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September 2025 EXPERT INSIGHT: Can South Africa lead PET recycling in an era of broken promises? VEGA powers hygiene and precision in food processing FROM DENSITY TO POLARITY – Analytical tools will drive the future of quality control Meet SipScape – IFF’s new interactive platform inspiring adult beverage innovationThe world was promised a turning point. By 2024, governments pledged to deliver a binding global treaty on plastics—one that would address the crisis from start to finish, from design and production through to waste management and recycling. But as we sit in mid-2025, that promise has fractured. Talks in Geneva collapsed under the weight of petrochemical interests, with producing nations rejecting mandatory production limits and settling instead for voluntary measures. The result? Plastic production is projected to reach an astonishing 1.2 billion tonnes by 2060, while less than 10% of plastic today is recycled. Recycling is left carrying the blame for a crisis it did not cause—expected to fix the system, yet too often denied the support it needs to thrive. This is the broken promise of the plastics age. And it is precisely why the work of South Africa’s recycling pioneers has never been more urgent. Extrupet stands as proof that with vision, investment, and commitment, plastics recycling can succeed—even against the odds. But without bold and decisive policy, even the strongest champions risk being drowned in the tide of cheap virgin plastics and global inaction. In this issue, Food & Beverage Reporter speaks with Chandru Wadhwani of Extrupet, who shares powerful insights on why plastics recycling must remain at the forefront of the environmental agenda. His words are both a warning and a call to action: if global leaders have faltered, then it is up to industry, innovators, and nations like ours to show that change is not only possible—it is essential. This month, we also celebrate another powerful force shaping the sector: women. As part of Women’s Month, the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) profiled three remarkable leaders—brewer Megan Gemel , township distributor Pulane Koster, and Heineken South Africa Quality Manager Makgosi Booysen —who are challenging stereotypes and reshaping what leadership in the food and beverage industry looks like. Equally, innovation continues to redefine what excellence means in production. In an era where food and beverage producers are under relentless pressure to deliver both quality and efficiency, precision analytical tools have become indispensable. Anton Paar’s latest DMA series, anchored in innovation and robust design, sets a new global standard in density and concentration measurement—empowering producers to achieve accuracy, consistency, and confidence in every batch. At the same time, the industry is being reshaped in laboratories, where the future of food takes its earliest form. Lab-scale food processing plays a central role in R&D, allowing researchers to test new formulations, refine processes, and push the boundaries of product development long before innovations reach commercial scale. In a market driven by changing consumer demands, this work is critical to keeping the food and beverage sector agile, responsive, and competitive. To see how VEGA is meeting this challenge, click here. From tackling plastic pollution, to breaking barriers in leadership, to driving innovation in both production and R&D, this issue is a reminder that progress is never built on promises alone. It is built by people, by pioneers, and by technologies bold enough to move the industry forward. Simon From the editor f od beverage REPORTER Editor Simon Foulds WhatsApp +447840535794 editor@fbreporter.co.za Advertising Wendy Breakey wendy@fbreporter.co.za 083 653 8116 Design & Layout Jane Prinsloo Contributors Dr Monica Maria Samantha Choles Dr Stefan Hayward Molisa Cheda Published by Food & Beverage Reporter 47 Tugela Terrace Jacaranda Street Linden Ext 2195 www.fbreporter.co.za Endorsed by the SA Association of the Flavour &Fragrance Industry. Endorsed by SAAFoST04 Industry News Anuga showcases global sustainability trends RCL lifts revenue despite headwinds The cold chain at the heart of food security A record Canola harvest for SA Meet our new Boerewors Champion Stellenbosch dominates Chenin Blanc Top Ten 09 New Products Get a fresh spin on salad with Hinds Functional coffee? Meet Nespresso’s new range A limited drop for STROH 80 Celebrate summer with Savannah’s new 500 ml can Durbanville unveils new historic Pinotager 12 Food Safety VEGA powers hygiene and precision in culinary labs 16 Laboratory & Testing Synercore goes beyond the matrix From density to polarity: integrating precision for faster food and beverage quality control 22 Ingredients Human milk probiotics are shaping infant and maternal health 24 Beverage Innovation IFF launches interactive platform to inspire beverage innovation Challenging global Goliaths KHS redefines low level filling fbr Contentsfbr Contents 37 Packaging REPORTER Can South Africa lead PET recycling in an era of broken promises? f od beverage REPORTER • Auditing & Hygiene • Shelf Life • Software & Cybersecurity • Processing Technology • Food Safety • Instrumentation • AI in Packaging Highlight your brand in Food & Beverage Reporter’s October features Editorial and advertising deadline 6 October 2025 Contact: editor@fbreporter.co.za 28 Legislation Does SA have the skills to back up water sector investment? Is your label legal? 32 Waste Management Innovative sludge management that deliver real results 33 Women in Beer Breaking barriers – the women redefining South Africa’s beer industry 35 Event Showcasing the power of partnerships4 September 2025 | Food & Beverage Reporter www.fbreporter.co.za fbr Industry News Anuga Organic 2025 to showcase global sustainability trends Anuga Organic 2025 will once again serve as a global hub for the organic food sector, spotlighting sustainability, transparency, and innovative product development. The trade fair, running from 4 to 8 October in Cologne, Germany, will present a diverse range of organic products including regional specialties, fairly traded goods, and vegan foods – a key growth driver. According to knowledge partner Innova Market Insights, nearly 60% of all new global organic launches come from Western Europe, followed by North America (16%). The fastest-growing markets are Eastern Europe (+17%) and Africa (+14%). Categories in highest demand include baby and toddler food (16% market share), sauces and spices (10%) and bakery products (9%). Globally, 43% of consumers said organic certification strongly influenced their purchasing decisions, with combined claims such as “organic and vegan,” “organic and gluten-free,” and “organic and additive-free” proving especially popular. The event offers both producers and exporters extensive opportunities to tap into rising global demand for sustainable and ethically produced foods. RCL Foods lifts revenue, earnings despite sugar headwinds South African food producer RCL Foods (JSE: RCL) has posted a 28.5% rise in full-year revenue for 2025, with stronger performances in its groceries and baking units offsetting weakness in sugar. Headline earnings per share (HEPS) from continuing operations rose to 156.3 cents for the year ended June, while group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) advanced 11.4% to R2.6 billion (US$148 million), supported by cost-saving initiatives. On an underlying basis, excluding once-off items, EBITDA from continuing operations was up 7.9% year-on-year to R2.39 billion. Group revenue grew 1.8% to R26.5 billion (US$1.5 billion), with groceries and baking the primary drivers. Groceries revenue gained 1.8%, aided by a stronger product mix in pet food and a focus on premium brands. Baking revenue also rose 1.8%, with bread, buns and rolls contributing to a 55% jump in EBITDA and modest volume growth of 1.3%. By contrast, the sugar business faced a tougher second half, as imports surged and consumer demand softened. EBITDA in sugar declined 22% to R1.09 billion (US$61.5 million), with underlying earnings down 24% to R963 million (US$54.3 million). CEO Paul Cruickshank said the group remained committed to organic growth through innovation while being open to strategic acquisitions. He warned that consumer demand would likely stay muted despite easing inflation, while sugar markets continued to face global and local pricing pressure.6 September 2025 | Food & Beverage Reporter www.fbreporter.co.za fbr Industry News The two-day conference drew 120 industry leaders to discuss themes including smart technologies, trade and investment, and energy resilience in temperature- controlled supply chains. Cold chain ‘at the heart of Africa’s food security,’ says Minister Steenhuisen South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has called for urgent investment in Africa’s cold chain infrastructure, describing it as “the artery through which Africa’s food system flows.” Speaking at the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) Africa Conference in Durban on 21 August, Steenhuisen stressed that robust cold chains were critical to reducing food waste, creating jobs, and improving competitiveness in global markets. “Without it, farmers lose, consumers suffer, and economies falter. With it, we can feed more people, create more jobs, and compete more confidently on the world stage,” he told delegates. The minister highlighted rural areas as a key priority, noting that cold chain access could transform subsistence farmers into market-linked producers. “This is not charity. This is smart economics. Rural cold chain access is rural development in action,” he said. Paul Matthew, GCCA Director for Africa, welcomed the remarks, saying they reinforced the alliance’s ongoing advocacy for stronger temperature-controlled logistics on the continent. South Africa is on track to deliver its largest canola crop on record this year, with yields expected to climb 10–15% above last year’s historic high. The Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa confirmed that favourable weather conditions – including cooler temperatures and steady rainfall – have paved the way for another bumper season, with harvesting set for October and November. “This harvest is more than just a record – it’s a sign of the sector’s resilience, sustainability, and potential,” said Morne Botes, Commercial Director at Southern Oil. Canola seeds, which yield 42–44% oil and 56% protein meal, supply both the food retail and animal feed industries. Refined oil is used in cooking oils, sauces and dressings, while the protein meal is an important component in dairy and poultry feed. Botes noted that investments in high-efficiency crushers had given local processors a competitive edge, reducing waste and strengthening South Africa’s agri-processing footprint globally. Beyond its economic value, canola also supports sustainable farming through crop rotation, soil enrichment, and zero-waste processing, making it a cornerstone of circular agriculture. With rising demand for traceable and locally produced ingredients, the crop is increasingly central to South Africa’s agricultural strategy. “Canola is not only delivering record yields, but also reshaping the future of South African farming,” Botes said. South Africa set for record-breaking canola harvestfbr Industry News Paarl’s Roberto Agrela crowned SA’s new Boerewors Champion South Africa has a new boerewors king. Roberto-Rui Agrela, a 33-year-old car salesman from Paarl, took the top spot at the 33rd Shoprite and Checkers Championship Boerewors finale in Cape Town on 23 August. Agrela beat more than 2,350 entrants to claim the title, impressing judges from the South African Chefs Association with his recipe and braaing skills. “It was my first time entering, and I never thought my passion for braai would bring me here,” he said. “It just shows you need to stay true to yourself, keep believing, and always stay humble.” Along with the bragging rights, Agrela drove away in a Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB AT and R20,000 in cash. Second place went to Roland Blaauw (47) from Wellington, while third place was claimed by Ladysmith entrepreneur Asheel Beharie (40), highlighting the diversity of this year’s finalists. The annual competition remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s culinary calendar, celebrating the nation’s favourite flame-grilled delicacy.Next >