INDUSTRY NEWS Capol has acquired Blue Pacific Flavors


Blue Pacific Flavors, a pioneer in natural and organic flavor systems, has been acquired by Capol, a company of the Freudenberg Group, effective September 1, 2025. The acquisition unites expertise across


beverage, confectionery, and coatings, positioning the Capol group to offer global food manufacturers a comprehensive range of flavor innovation and surface treatments while expanding service and supply throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. “This is an exciting new chapter for


Blue Pacific,” said Donald Wilkes, CEO of Blue Pacific Flavors. “Our Farm to Flavor story will now be amplified through world- class infrastructure and global reach. Together with Capol, we can deliver greater innovation, faster speed to market, and enhanced value for our customers — while staying true to our roots in


clean-label, natural flavor development. This partnership also expands our manufacturing footprint into Europe, giving customers more flexibility, supply security, and global scale.” Founded in 1993 and headquartered in


California, Blue Pacific Flavors has built a reputation for agility, customer-centricity, and clean-label innovation, particularly in beverages and wellness. Customers will continue working with their trusted teams, now supported by expanded global resources. “The integration of Blue Pacific Flavors


marks a pivotal moment in building a truly global food ingredients platform,” said Peter Hantl, CEO of Capol. “Together, we will deliver broader, faster, and more sustainable solutions worldwide.” Capol, based in Elmshorn, Germany, is a global leader in confectionery coatings and


Hames Chocolates introduces cocoa-free alternative ChoViva


Hames Chocolates, the Lincolnshire-based chocolatier and private label supplier since 2005, is expanding its range with ChoViva – a cocoa-free ingredient that replicates the indulgence of chocolate. Available from September,


ChoViva offers retailers a sustainable alternative as cocoa supply chains face scrutiny over deforestation, child labour, and price volatility.


Made from sunflower seeds via an innovative


fermentation-like process, ChoViva delivers a silky texture and deep chocolatey flavour with a lower environmental footprint. Highly versatile, it performs well across


formats from seasonal eggs to biscuit-packed snacks, excelling in products with fillings and inclusions. “ChoViva is more than a cocoa substitute – it’s a way to future-proof ranges while meeting demand for climate-conscious indulgence,” said Carol Oldbury, CEO. Products featuring ChoViva will carry co-


branding to signal innovation and sustainability. Minimum order quantity is 250–500kg, with deliveries from September. Retailers can contact sales@hameschocolates.co.uk for details.


6 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025


food ingredient solutions. This acquisition follows Capol’s July 2025 purchase of Curt Georgi, a 150-year-old German flavor house. Parent company Freudenberg brings


long-term stability, global reach, and infrastructure to scale operations, expand market access, and foster cross-category innovation, strengthening its strategy to deliver relevant, innovative solutions to the food and beverage industry.


Minebea Intec incests in its load cell production


Minebea Intec, specialist in industrial weighing and inspection technology, is expanding production capacity to meet rising demand for high- precision load cells. The company has invested a seven-figure sum in a fully automated 2-tonne dead load testing machine and a new turning centre at its Hamburg site, reducing lead times and boosting efficiency. Minebea Intec offers tailored weighing solutions for tanks, silos, mixers,


and reactors — including digital and analogue load cells, weigh modules, and installation kits. “Our weighing solutions guarantee precise, continuous, and flexible dosing and filling processes while minimising material losses,” said Yannick Salzmann, Global Product Manager. Demand is growing for products such as the hygienic weighing module Novego®, designed for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and plastics industries. The new dead load machine enables fully automated calibration of up to 32


load cells at once, ensuring compliance with OIML standards across the full temperature range. “This system allows us to produce more load cells overall, reduce the load on other production systems, and shorten delivery times,” said Dr Olaf Krusemark, Head of Industrial Engineering. The new turning centre increases machining precision and productivity, enabling complex components to be produced with high accuracy. “These investments underline our commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction,” said Dr Karl Sommer, CEO & COO. “By modernising our production facilities, we can meet growing demand, ensure consistent quality, and further strengthen our position as a leading provider of weighing and inspection technologies worldwide.”


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