Potato News from Switzerland

Health and wellness have been top of mind for many European and US consumers for some years, but now, this is also becoming a key theme in the Middle East and Africa.

The world faces urgent challenges in the coming decades as climate change and a growing population make many of our current systems of production unsustainable.

Givaudan, the global leader in flavours and fragrances, and Bühler, global leader for food processing solutions, have today announced a development partnership to accelerate market access for food start-ups in Switzerland.

Swiss Rösti, a start-up company based in Portland Oregon is proud to announce the nationwide introduction of a new three-item line of frozen Crispy Filled Potato products under its Rösti brand.

Givaudan, the world’s leading flavors and fragrances supplier, has officially inaugurated its new flagship Innovation Center in Kemptthal, Switzerland.

Paragon Partners has agreed to sell its shares in potato processing company KADI AG located in Switzerland to Invision, thereby securing KADI’s long-term, independent perspective as leading supplier of premium potato products in Switzerland.

Nestle has applied for a patent for an infant formula based on potato protein microparticles. The company presents it as a naturally hypoallergenic infant formula that is suitable for infants with cow's milk protein allergy.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) released REPLACE, a step-by-step guide for the elimination of industrially-produced trans-fatty acids from the global food supply. Eliminating trans fats is key to protecting health and saving lives.

Processing Equipment manufacturer Bühler celebrated the ground breaking for its Innovation Campus in Uzwil, Switzerland. Completion of the building is expected for the first quarter of 2019.

Worldwide about a third of all food gets lost before it reaches our stomachs. For Swiss potatoes this is even more – half of the total harvest. Which measures can reduce the loss, and what effect do they have?

Bühler and Bosch Connected Devices and Solutions agreed to expand their existing successful collaboration for increased innovation and market launches, further leveraging the opportunities of the Internet of Things. New products are expected for 2017.

In Switzerland, the weather wasn’t on the side of potato producers. After last year’s bad conditions, this year the harvest has literally washed away. There are already farmers who have written off their crops and ploughed under the potato crop.

As announced a year ago, Stefan Scheiber is now CEO of Bühler. He succeeds Calvin Grieder, who will focus on his role as Chairman of the Board.

Energy efficiency is a top R&D priority for equipment manufacturer Bühler. Driven by recent successes in this field, Bühler has set its target to reduce the energy requirement in its core processes by another 20% by 2020.

Syngenta announced today the appointment of J. Erik Fyrwald, currently President and CEO of the U.S. chemistry distribution company Univar Inc., as Chief Executive Officer effective June 1.

In response to market demand, ILAPAK has enlarged its offering beyond its core flow wrapping and bagging capabilities to provide turn-key solutions that span feeding through to final packaging.

Bill Gates, who is a major backer of food biotechnology, has spoken passionately how food biotechnology can help the people of Africa fight the numerous challenges they face.

Syngenta today announced that ChemChina has offered to acquire the company at US$ 465 per ordinary share plus a special dividend of CHF 5 to be paid conditional upon and prior to closing.