Kitchen appliance brand Cyetus has launched a new espresso machine: Cyetus Cubic – All in One Espresso Machine. Cyetus Cubic Espresso is described as a “versatile, semi-automatic machine” that grinds and extracts coffee, as well as steams milk. The machine provides an LCD display, in which users can choose from a wide range of options, including different shot sizes, duration of grinds and water temperatures. A total of 15 grind settings are available, enabling consumers to select extra fine or coarse grinds. In addition, Cyetus Cubic Espresso features a Hall Pulse Flowmeter that “enables a consistent brew by precisely controlling the water temperature during brewing, while a single-hole steam rod creates a smooth blanket of steamed milk foam, providing a delicate finish to one’s latte,” said the brand. Ralph Chen, vice president and head of brand at Cyetus, said: “Making your preferred cup of coffee should be easy and fuss-free. The LCD display on the Cyetus Cubic Espresso will further simplify the brewing experience, and we believe this will only benefit coffee lovers who appreciate consistent brews from the comfort of their homes.” The Cyetus Cubic Espresso is now available for purchase via the brand’s website and on Amazon for $699. #coffeemachine #Cyetus #US

PepsiCo has announced a new global packaging goal intended to increase beverage servings delivered through reusable models from 10% to 20% by 2030. This latest ambition is part of the company’s business transformation strategy, ‘PepsiCo Positive’. A focus on reuse will also be key to PepsiCo reaching its goals of reducing virgin plastic per serving by 50% by 2030 and becoming net zero by 2040. PepsiCo says it will pursue four approaches to achieve its new packaging goal, including expanding its SodaStream business, building out its refillable plastic (PET) and glass bottle offerings in partnership with PepsiCo bottlers, growing its fountain drinks business with reusable cups and accelerating growth in powders and concentrates. Katharina Stenholm, chief sustainability officer at PepsiCo Europe, said: “Fundamentally transforming the traditional beverage consumption model will require making reusable and refillable options accessible and convenient, at scale, for European consumers – and that’s what we aim to do”. A drive towards reuse is also at the centre of the European Commission’s recently announced proposals for new EU-wide rules to tackle packaging waste. For example, under the plans cafés and restaurants offering takeaway drinks and meals would have to serve a certain percentage of their products in reusable or refillable packaging. Stenholm added: “This is complementing our continuous efforts on scaling recycling. Europe is leading the way in accelerating investment in disruptive technology and innovation to work towards our new packaging goals. Through collaboration with our partners and European institutions, we are committed to creating a viable circular economy for beverage packaging in Europe.” PepsiCo says it will continue working with multiple partners to develop new infrastructure to support reuse and refill models. #PepsiCo #PepsiCoPositive

Coffee machine manufacturer Animo has expanded its OptiBean range with the introduction of OptiBean X. The machine produces freshly ground coffee and brews two cups at a time. OptiBean X features a new X-press brewer, a high-quality grind and brew, and adjustable tamping pressure, as well as dispensing bigger cups. Animo said: “Freshly ground coffee beans deserve to be treated with respect, and that’s all in the extraction: the combination of the amount of coffee, grinding degree, contact pressure, and temperature”. “OptiBean’s new X-press precision brewer perfectly aligns these conditions to match any taste.” #Animo #coffeemachine

Iced tea franchise HTeaO has announced that Dallas-based private equity firms Crux Capital and Trive Capital have acquired a minority stake in its business. The partnership will enable HTeaO to expand into new markets by leveraging Crux and Trive’s collective resources, as well as enabling the company to employ technology to improve the quality of service and enhance customer experience. HTeaO’s CEO, Justin Howe, said: “As we enter our next phase, we are thrilled to partner with Crux and Trive and leverage their significant financial resources and operational expertise. The support and resources of these two firms should enhance our focus on unit-level economics and developing a franchise system at scale.” Financial terms were not disclosed. #CruxCapital #HTeaO #TriveCapital #US

BellRing Brands-owned Premier Nutrition Company has launched a new line of nighttime products under its Premier Protein brand. The brand’s new Good Night range is formulated with a nighttime protein blend, including a milk peptide with relaxing properties. The drinks contain 10g of protein and essential vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and zinc, which the brand says “can have a calming effect on your body”. Premier Protein Good Night is available in RTD Nutrition Shakes and Hot Cocoa Mix formats. In addition to 10g of protein, each shake contains 2g of sugar and 12 vitamins and minerals. The shakes are available in cocoa, caramel and vanilla flavours and can be consumed hot or cold. The Hot Cocoa Mix is formulated with a milk peptide and contains 10g of protein and 11 vitamins and minerals. Designed to support a healthy sleep regimen and prepare for a better day ahead, the new range is available for purchase in Walmart stores. #BellRingBrands #PremierProtein #sleep #US

Coca-Cola-owned beverage brand, Simply, has expanded its portfolio with its first mixer offering, a dual-proposition cocktail/mocktail product line. The line of fruity, natural-flavoured juice beverages is available in Strawberry Guava Mojito, Lime Margarita and Peach Sour varieties. Coca-Cola North America’s creative director, nutrition, Alex Ames, said: “With Simply Mixology, we wanted to find a way to simplify and elevate the at-home drinking experience with great-tasting, natural solutions that are not only amazing mixers, but also stand on their own as ready-to-drink mocktails”. The new range launches into select US retailers on 23 January. #CocaCola #SimplyBeverages #US

Henry Dimbleby MBE, who developed a National Food Strategy for the UK government, will be joining four leading UK directors on the platform at this year’s UK Water Drinks Conference on 22 March in central London, held in partnership with the Natural Source Waters Association. With the theme ‘Planet Positive for a Healthier Future,’ the programme will include sessions on sustainability, health, market trends, innovation and deposit return schemes ahead of the Scottish scheme launch in August. Speakers will join panels to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the natural source waters industry as it seeks to promote public health policies and ensure a sustainable future in which net zero is a firm goal. Dimbleby said: “It is positive to see the natural source waters category bringing the industry together to tackle two critical issues: the health of the nation and the environment. Clearly, more needs to be done to encourage consumers to choose and enjoy healthy food and drink products, and there is an urgent need for continued collaboration across the supply chain to protect the natural environment and tackle climate change.” Dimbleby will be giving the keynote address and chairing the sustainability and health panels. Other speakers confirmed include four directors from Danone Waters, Highland Spring Group, Nestlé Waters UK and Shepley Spring, all members of the Natural Source Waters Association. “We are looking forward to delivering a high-quality and engaging conference. Coinciding appropriately with World Water Day, it is an opportunity for everyone connected with the industry to debate and discuss key initiatives, challenges and opportunities in water drinks,” commented organiser Francesca Hall, events director of Zenith Global, which has specialised in consulting services to water drinks companies for more than 30 years. “This is an important time for the supply chain to come together. The event will provide excellent insights on trends, the fast-moving policy environment and opportunities for market collaboration. As key supporters of the event, our members, who produce the majority of natural source waters sold in the UK, will be sharing their views and expertise, and we look forward to seeing other industry leaders and retail customers there, too,” added Kinvara Carey, general manager of the Natural Source Waters Association. Full programme and booking details are available at www.zenithglobal.com/events, and early discounts are available until 10 February. #UK #Zenith

Milo’s Tea Company has announced plans to invest an initial $130 million to build a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. According to the US-based company, the new facility was chosen after a “multi-year site selection process” and will bring more than 100 jobs to the area. The 110,000-square-foot facility will be Milo’s fourth production plant and it expects to break-ground by mid-March 2023, starting production of its tea and lemonade in late 2024. CEO at Milo’s Tea Company, Tricia Wallwork, said: “South Carolina was the optimal location to efficiently serve our customers up and down the east coast… We immediately felt at home in the Spartanburg area as we received a warm welcome from state and local community partners. South Carolina and Spartanburg County in particular proved to be the right ecosystem to help us advance our people-first culture by offering an excellent standard of living for our associates and robust workforce development resources to drive economic prosperity not only for our people but also for the region.” The expansion into South Carolina supports Milo’s goal of expanding its production of teas and beverages. The company plans to add additional lines of production over the coming years. #expansion #MilosTeaCompany #US

Organic beverage manufacturer The Juice Executive has announced it will acquire cold-pressed juice business Juice 4 Thought. Juice 4 Thought was launched in 2017 by Julia Duobko and delivers its products in glass bottles to London-based establishments. Alexandra Williams, managing director of The Juice Executive, said: “Juice 4 Thought and Juice Executive have well-aligned values around organic product quality and integrity, and this is an exciting opportunity for us to expand into new markets. Given the current environment, consolidation within the fresh production and distribution sector is going to be key for business resilience.” The company’s last acquisition was Radiance Cleanse in 2017 which also sits within the group’s organic portfolio of brands. Doubko will retain her position as owner of The Juice Executive. The acquisition is expected to be completed in February 2023. #Juice4Thought #TheJuiceExecutive

Smart Soda Holdings has announced the launch of its new countertop beverage solution, IoT JuLi Connect. JuLi Connect is said to be developed for commercial use, enabling users to personalise sparkling or still-flavoured alkaline water, soda or tea by setting carbonation levels, flavour combinations and functional nutrition boosts. By using the JuLi Connect system, users can mix and match flavours and functional shots to create endless options of beverages, allowing them to mix up to three flavours or enhancements per single beverage. SmartSoda CEO Lior Shafir said: “All SmartSoda offerings are based on the proven health benefits of alkaline water. That’s only part of why JuLi Connect delivers a great innovative alternative solution to traditional soda for offices, convenience stores and restaurants.” He continued: “Users can customise their drink choices from a portfolio of over 20 delicious all-natural flavours and a range of functional wellness shots that support energy, immunity, relaxation and focus. And easy-to-use tech-enabled management tools that support installation, maintenance and servicing support – all from a smartphone app supported by a full dashboard and connectivity.” SmartSoda co-founder and Chairman Julia Solooki added: “The real benefit of our JuLi Connect system is that it not only offers a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional sodas, but it can also represent a real cost-savings for our commercial customers. It’s a better value by far than other comparable dispensers. And it’s certainly more affordable and environmentally friendly than stocking bottled and canned beverages. In fact, the JuLi Connect contributes to our corporate goal of reducing the use of 2.3 billion plastic bottles by 2027.” #beveragedispenser #SmartSoda

A new functional soda brand, Fibe, has launched into the UK market, designed primarily to support digestive health with added prebiotic fibres. The non-HFSS beverages are available in three flavours: orange, fruit punch and lemonade, each containing five grams of plant-based prebiotic fibre as well as calcium and vitamin C, designed to improve gut and immune health. The 30-calorie cans are aimed to offer soda drinkers an accessible ‘gateway drink’ that looks and tastes like traditional soda while benefitting the body. Freya Twigden, Fibe’s founder, said: “The idea is simple, we’ve taken flavours that consumers know and love, and created a better version – one that not only tastes familiar but also boasts considerable gut-health benefits. There are no empty calories, no artificial sweeteners, just classic soda flavours with all natural ingredients, plus the added benefit of 5g of fibre to support digestive health.” She added: “The aim is to create an accessible range that gives us the opportunity to bring classic soda drinkers into the functional category as well as appeal to lapsed soda drinkers, looking for a healthier option…We believe by combining two trends, gut health and functional beverages, Fibe offers retailers a clear opportunity to add incremental sales and is set to further disrupt the category.” The beverages are available in Planet Organic stores nationwide as well as independent retailers for an RRP of £1.50 per can. #Fibe #functionalbeverage #prebioticfibres #UK

Westrock Coffee Company has acquired US-based speciality-grade roaster Bixby Roasting. In order to capitalise on shifting consumer consumption trends, the deal – which includes Bixby’s roasting facility in Los Angeles, California – will enhance Westrock Coffee’s omnichannel product marketing and development capabilities. Founded in 2017, Bixby roasts and ships fresh premium coffee direct to consumers’ doors via its subscription service. Bixby is also known in the emerging influencer-led brand space. Bixby co-founders, Miles Fisher and Remington Hotchkis, will both join the Westrock Coffee senior management team – Fisher will serve as senior vice president of sales while Hotchkis will be named vice president of sales. Elizabeth McLaughlin, executive vice president of sales at Westrock Coffee, said: “The emergence of influencer-led brands has created a new sales channel in the beverage business, and Bixby is at the forefront of its development. Miles and Remington bring a depth of knowledge on these emerging channels that we are adding to the Westrock Coffee portfolio, including the co-creation of new influencer brands that are particularly appealing to young consumers.” Fisher added: “Remington and I are thrilled to take our careers and company to the next level by joining forces with Westrock Coffee. [CEO and co-founder] Scott and his team continue to grow with their impressive customer base and look to serve their customers not only through traditional private brand offerings but also through the creation of products for specific customer segments and influencer-based brands. “With the resources and momentum that Westrock Coffee brings, we are ready to get to work and fuel the product development and ecommerce offerings of the company.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. #BixbyRoasting #US #WestrockCoffeeCompany