide variety of scent pods, such as bubblegum, lemon-lime and cola. The bottle design is durable and dishwasher-safe, and Air Up offers reusable pods that align with sustainable practices. Read Air Up's leadership piece on how consumers are driving growth in the water bottle industry here . Earlier this year, Air Up released the the second generation of its Polymer Adapter Bottle (Gen2 PAB). Available in 600ml and 1-litre sizes, the new version introduces an ActiveOn Mouthpiece that provides instant flavour activation without lifting the pod. The bottle also features leak-proof, tight sealing for easy on-the-go use, and it is dishwasher. Alongside the bottle, Air Up launched two new five-pod flavour variety packs in the US. The first pack includes flavours including mango passion fruit, peach iced tea, lime, cherry cola and cassis fruit, while the second offers options including cola, watermelon, orangeade, apple and pineapple. Gatorade Gatorade has partnered with Adobe Firefly to allow athletes and sports enthusiasts to create their own custom-designed Gatorade Squeeze Bottles using generative AI. The experience is available through Gatorade’s free membership platform, Gatorade iD. Users can create their own unique designs for their Gatorade Squeeze Bottle by entering keywords related to their sports, hobbies or interests into a search box. They can then choose from various colours, patterns and themes to personalise their bottle. Adobe Firefly Services powers the creation of personalised images while preserving the Gatorade Squeeze Bottle’s signature design. The feature is available exclusively on the Gatorade website through Gatorade iD, where users can earn points and unlock benefits. Points are used to generate bottle designs, with preset options for inspiration. Members can create two free designs, after which they can use loyalty points for additional designs. WaterH Boost The WaterH Boost is a 32oz smart water bottle designed to help users achieve their daily hydration goals through smart technology. This water bottle features an LED screen embedded directly into the bottle. This screen acts as a 'digital drinking coach,' displaying 'motivational tips' to encourage water drinking, progress updates and reminders to help users stay on track with their water intake. The bottle connects with an app to track goals and syncs with devices like iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, Android devices and fitness trackers such as Fitbit. With the bottle’s LED light, users are reminded to drink water. Additionally, the WaterH Boost features USB Type-C charging, with a two-hour charge lasting approximately 15 days. William Wu, inventor of WaterH, said: "Busy schedules can make it easy to forget or lose track. That's where WaterH Boost comes in – it provides helpful reminders and tracking insights to make hydration easy, ensuring you reap the wellness benefits." Larq The Larq bottle uses proprietary UV-C LED technology, which purifies water while also self-cleaning, addressing common issues with reusable bottles, such as odour, contamination and difficulty cleaning. The bottle addresses common issues with reusable bottles, such as odour, contamination, difficulty cleaning and limited access to clean water. Its UV-C light, at the optimal 280nm wavelength, effectively kills bacteria and viruses, offering a safe, non-toxic and mercury-free solution. Made from professional-grade stainless steel, it’s free of BPA, BPS and phthalates. The bottle’s double-walled, vacuum-sealed design keeps drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. Justin Wang, co-founder of Larq, commented: "We know that pure water on-the-go and stinky bottles are the two primary pain points affecting one's adoption of reusable bottles. Larq's proprietary UV-C LED technology is integrated into a beautifully designed product that delivers pure water from a self-cleaning bottle and directly addresses these complaints." HidrateSpark The HidrateSpark PRO Insulated Flip Lid smart bottle is an advanced hydration tool that combines the functionality of a smart water bottle with the capability to handle both hot and cold drinks. The bottle uses HidrateSpark’s signature sensor technology to track the user hydration throughout the day. It syncs with the HidrateSpark app, which provides real-time reminders and notifications to help users stay on track with their hydration goals. The bottle can be used for water, coffee of tea, offering the versatility of monitoring hydration for a range of liquids. The Flip Lid accessory allows HidrateSpark PRO users to enjoy hot beverages for the first time, providing a leak-proof, secure way to carry coffee or tea. Coleman Iverson, co-CEO of HidrateSpark, said: "Our hydration equation and sensor technology is what makes HidrateSpark uniquely different and turns just a plain ordinary water bottle into a smart one that lights up and glows to help you beat dehydration. Now we are extending our smart bottle technology to our newest product, HidrateSpark PRO Flip Lid, in order to give consumers the smartest way to stay properly hydrated all day long." #Smartwaterbottles #hydration #water

BlueTriton, now rebranded as Primo Brands following its merger with Primo Water ,has announced it will close it bottling plant in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The decision is part of a "public sale process" for the facility, which is set to wind down by the end of January 2025. A spokesperson for the company told Refreshment : “We have initiated a public sale process for our Guelph facility and will wind down our operations in Ontario by the end of January. This was a difficult decision, unrelated to our merger with Primo." "We will continue to serve our customers through this transition period and will continue to have operations in Canada in our Hope facility, which will serve our business in the Western provinces as well as some of our US Pacific Northwest business.” Last year, BlueTriton Brands appointed Joey Bergstein as its chief executive officer .   #BlueTrton #PrimoBrands #PrimoWater #Canada

The Hershey Company has acquired Sour Strips, a fast-growing sour candy brand founded in the US in 2019. Sour Strips' sour confectionery enhances Hershey's presence in the category and expands its reach to new consumers for more snacking occasions – Sour Strips has a large social media following. Founded by social media personality Maxx Chewning, Sour Strips launched with the intention of zhuzhing up the sour candy category with a distinctive product that consists of shocking sour flavours. Under the deal, Chewning will continue to lead marketing and innovation efforts for the brand. Hershey's newly appointed president of US confection, Mike Del Pozzo , said: “The acquisition of Sour Strips expands Hershey's offerings within our growing sweets portfolio with a product that is beloved by consumers. We're energised to welcome Maxx and the Sour Strips team to Hershey as we relentlessly accelerate our growth in sweets.” Sour Strips founder Chewning added: “Our partnership with The Hershey Company represents a significant step in our mission to innovate and set new standards within the confectionery category. Hershey's exceptional track record making iconic brands worldwide aligns perfectly with our vision for Sour Strips. Together with Hershey, our team is excited to continue delivering extraordinary experiences to candy enthusiasts around the globe.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. #SourStrips #Hershey #confectionery #sweets #US

Wonder, a US food delivery platform, has announced the acquisition of Grubhub from Just Eat Takeaway for $650 million. The deal, which includes $500 million in senior notes and $150 million in cash, is expected to close in Q1 2025 pending regulatory approval. Wonder’s acquisition of Grubhub supports its goal of becoming a “super app” for mealtime, combining its own selection of restaurants, meal kits and grocery items with Grubhub’s network of over 375,000 merchants and 200,000 delivery partners across the US. With the integration of Grubhub, Wonder will offer its locations on the Grubhub platform for third-party delivery and bring Grubhub’s restaurants and services directly into the Wonder app. The company raised an additional $250 million in funding from new investors to support this next phase of growth. Founded by entrepreneur Marc Lore, Wonder aims to make quality food more accessible with its "Fast Fine" dining model. Its Multi-Restaurant Ordering feature allows customers to order from up to 30 different restaurants in a single order, with each item prepared to finish at the same time for joint delivery. The platform currently operates 28 locations in the Northeastern US and plans to open seven more by the end of the year. Lore said: "Wonder's acquisition of Grubhub continues our mission to make great food more accessible. As we enhance our customer experience with selection, speed and variety, we're excited to soon offer a curated selection of Grubhub's restaurant partners directly in the Wonder app, alongside our owned and operated restaurants and meal kits. Bringing Wonder and Grubhub together is the next step in our vision to create the super app for meal time, re-envisioning the future of food delivery." Grubhub's CEO, Howard Migdal, added: "I am incredibly excited for Grubhub to join forces with Wonder and bring more value to our diners, merchants and delivery partners. Since our earliest days, Grubhub has helped restaurants open their doors to new customers, while introducing diners to new cuisines. That's why I'm confident that Grubhub will complement Wonder's mission to make great food more accessible and that together we will create remarkable dining experiences for more customers across the country." #Wonder #Grubhub #JustEatTakeaway #US #fooddeliveryWonder, a US food delivery platform, has announced the acquisition of Grubhub from Just Eat Takeaway for $650 million. The deal, which includes $500 million in senior notes and $150 million in cash, is expected to close in Q1 2025 pending regulatory approval. Wonder’s acquisition of Grubhub supports its goal of becoming a “super app” for mealtime, combining its own selection of restaurants, meal kits and grocery items with Grubhub’s network of over 375,000 merchants and 200,000 delivery partners across the US. With the integration of Grubhub, Wonder will offer its locations on the Grubhub platform for third-party delivery and bring Grubhub’s restaurants and services directly into the Wonder app. The company raised an additional $250 million in funding from new investors to support this next phase of growth. Founded by entrepreneur Marc Lore, Wonder aims to make quality food more accessible with its "Fast Fine" dining model. Its Multi-Restaurant Ordering feature allows customers to order from up to 30 different restaurants in a single order, with each item prepared to finish at the same time for joint delivery. The platform currently operates 28 locations in the Northeastern US and plans to open seven more by the end of the year. Lore said: "Wonder's acquisition of Grubhub continues our mission to make great food more accessible. As we enhance our customer experience with selection, speed and variety, we're excited to soon offer a curated selection of Grubhub's restaurant partners directly in the Wonder app, alongside our owned and operated restaurants and meal kits. Bringing Wonder and Grubhub together is the next step in our vision to create the super app for meal time, re-envisioning the future of food delivery." Grubhub's CEO, Howard Migdal, added: "I am incredibly excited for Grubhub to join forces with Wonder and bring more value to our diners, merchants and delivery partners. Since our earliest days, Grubhub has helped restaurants open their doors to new customers, while introducing diners to new cuisines. That's why I'm confident that Grubhub will complement Wonder's mission to make great food more accessible and that together we will create remarkable dining experiences for more customers across the country." #Wonder #Grubhub #JustEatTakeaway #US #fooddelivery

Pact Coffee is launching a V60 drip filter brewing kit in Waitrose, made in collaboration with Japanese manufacturer Hario. The kit includes a heat-proof plastic, a measuring scoop and 40 paper filters. Pact’s director of growth, Sophie Sheach, said: “The V60 is synonymous with Pact Coffee. It’s easy to use, takes just a minute more than instant coffee and gets the very best flavours from top-quality coffee." "For this reason, it’s a fantastic way for customers to take their first steps into speciality coffee and notice the huge jump up in quality. By extension, we’ve seen a significant amount of our subscribers gifting it to loved ones." The V60 drip filter will be available in 242 stores from Sunday 17 November for a retail price of £8.80, rising to £11 from 2 January 2025. For insights on how ethical sourcing and speciality coffee are shaping the industry, read Pact Coffee's recent piece on the topic here . #PactCoffee #UK #brewingkit

Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE) has announced enhanced actions to strengthen sustainability efforts under the EU Code of Conduct for Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices. This move includes refined actions on water stewardship, biodiversity restoration, decarbonisation and packaging circularity across its 500 member companies. The updated goals include measurable biodiversity indicators by 2030, decarbonisation targets for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040 (towards net zero by 2050), 50% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2030 and an expanded approach to water management. Alessandro Pasquale, president of NMWE, said: “Our new aspirations build on the progress we’ve made and the knowledge we’ve acquired since signing the Code in 2021. While the scope of some commitments is expanding—particularly in the field of sustainable water management – the focus is on deepening our actions and providing support to our members, giving us a longer-term action plan rather than just a step ahead.” Key actions include: Sustainable water management NMWE’s commitment now extends beyond water efficiency to include stewardship at the watershed level. By promoting efficient water use in member operations and supply chains, and addressing water ecosystems and extreme weather, NMWE will help members manage water responsibly, considering its environmental, social and economic value. Biodiversity restoration NMWE said its focus on biodiversity remains central. The new commitments will help members preserve and restore biodiversity around their operations, with measurable outcomes by 2030. Decarbonisation NMWE is committed to net zero by 2050, with interim decarbonisation goals for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2040. Through ongoing guidance, tools and support, NMWE helps members reduce their carbon footprint while ensuring competitiveness in a low-carbon economy. Circular economy The sector remains committed to full packaging circularity, aiming for recyclable packaging by 2025 and 50% alternative materials in new plastic bottles by 2030. NMWE will collaborate with value chain partners to promote deposit refund systems (DRS) and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes to reduce material loss throughout the entire lifecycle. Patricia Fosselard, secretary general of NMWE, commented: “Our renewed commitments are about making our sector’s sustainability journey more robust and time-proof. Through this revamped approach, we will focus on providing for our members, especially SMEs, the tools, guidance and support they need to make a positive and lasting impact in the areas in which they operate. However, to make this possible, multi-stakeholder collaboration and an enabling legislative environment are also important success factors.” Pasquale added: “As we deepen our efforts, NMWE will continue to be a trusted partner in Europe’s sustainability goals, supporting our members every step of the way". #NMWE #associationnews