F+B Tech

Unilever has unveiled plans to develop a new Global Innovation Centre in New Haven, Connecticut, opening by spring 2029.

The centre will be a leading hub for the company’s research and development for its personal care, beauty and wellbeing businesses in the U.S. and globally.

Read more: https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/16/unilever-invests-usd-270m-in-global-innovation-centre/

Waitrose has reported soaring demand for unhomogenised organic whole milk, to the point that the Waitrose Farm at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire has had to install new milk processing units to keep up.

Read more: https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/16/waitrose-expands-milk-production-due-to-rising-demand/

NZ Clean Energy (NZCE) and Fonterra have announced a long-term Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) under which the Co-operative will purchase electricity generated by NZCE's Darfield Solar and Energy Storage Project.

Read more: https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/17/nzce-x-fonterra/

Nestlé USA has announced it has fully eliminated Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colours from its U.S. food and beverage portfolio, achieving its commitment to do so by mid-2026.

Read more: https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/16/nestle-usa-completes-removal-of-fdc-colours/

Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson said that Wool Source Manufacturing Limited has already achieved its first high-volume commercial sale, exporting wool particles to a Japanese personal care manufacturer, with higher-value powders and pigments expected to follow.

Read more: https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/12/boosting-returns-for-kiwi-wool-growers/

Mars has officially opened its AUD 112.6 million world-class pet food facility in Wodonga, Victoria, marking a major milestone in the company’s long-term investment in Australian manufacturing, regional jobs and sustainable innovation.

https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/12/mars-opens-australias-largest-cat-food-kitchen/

A partnership between the Government and the forestry and wood processing sector will result in the new ‘NZ Pine’ brand, strengthening New Zealand’s position as a premium, trusted supplier of wood products.

https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/12/nz-pine-brand-supports-wood-exports/

Forestry and Trade Minister Todd McClay said the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report highlighted a resilient, high-performing food and fibre sector driving strong demand and prices for New Zealand’s world-class products.

https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/12/food-fibre-exports-set-to-hit-record-nzd-64-3-billion/

PepsiCo and Gatik have announced a multi-year strategic partnership to bring autonomous freight into PepsiCo’s North America supply chain, marking the largest commercial autonomous freight deployment to date.

Read more: https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/11/gatik-x-pepsico/

The New Zealand kiwifruit industry has welcomed Government co-investment in a new five-year programme to help growers produce higher yields of premium fruit, with less water, fewer nutrients and reduced environmental impact.

https://www.fbtech.co.nz/2026/06/11/five-year-kiwifruit-programme/