Latest news with #drinks
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Refresco CEO Hans Roelofs to step down after 18-year tenure
Refresco CEO Hans Roelofs will step down in August, concluding an 18-year tenure with the Netherlands-based drinks manufacturer. In a statement issued yesterday (26 June), Refresco, majority-owned by private-equity firm KKR, said it had started a search for a new chief executive. Refresco supervisory board chairman and KKR partner James Cunningham thanked Roelofs for "positioning Refresco for continued success in the years to come as we continue to expand the company's footprint'. Roelofs joined Refresco in 2007 after spells at meat group Dumeco and agri-food business Nutreco. Through M&A and organic growth, Refresco is now a company with operations in 13 countries. The business has 75 manufacturing sites and employs more than 14,000 staff. KKR invested in the group in 2022. Reflecting on his decision to retire, Roelofs said: 'This is the right time for me to step back, confident that the company will continue to grow and thrive on its unique entrepreneurial spirit and the agility of its people.' In 2024, Refresco generated revenue of €5.99bn ($x), up 1% on a year earlier. The volume of drinks sold stood at 13.83bn litres, down from 14.25bn litres in 2023. Some 26% of the company's volumes were carbonated soft drinks, with another 26% generated through water products. Sport and energy drinks accounted for 15%. Earlier this month, Refresco agreed to acquire Norway-based soft-drinks manufacturer Telemark Kildevann (TKV). TKV operates two production facilities in the Norwegian towns of Fyresdal and Aurskog and supplies products to retailers and branded customers in Norway and Sweden. Last year, Refresco snapped up Spanish plant-based beverage maker Frías Nutrición, purchased a production site from German beverage group Berentzen-Gruppe and bought US-based VBC Bottling Company, a fellow contract manufacturer. In May last year, Rotterdam-based Refresco opened its first European plant-based production line in Germany, marking an entry into the oat drinks' market. As part of the deal for the Berentzen-Gruppe facility, Refresco also bought the mineral-water brands Märkisch Kristall and Grüneberg Quelle. Commending Roelofs' leadership, Refresco supervisory board member and PAI managing partner Frédéric Stévenin said: 'Refresco went through a period of unprecedented growth and transformation." "Refresco CEO Hans Roelofs to step down after 18-year tenure" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Malay Mail
22-06-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
More microplastics in your beer? Blame the glass bottle, says French study
PARIS, June 22 — Drinks including water, soda, beer and wine sold in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles, according to a surprising study released by France's food safety agency Friday. Researchers have detected the tiny, mostly invisible pieces of plastic throughout the world, from in the air we breathe to the food we eat, as well as riddled throughout human bodies. There is still no direct evidence that this preponderance of plastic is harmful to human health, but a burgeoning field of research is aiming to measure its spread. Guillaume Duflos, research director at French food safety agency ANSES, told AFP the team sought to 'investigate the quantity of microplastics in different types of drinks sold in France and examine the impact different containers can have'. The researchers found an average of around 100 microplastic particles per litre in glass bottles of soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea and beer. That was five to 50 times higher than the rate detected in plastic bottles or metal cans. 'We expected the opposite result,' PhD student Iseline Chaib, who conducted the research, told AFP. 'We then noticed that in the glass, the particles emerging from the samples were the same shape, colour and polymer composition — so therefore the same plastic — as the paint on the outside of the caps that seal the glass bottles,' she said. The paint on the caps also had 'tiny scratches, invisible to the naked eye, probably due to friction between the caps when there were stored,' the agency said in a statement. This could then 'release particles onto the surface of the caps', it added. Wine fine For water, both flat and sparkling, the amount of microplastic was relatively low in all cases, ranging from 4.5 particles per litre in glass bottles to 1.6 particles in plastic. Wine also contained few microplastics — even glass bottles with caps. Duflos said the reason for this discrepancy 'remains to be explained'. Soft drinks however contained around 30 microplastics per litre, lemonade 40 and beer around 60. Because there is no reference level for a potentially toxic amount of microplastics, it was not possible to say whether these figures represent a health risk, ANSES said. But drink manufacturers could easily reduce the amount of microplastics shed by bottle caps, it added. The agency tested a cleaning method involving blowing the caps with air, then rinsing them with water and alcohol, which reduced contamination by 60 per cent. The study released by ANSES was published online in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis last month. — ETX Studio
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
More microplastics in glass bottles than plastic: study
Paris, France -- Drinks including water, soda, beer and wine sold in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles, according to a surprising study released by France's food safety agency Friday. Researchers have detected the tiny, mostly invisible pieces of plastic throughout the world, from in the air we breathe to the food we eat, as well as riddled throughout human bodies. There is still no direct evidence that this preponderance of plastic is harmful to human health, but a burgeoning field of research is aiming to measure its spread. Guillaume Duflos, research director at French food safety agency ANSES, told AFP the team sought to 'investigate the quantity of microplastics in different types of drinks sold in France and examine the impact different containers can have'. The researchers found an average of around 100 microplastic particles per litre in glass bottles of soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea and beer. That was five to 50 times higher than the rate detected in plastic bottles or metal cans. 'We expected the opposite result,' PhD student Iseline Chaib, who conducted the research, told AFP. 'We then noticed that in the glass, the particles emerging from the samples were the same shape, colour and polymer composition -- so therefore the same plastic -- as the paint on the outside of the caps that seal the glass bottles,' she said. The paint on the caps also had 'tiny scratches, invisible to the naked eye, probably due to friction between the caps when there were stored,' the agency said in a statement. This could then 'release particles onto the surface of the caps', it added. Wine fine For water, both flat and sparkling, the amount of microplastic was relatively low in all cases, ranging from 4.5 particles per litre in glass bottles to 1.6 particles in plastic. Wine also contained few microplastics -- even glass bottles with caps. Duflos said the reason for this discrepancy 'remains to be explained'. Soft drinks however contained around 30 microplastics per litre, lemonade 40 and beer around 60. Because there is no reference level for a potentially toxic amount of microplastics, it was not possible to say whether these figures represent a health risk, ANSES said. But drink manufacturers could easily reduce the amount of microplastics shed by bottle caps, it added. The agency tested a cleaning method involving blowing the caps with air, then rinsing them with water and alcohol, which reduced contamination by 60 percent. The study released by ANSES was published online in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis last month. By Rébecca Frasquet, AFP
The Sun
19-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Strangest ways Brits have tried to open a bottle revealed – including wooden spoon, cigarette lighter & their own teeth
SOME of the strangest ways Brits have tried to open a bottle are with a wooden spoon, a cigarette lighter - or their own teeth. But 23 per cent of those who have tried the latter ended up with a chipped tooth – although in 90 per cent of cases, they did at least get the bottle open. 3 3 One in 20 (four per cent) have attempted to use a three-pin plug to get a lid off, while 34 per cent have used a spoon's handle. The research of 2,000 adults found 61 per cent of those who have damaged a tooth would consider an ' accessory ' - like a diamond - to cover it up. With Gen Z far more likely than any other age group to consider this oral upgrade. The research was commissioned by Kopparberg to mark the launch of its custom tooth caps which double up as a bottle opener, in partnership with Tuff Tooth - and is giving away 18 gold-plated caps on its social channels. Rob Salvesen, from the fruit cider maker, whose collection includes a design which nods to its Strawberry & Lime drink, said: 'We know that sometimes you find yourself without a bottle opener, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out. 'That's why we've created limited-edition custom caps - a clever solution for opening your drink whenever you need it." Other odd ways adults have tried to crack into a bottle included using a key (37 per cent) or a house brick (23 per cent). For those who have attempted to get into a much-needed refreshment without the proper equipment, 64 per cent just couldn't find one to hand. While 17 per cent consider their unusual opening technique a 'party trick', they do it in order to show off. On average, bottle-drinking Brits estimate they have to open one without a traditional opener 25 per cent of the time. Fury as cost of 12-pack of beer set to soar by £1 thanks to sinister new tax brought in by Labour In total, 52 per cent of respondents have tried to open a bottle with something other than a standard opener according to the data. With 19 per cent considering it likely they'll attempt to get into one via their teeth, at some point in the future. A little more than a fifth (21 per cent) would consider a tooth accessory to cover up any damage, were it to occur. Top 10 things people have used to open a bottle - without a bottle opener 1. The edge of a countertop or table 2. A key 3. Your teeth 4. Piece of cutlery (fork, spoon, knife) 5. Brick or wall 6. Another bottle 7. A screwdriver 8. A ring on your finger 9. Cigarette lighter 10. Wooden spoon
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brits left outraged after tourist shares receipt for two drinks in Las Vegas
A TV magician who once appeared on Britain's Got Talent has revealed how a couple of drinks in one of Las Vegas ' most popular attractions quickly burnt a hole in his wallet. Magic man Ryan Tricks, who has 2.5million followers on his Facebook page, shared a photograph of a bill after he bought the two drinks at Sphere, Sin City's futuristic entertainment venue. Ryan bought two drinks - a draft Chesney Coors Light Draft beer, which came in a plastic Kenny Chesney Cup, and a Bacardi-based drink. The receipt showed Ryan paid $20 (£14.73) for the lager, $3 (£2.20) for the reuseable cup and $34 (£25) for the Bacardi drink. But the charges didn't stop there; there was a Nevada sales tax of $2.62 (£1.93), a Clark County Sales tax of $2.15 (£1.58) and a tip of $12.54 (£9.24) to the server. The final bill came to $74.31 (£54.60). Posting the photo of the receipt, he captioned it: 'I can't believe how much two drinks were in Vegas. Look at the price.' Sphere opened in September 2023 and is famous for its 16K wraparound LED screen. The concert venue has already played host to some big names, including U2, The Eagles and, the man behind the cup the drink was served in, Kenny Chesney. Many were left aghast at the price of two drinks, and the additional charges. The post has had 400 comments to date, with one person writing: '£12 for a tip, shove that right where the sun don't shine.' Another added: 'Tips on taxes is morally wrong.' Others though suggested that it was par for the course for such an entertainment venue. One person wrote: 'This is inside the Sphere if you look at the receipt. It's the same as buying drinks in any arena. They always overcharge at Arenas or events. That goes for everywhere. Plenty of cheap drinks in Vegas elsewhere.' Another added: 'That's just normal for there we sat outside on a seat bar and paid £27 for 2 1/2 pints larger.' One penned: 'You were also at a concert venue. I'm sure if you go a few bikes away to the grocery store like go to Smith's down the street and you can buy those things a lot cheaper.' The US has a formidable tip culture, which can leave tourists that's before the local sales taxes have been added. Sphere launched in 2023, with a performance by U2 - but the venue has struggled to be profitable in its early years of operation Despite the handsome drinks prices, the Sphere hasn't fared well financially in recent times. In the autumn, it was reported that it was losing staggering sums, as company executives admitted they don't yet know how to make the venue profitable. From June 30 to September 30 2024, the Sphere reported an operating income loss of $125.1 million. The towering orb has 1.2 million exterior LEDs that create stunning light displays on the already-bright Vegas strip. Sphere Entertainment owns the venue along with MSG Networks, a regional sports cable channel broadcasting games from New York teams like the Knicks, Rangers and Islanders.
