This week in industry news, Danone revealed its intention to sell its remaining stake in Yakult while Newlat Food submitted a non-binding offer to acquire all the shares of Hovis. Meanwhile, AAK revealed it expects a higher operating profit for Q3 than previously forecasted, and Solina completed the acquisition of Bowman Ingredients. As at-home consumption prevails, Nestlé announced the upcoming line-up of Starbucks Holiday Coffees, which will be available for home coffee systems for the first time.

In brief: Business news
Danone has revealed its intention to sell its remaining 6.61 percent stake in probiotic brand Yakult, headquartered and listed in Japan. In 2018, Danone divested most of its 21.29 percent stake in the company. A further announcement regarding the success of the operation and proceeds received will be made by Danone in weeks ahead. 

Newlat Food has submitted a non-binding offer to acquire all the shares of Hovis to the company shareholders. The proposal was formulated by evaluating the sustainability of the investment in the short, medium and long term, in compliance with the rigorous economic and financial discipline that has characterized its assets. 

AAK expects to report an operating profit for the third quarter of 2020 that is slightly higher than the corresponding quarter last year, well above what was expected at the beginning of the third quarter, and higher than current market expectations. Volumes are still lower than last year’s levels but have continued to improve since the end of May, the company reports. 

British Sugar, the UK’s sole processor of the beet sugar crop, is working with satellite analytics company, Rezatec, to help achieve greater efficiencies in its supply chain and processing factories. The company set out to gain better visibility across catchment areas wher farmers are currently planting sugar beet and visualizing which fields are closest to each factory using a distance-traveled metric.

In brief: Acquisitions
Solina, a European producer of savory ingredient solutions, has completed the acquisition of Bowman Ingredients,a supplier of coating systems to foodservice and retail food processors, with products including breadcrumbs, batters and marinades. For Solina, this acquisition represents a further step in its expansion strategy following the acquisitions of Canadian foodservice business Berthelet and the German company Hagesüd, earlier this year.

Kontali Analyse has completed its acquisition of Seafood TIP, strengthening its position as a player in systemizing the world of fisheries and aquaculture. The purchase is completed with Seafood TIP becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kontali based in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Syngenta has acquired Valagro, a Biologicals company, through its business unit Syngenta Crop Protection. The investment positions Syngenta Crop Protection as one of the vital global companies poised to shape the rapidly growing Biologicals market, set to nearly double in size over the next five years. Valagro will continue to operate as an independent brand in the market within the Syngenta Crop Protection business.

In brief: Appointments and retirements
Jukka Heinänen, chief operating officer of the healthy ingredients unit and operations of the Raisio Group, has resigned from his position. He will continue with Raisio until the end of 2020 and start with a new employer at the beginning of January 2021.

In brief: Plant-based innovations
Spanish plant-based meat brand Heura has launched in the UK, offering its 100 percent plant-based products created in the Mediterranean to UK consumers. The brand is already in the top two most popular plant-based meat brands in Europe. Heura has taken its first step into the British market by launching with two key distributors, The Vegan Kind and Planet Organic. 

The COVID-19 health crisis has also accelerated the shift towards plant-based diets, with one in five UK consumers Britons saying that they have reduced their meat consumption during the pandemic. According to the Vegan Society, almost half of the British population will be flexitarian in the near future.

British plant-based brand Meatless Farm is launching its first made-for-frozen products into the retail market. Available via Ocado, the frozen free-flow mince will retail at £2.60 (US$3.31) for 500 g. The mince uses the same recipe as its fresh mince, including a signature mix of pea, soy and rice protein. Being made available in this format allows retailers to offer a SKU with the same brand recognition. Still, consumers can also use it as a convenience product and reduce wastage, the company notes. 

In brief: Beverage highlights
To mark the start of the festive season, Nestlé has announced the line-up of Starbucks Holiday Coffees and Favorites products, which will roll out on store shelves and be available globally in selec supermarkets and online through the end of the year. The range includes Starbucks Toffee Nut Latte, a rich and buttery flavor profile, and Starbucks Holiday Blend, a balanced and sweet coffee with herbal and maple notes. In total, five seasonal coffees will be available in roast and ground, whole bean coffee, capsules for Nespresso and Nescafé Dolce Gusto systems, as well as premium instant coffee.

SodaStream, the sparkling water brand, has revealed the upcoming launch of bubly drops, marking the first partnership for SodaStream in North America since joining PepsiCo. The collaboration brings the bubly brand’s bright flavors and bold personality to the SodaStream platform, enabling consumers to create their customized beverages at home. bubly drops will officially be available starting January 2021. Still, consumers can get their hands on an early release of the product beginning November 1, as part of a limited edition SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker Kit available online.

In brief: Miscellaneous 
The first shipment of UK beef to the US will be sampled by key influencers and buyers across three states in the US next week, as part of an Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) virtual launch event. AHDB is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain. A group of chefs, butchers and members of the press will be targeted in the first showcase on October 13, with a selec number receiving a cut of sirloin cannon and topside mini beef joints. importers, distributors and wholesalers will also sample the cuts, in a bid to highlight the exceptional taste and quality of UK beef. This first shipment to the US comes after market access for UK beef was granted in March after the extensive government and industry efforts to demonstrate food safety controls during production.