Prebiotic soda brand Living Things has been launched, with an emphasis on gut-friendly ingredients and a commitment to environmental sustainability. Developed and manufactured in the UK, Living Things is carbon negative and packed in fully recyclable cans. The range of lightly sparkling drinks has low sugar, high fibre and prebiotics, delivering two billion live cultures per can without compromising on taste. The initial release features three flavours: Raspberry & Pomegranate, Peach & Blood Orange and Lemon & Ginger. These all-natural beverages have no added sugar, with less than 1.7g of naturally occurring sugar and just 13kcal per 100ml, as well as being free from sweeteners. Ben Vear, CEO and co-founder of Living Things said: “Tasting good and doing good don’t have to be in conflict, more than ever the consumer isn’t looking for another sugar-filled soft drink but for solutions that don’t just taste great but also pack health benefits and environmental credentials. With Living Things, we’re creating a new class of soft drink that finally does all three” The brand will be available for purchase initially from independent cafes and retailers and online with an early 2024 national roll-out set to be announced soon.

Suntory Holdings has made a multi-million-dollar investment in US "beanless coffee" start-up Atomo Coffee. Founded in 2019, Atomo is the "world's first" molecular coffee – a bean-free, sustainable alternative to traditional coffee. The company's upcycled brew aims to provide a more environmentally friendly coffee option, reducing the need for further deforestation caused by commercial coffee farming. According to Suntory, Atomo is changing the coffee landscape "with its unique beanless espresso". It replicates traditional coffee's molecular structure and sourcing using eco-friendly superfoods and upcycled ingredients such as date seeds, lemon and sunflower seeds. The result is a smooth, low-acid coffee with rich antioxidants that delivers the same caffeine kick for coffee drinkers. Andy Kleitsch, CEO of Atomo Coffee, said: “This investment will enable us to continue our mission to create the best-tasting coffee that’s best for the planet. It reflects our goal of reimagining the coffee industry to be both enjoyable and environmentally friendly. We’re excited about introducing our coffee experience to consumers worldwide." Mikio Aoki, general manager of future business development department at Suntory Holdings Limited, added: "Our investment in Atomo Coffee is part of our strategy to support innovation in the beverage industry, ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable coffee experience".

From 28-30 November, BrauBeviale opened its doors at the Nuremberg Messe in Germany to over 900 exhibiting companies from over 120 countries after a four-year hiatus, marking it as one of the industry’s largest and key trade fairs. BrauBeviale specialises in the beverage industry – with a large focus on alcoholic beverages such as beer and spirits – covering aspects from ingredients to packaging. Throughout the nine halls, companies showcased their innovations, shared ideas and cultivated contacts across the industry. Rolf Keller, managing director of organiser Yontex, said: “With strong visitor demand from all sectors of the beverage industry, our three-day show once again scored highly: The technical exchanges between experts, the wide range of exhibitors and the specialist topics addressed in the supporting programme were extremely well received by visitors.” During the three-day event, FoodBev spoke to several key players such as Krones, KHS, Symrise, Ardagh and more, learning about the latest innovations in ingredients and technologies while also exploring sustainability and the future of the beverages sector. One area that stirred up a lot of discussion and focus is PET (polyethylene terephthalate), with multiple companies showcasing their innovations in production and packaging. PET packaging company Petainer showcased its latest innovations in refillable PET bottles, as well as plastic wine bottles, which replicate the look of glass while significantly reducing the carbon footprint of production and transport costs. On the other hand, companies such as Vetropack were focusing on reducing PET usage by making glass packaging more sustainable. Vetropack has been achieving this through reducing energy consumption and the creation of lightweight tempered glass which can be more effectively reused and recycled. For ingredients, hops had a high presence which is to be expected given the importance of hops in the brewing process. However, malts were notably present with companies such as Viking Malt and Boortmalt showcasing how they leverage malts to create superior flavours in various types of beer such as micro-IPAs, Doppelbocks, golden ales and many more. Innovative technologies were presented throughout the event in all sectors, with companies that focus on packaging and filling, like KHS, which showcased its latest breakthroughs in energy-efficient keg filling and PET production. Automation was a hot topic in this year’s trade fair, not just automation in production but also in serving. Beermate presented its “Bar of the Future” self-service machine, designed to reduce wait times and effectively end queuing for drinks at high-attendance events such as festivals, concerts and sports events. The consumer inputs the quantity of drinks they want, and the machine automatically pours and serves the selection. The machine can be filled with kegs from various lager brands, and Beermate is working on how to fit ale kegs. Another innovation could be found with O-I Glass, which has developed a method of printing fully customisable images directly onto glass bottles, removing the need for hard-to-recycle plastic labels. The images that are printed peel away in heat so the bottles can be reused. Of course, it was not just established companies at the event. BrauBeviale had a focus on the future with the new Young Talents Camp, which got off to an equally promising start. The new networking lounge concept aimed at attracting young Gen Z talent to all areas and levels of the beverage industry was a complete success. Andrea Kalrait, BrauBeviale’s executive director, highlighted: “We had excellent responses to this offer. I can already say that we will be stepping up our activities in this interdisciplinary area for the benefit of the whole industry.” Given the high turnover of students, both visiting and exhibiting, the Young Talent’s Camp was highly popular, containing a sociable area where young people could gather, have relaxed meetings and play popular drinking games. The winners of the 21st World Beverage Innovation Awards were announced in a grand ceremony at Brau Beviale, with awards for ingredients, technology, innovation and beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. FoodBev’s Dan Bunt hosted the ceremony and congratulated this year’s winners: “Congratulations to all of this year’s shortlisted companies. We have seen an incredible selection of new and innovative products, particularly in the technology and manufacturing sectors.” After a four-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions and last year’s Drinktec fair, BrauBeviale has been welcomed back by the industry with open arms. Caroline Pötzl, managing director of Kieselmann, commented: “In addition to holding interesting discussions with trade visitors, it is the moments of reunion with long-standing customers, business partners and friends that make this trade fair a complete success. It somehow feels like a big family reunion. We are already looking forward to meeting everyone again at BrauBeviale 2024.”

Bosch Home Appliances has announced the launch of a new countertop fully automatic espresso machine. The new 800 Series fully automatic espresso machine is said to offer a wide range of beverage options from freshly ground beans. The unit features the Aroma Max System, which combines four innovations for consistent coffee quality. These include: Long lasting ceramic grinder developed by Bosch, a smart water pump for full-bodied flavours, an intelligent flow heater for optimising brewing temperature and a high-tech brewing unit for a unique coffee aroma. The machine also includes the Active Select Display, a user-friendly 5-inch touchscreen display and control panel for easy coffee preparation, offering control over milk settings, size and aroma. Hannah Kühner, head of consumer products region North America at Bosch, said: “This product is a testament to our profound understanding of consumer needs and our commitment to state-of-the-art technology for the home. We can’t wait to introduce the complete Bosch line-up to consumers in 2024.”

Culligan-owned Quench has announced the acquisition of Neighbors Coffee. Founded in 1985, Neighbors Coffee is an office coffee supplier and service provider in West Park, Florida. The acquisition highlights the growing role of coffee in the company’s portfolio and supports its “goal of providing commercial customers with the broadest array of premium point-of-use offerings,” said Ryan Hartley, VP of corporate development for Quench. David Santana, owner of Neighbors Coffee, added: “Quench is the benchmark when it comes to customer service. When the time came to pass our legacy on, Quench was the natural choice.” “With its unparalleled product line that also includes water coolers, ice machines and sparkling water dispensers, Quench is uniquely equipped to support the many breakroom needs of our customers.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Aquatech 2023 – the largest trade exhibition for the global water technology industry – took place from 6-9 November in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The event attracted hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors from across the globe, marking it as a significant gathering for the industry. Aquatech provides a comprehensive platform for professionals in the water sector to showcase innovations, exchange knowledge and network. Taking place at the RAI convention centre, the event provided a chance to engage with a wide range of industry leaders and professionals, including Blupura, Zerica, Cosmetal, Xylem, Oasis, Caware, Canaletas and many more. During the show, Refreshment witnessed a diverse array of innovations. From technologies to sustainable practices, the exhibition showcased a broad spectrum of advancements in the industry. Technologies ranged from digital solutions to water treatment methods. The exhibitors presented innovative approaches to address challenges, emphasising efficiency, sustainability and real-time monitoring. UV and filtration systems were a focal area, reflecting the industry’s commitment to advancing water purification technologies. Blupura, for instance, showcased its first line of filter cartridges, Blutron. Meanwhile, Taiwanese water filter solution, Caware, presented its line of single-cartridge coffee filters – such as RM- 17BWM and RL- 17BWM. Silanna UV, an Australian company specialising in the manufacture of advanced semiconductors, demonstrated its SF1 series of UV LEDs. These UV LEDs are ideal for water purity applications such as nitrate detection, organic compound detection, disinfection and HPLC chromatography. AquiSense Technologies featured its UV-C LED water disinfection system range – the PearlAqua Micro. Furthermore, in the realm of water dispensers, Canaletas presented its hands-free drinking fountain for bottle filling, the A-88 2PE water fountain, equipped with separate pedals for cold, room temperature and mixed water. Blupura also showcased its latest water dispenser release, Rebel, capable of dispensing 30 litres per hour with options for extremely hot and cold water. The event highlighted evolving consumer preferences in hydration. As many people dislike consuming plain water, flavoured water has become a significant focus in recent years. At the trade show, Switzerland-based company Lang presented a machine that not only filters tap water but also replicates the taste and benefits of natural Alpine mineral water. The machine comes with cartridges offering flavoured water options, using natural extracts to produce beverages like tea and flavoured cold drinks. Amid these innovations, the exhibition provided valuable insights into the latest water industry developments, showcasing collaborative efforts towards a more resilient and sustainable water future. #Amsterdam #Aquatech

Trieste Coffee Experts is an event organised by Bazzara, a historic family-run roastery located in Trieste, which – through discussions between the leading experts of the Italian and international coffee scene – aims to promote networking activities and create new tools and strategies for the dissemination of quality coffee culture through an analysis of its future. Since its first successful edition in 2014, this summit has taken place every two years in one of the symbolic cities of coffee: Trieste, which, thanks to its long history rich in literature, traditions and a conspicuous coffee sector of great excellence, is considered the “Italian city of coffee”. The event takes place over two days and features speeches and discussions in the wonderful spaces offered by the Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel – Starhotels Collection, which allows all speakers and guests to savour the charm of this border city, crossroads and meeting point of people and cultures. The Trieste Coffee Experts was born from a deep need for space and discussion opportunities for the sector operators to talk about the present and the future of coffee. The summit was therefore created to open a dialogue by bringing together the greatest personalities of the sector and of the Italian and international coffee scene to overcome the challenges of the future.

Sips & Bites, Doritos and PepsiCo’s in-house agency, has unveiled ‘Doritos Silent,’ the “world’s first” AI-augmented snack – powered by ‘Crunch Cancellation’. The technology cancels the sound of the crisps’ crunch for gamers in real time as they game with each other, solving what Doritos says is a genuine consumer tension. Snacking and gaming are synonymous, with 86% of gamers claiming to snack while playing. Doritos research has uncovered that gamers are put off by the sound of other players snacking, with a third of gamers claiming the sound of someone snacking frustrates them when playing and one in five gamers saying the sound makes them want to log off, with crisps identified as the most noisy.

FoodBev spoke to Watercoolers Europe’s (WE) chair Marzia Mariotti who highlighted the evolving trends and innovations in the water cooler industry, ahead of next week’s event in Vienna. What’s trending in the water cooler industry at the moment? The water cooler industry is shifting towards using more sustainable materials and technologies. This includes the use of biodegradable cups, mains-connected dispensers that reduce the use of plastic bottles and energy-efficient cooling technologies. Health and wellness aspects, such as touchless dispensers and water purification technologies, are also gaining importance. Have you witnessed any particularly exciting innovations in the water cooler industry recently? Innovations in the water cooler industry often focus on sustainability and convenience. For example, some companies are working on Internet of Things-enabled chillers that monitor water usage and quality, making it easier for companies to efficiently manage their water dispensers. Additionally, there have been developments in water purification technology that provide cleaner and safer drinking water. Why are events such as WE important? Events like WE’s Conference and Trade Fair are significant because they bring together water industry experts, companies and stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities. These events provide a platform for knowledge sharing, networking and showcasing new technologies and solutions for the watercooler market. They are also important moments because the working committees – which are the beating heart of the association – meet because the strategies for the market are developed at their tables. It is, in fact, important to underline that the association plays a crucial role in the control of European legislation on water from which all associations of individual nations can benefit. What more can companies in the water cooler industry do to enhance their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities? Companies in the water cooler industry can enhance their ESG activities by implementing water and energy-efficient technologies, reducing plastic waste and sourcing sustainable materials. Moreover, promoting social responsibility, as supporting local communities, fostering diversity and inclusion in their workforce and ensuring safe working conditions. What’s next for the industry? I think the water cooler industry will continue to evolve towards sustainability and innovation and I expect to see more advanced water filtration systems, eco-friendly materials and the integration of smart technologies into water coolers. Additionally, as environmental concerns increase, the industry may shift toward more responsible sourcing and waste reduction practices. Public awareness of the importance of clean water and the impact of plastic waste will likely continue to drive industry changes.

Blupura has announced the launch of its first line of filter cartridges, named Blutron. The product line is said to be the result of Blupura’s commitment to providing high-quality drinking water through uncompromising choices in materials and components. According to Blupura, the name Blutron “is not just onomatopoeic but also evokes the power and effectiveness” of this new product range. The range includes five different types of filters: Shield, which removes chlorine, taste and odour using a 0.5-micron carbon block cartridge with silver ions; Ultra, suitable for places like schools and hospitals, with ultrafiltration at 0.1 microns with silver ions to block bacteria; Ionic, good for reducing water hardness and preventing limescale build-up, especially in hot water systems. Micro, a 0.5-micron carbon block cartridge system with bacteriostatic filtration system; and Block, a pre-filter used in installations where the network water has many residues or upstream of a reverse osmosis filtration, with clarifying action. All Blutron filters are exclusively manufactured in Italy. The production process includes thorough assessments of organoleptic, microscopic and performance controls. In addition, every single component is traceable and subjected to specific structured tests. Blutron is produced using vegetable-activated carbons sourced solely from Europe. Blutron cartridges can be housed directly within the water dispenser or externally, making assembly and replacement procedures “simple and quick”.

This year's BrauBeviale is taking place from 28-30 November in Nuremberg, Germany, offering solutions for beverage production and marketing across nine halls. More than 900 exhibitors from the brewing and beverage industry will showcase their products. The event has a special focus on products for filling and packaging, with 221 exhibitors registered with their portfolio of filling and packaging technology. In addition, another 160 exhibitors focus on packaging, closure materials, labelling and packaging aids. This corresponds to the strong visitor interest – around 33 % of all visitors come to Nuremberg to find out about filling and packaging technology. All information is available in the exhibitor database here. Exhibitors can use the database to select companies according to specific requirements. BrauBeviale has long been a social event for the industry including a supporting programme, focusing on current developments in the European beverage market: Forum BrauBeviale in Hall 1 – presentations and discussion rounds on topics such as the technical focus on nitrogen production or CO2 recovery or in the focus on raw material supply and raw material availability Logistics Lounge in Hall 4 – with detailed analyses on the current topics of the logistics chain Expert Forum – with news and presentations by exhibitors Special Show "Design" in Hall 4A – with a daily design tour 'brau@home' – meeting place for all homebrewing specialists in Hall 6 Joint pavilion "Innovation made in Germany" in Hall 6 Special exhibition grape processing and cellar management including a wine tasting area in Hall 4A The wide-ranging supporting programme is free of charge for all visitors. Find out more here.

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has appointed former Mondelēz International executive Tim Cofer as its new chief operating officer, with plans for Cofer to succeed current CEO Bob Gamgort in the second quarter of 2024. Cofer, who will join KDP on 6 November, will work closely with Gamgort while in the capacity of COO. Following the transition, Gamgort will assume the role of executive chairman. Cofer has over 30 years of multinational expertise, and currently serves as CEO of Central Garden and Pet Company. Prior to joining Central in 2019, Cofer spent over 25 years with Mondelēz and its predecessor company, Kraft Foods. During this time, he held various executive roles with responsibility across a wide range of product categories, including coffee, chocolate and packaged food. Gamgort said: “Tim is the ideal person to lead KDP in its next chapter. With his background as a successful public company CEO and a veteran CPG executive, Tim steps into this role with the experience and capabilities that will propel KDP’s growth journey. I’m fully committed, as is our entire ELT, to supporting Tim as he prepares to assume the CEO role. When the transition occurs, I will lead the board of directors as executive chairman.” KDP’s lead independent director, Paul Michaels, commented: “The process the board took in evaluating KDP’s next CEO was thoughtful and comprehensive, including the consideration of internal and external candidates. We are confident that Tim’s extensive CPG experience and growth-oriented leadership will make him a very strong next CEO of KDP.”