Company expects to avoid its use of new plastic by nearly 80 million pounds in 2024 – the equivalent of nearly 2 billion bottles.

As part of the brand refresh, the Somersby tree has been redesigned to make it more iconic, with a simplified, more recognizable shape that is naturally uplifting. Its canopy with its distinctive shape can flex to aid flavor navigation.

The trays originate from natural waste and are designed to return to the earth, fully decomposing into compost at the end of their lifecycle.

Vidre+ is revolutionizing the supply chain seamlessly without any reorganization of current operating practices, by making every existing type of fresh produce packaging and label functional and adaptable into a smart version with adjustable protection against the negative effects of ethylene.

Ossid, a ProMach brand, is a leading manufacturer of sustainable, efficient tray packaging, flow wrapping, thermoforming fill seal, industrial scale and labeling machinery for the food, e-commerce and medical device industries.

Avantium’s PEF (polyethylene furanoate) is a 100% plant-based, fully recyclable polymer and offers a renewable and circular packaging solution for Royal Vezet’s salad bowls.

Company is expanding its palletizing range with the introduction of the high-performing RoboAccess_Pal S.

British Sugar needed an extremely compact and flexible case packing and palletizing solution to be implemented within a tight plant area that would be capable of handling multiple pallet and format types.

With the addition of the Hartness High-Speed Layer Palletizing Tool, Schneider is now able to offer its world-class solutions to an even larger portion of the palletizing market.

Sidel has delivered a central palletizing system composed of eight robotic cells connected to 28 packing lines at Unilever’s nutrition factory in Ploiesti, Romania, for savory brands including iconic Knorr.

In addition to its vast portfolio of conveyance solutions, Sentry manufactures a wide array of packaging equipment, including case and bulk palletizing, de-palletizing, and robotic systems. 

SideDrive Conveyor provides sanitary spiral and long-run transferless conveyors for virtually any application.

Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork processor, announced that it is actively preparing for COVID-19 vaccine distribution to employees and has medical capabilities at its U.S. plants. Meatpacking workers were among the groups hit hardest by the new coronavirus last year.

The plan includes four core strategies intended to create better earnings for groups involved in the meat and poultry supply chain.

Rotibag's innovative features include an integrated handle, making it ideal for hot grab-and-go items like rotisserie chicken and other prepared foods, while its fog-resistant packaging ensures product visibility.

Loma Systems designed and engineered the X5 SideShoot X-ray machine specifically for the inspection of taller food products.

The tortillas are made without preservatives but have a shelf life of six months thanks to their protective carbon dioxide and nitrogen atmospheres – provided that the thermoformed packaging is absolutely airtight.

Around half the sheetfed offset presses Heidelberg sells go to packaging customers, and the folding carton market is a strategic growth segment for Heidelberg.

The Versatex Printbar leverages the architecture of two print banks, each equipped with six Xaar Nitrox printheads, to achieve up to three different laydown effects in a single pass and with one varnish.

Videojet 2380 large character marking system now employs up to four printheads to print on multiple sides of cases and cartons.

The Emerging Leaders' Guide to Thriving at Industry Events jhammond@desti… Tue, 11/05/2024 - 21:09

Recently, we asked, "What's one thing you wish you knew before starting your own private music studio?" Here are some of the comments we received.

A note via Bank of America economists on expectations and wariness on US October CPI data due Wednesday at 8.30 am US Eastern time.

BoA expect core CPI to show an increase of 0.3% m/m month

• holding at 3.3% y/y
• would be the third consecutive month with a 3.3% core reading

BoA say that looking ahead, the rise is inflation tilted to the upside:

• "We see pro-growth fiscal policy, tariffs, and tighter immigration as potential sources of upside inflation risk over the coming years if they are implemented"

Higher inflation to come would slow/halt/reverse (you can pick more than one ;-)) Federal Reserve rate cuts.

Justin had the news from the People's Bank of China here:

• PBOC governor will maintain yuan exchange rate at a reasonable, balanced level

PBOC governor Pan Gongsheng emphasized the Bank will not let the yuan plummet without a fight:

• Will step up countercyclical adjustment
• Should resolutely guard against the risk of exchange rate overshoot

With the surging USD after Trump's win the yuan is just one of many weaker currencies:

The People's Bank of China set the onshore yuan (CNY) reference rate for the trading session ahead.

• USD/CNY is the onshore yuan. Its permitted to trade plus or minus 2% from this daily reference rate.
• CNH is the offshore yuan. USD /CNH has no restrictions on its trading range.
• A significantly stronger or weaker rate than expected is typically considered a signal from the PBOC.

Previous reference rate was 7.2355.

The setting at 7.1991, about 300-odd points lower than the modelled estimate is indicative of the PBoC pushing back against yuan weakness. AUD/USD has popped a little on the setting of a stronger than expected yuan.

PBOC injects 233bn yuan via 7-day RR, sets rate at 1.5%

• 17bn yuan mature today
• net injection is 216bn yuan

/*/*

The USDCHF has moved higher in trading today and in the process moved above the swing highs from last week and swing area between 0.8772 to 0.8776. That area is now a close risk and bias-defining level. Staying above is more bullish.

The move above that area today has led to an increase in momentum with the price moving to and through the 50% midpoint of the move down from the Mqy 1 high. That level comes in at 0.87986 (near natural resistance at 0.8800).

The price is in trading above and below that level the last four or so hours of trading with a high price of 0.8804. Also in play on the topside is its 200-day moving average at 0.8817 and a swing area from 0.88187 to 0.88251. Get above those levels would open the door for more upside momentum.

So buyers and sellers are battling it out near the 50% midpoint and below the 200-day moving average. That is natural estranged can defined and limited risk against the technical levels. However, the price were to move above the 200-day moving average, the seller leaning now, should look to cover and push the price higher.

---------------------------------

USDCHF Summary

The USDCHF continues its upward trend, testing the 50% target level at 0.87986.

Key Levels:

Resistance

• 0.8817 (200-day MA)

• 0.88187-0.8825 (swing area)

Support

• 0.8772-0.87763 (last week's highs)

Outlook:

• Breaking above 0.88187-0.8825 opens door for more upside momentum.

• Moving below 0.8772-0.87763 gives sellers short-term advantage.

• Absent a breakdown, buyers remain in control, targeting new highs since July 31.

Good morning, afternoon and evening all. Any charts, technical analysis, trade ideas, thoughts, views, ForexLive traders would like to share and discuss with fellow ForexLive traders, please do so:

CPI data from the US due today, Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

Greg popped up a preview earlier:

• US CPI to be released tomorrow at 8:30 AM. Expectations are for 0.2% MoM

In a recent note, BMO previewed the data also. Analysts at the bank suggest that any significant influence from recent storms on inflation data is likely limited, meaning market reactions to any deviation in core inflation—either upward or downward—may be pronounced.

The consensus forecast calls for a steady +0.3% rise in core CPI for the month, with expectations leaning toward a possible upside surprise.

A +0.4% reading or higher would make waves, particularly against the backdrop of the recent election results. The logic suggests that if inflation was already ticking up before the GOP’s victory, the added impact of tariffs and potential trade conflicts could fuel further inflationary momentum. However, BMO analysts also point out that while targeted tariffs may not universally drive up prices, this assumption currently shapes US rates market sentiment. With this market outlook in mind, BMO expects that an upside surprise in October’s inflation numbers could have a meaningful impact on yields, increasing their upward trajectory.

At present, actual inflation data is seen as the most direct factor that could push 10-year yields beyond the 4.50% threshold. A softer-than-expected core CPI reading could trigger a rally in the Treasury market, though there appears to be a limit to how much the market will temper expectations for inflation following Trump’s victory. Instead, BMO anticipates the market will continue to define a trading range in this post-election landscape, characterized by a mix of cautious optimism and prevailing skepticism.

Midnight Evergreen Technologies, Inc. (Midnight) dares to reimagine the role of an AA game publisher, with a mission to fundamentally reshape how we play together. Midnight is building The Evergreen, the first (of-its-kind) publishing platform designed as a deconstructed, composable MMORPG, delivering immersive, cross-genre experiences that seamlessly span across various platforms, pushing the boundaries of how games are played and enjoyed.

The Evergreen fuses enduring player progression with constantly evolving gameplay, creating an interconnected arcade of games that offer the reach, engagement, and monetization of a traditional MMO—without the risks of a single theme, game narrative, or prolonged production cycles.

Midnight proudly announces the launch of the first of its 26 planned core games in this Deconstructed MMO: The Evergreen: Midnight Market. Set to release on Web, Mobile, and Telegram, and built in partnership with Aptos Foundation, Midnight Market is a daring game of risk and reward where every spin teeters between fortune and mischief. Combining the thrill of crypto gaming with the reliability and scalability of Aptos' Layer 1 blockchain, Midnight Market sets a new standard for decentralized gaming.

Players will find themselves in a high-stakes world of chance, crafting items, earning tokens, and navigating encounters with the elusive Night Pig. How far will you push your luck in pursuit of the ultimate prize?

“Our partnership with Aptos Foundation marks a significant tipping point,” said Steve Wade, Founder & CEO of Midnight. “Aptos’ innovative Web3 infrastructure aligns perfectly with our strategy to focus on player participation in the ecosystems they engage with. Specifically, we’ve solved for interoperability between games, and Aptos makes that solution a reality.” Wade further explained, “We believe in the creator economy and see Web3 as the next logical step—empowering individuals and communities to shape the ecosystems they interact with. With Aptos, we envision a world where players’ stories matter and endure long after the game is over.”

Key Features of The Evergreen: Midnight Market

• Engaging, Unpredictable Gameplay: Players experience unpredictable rewards or unexpected encounters, with every spin holding the potential for either fortune or a surprise interaction with the Night Pig. This element of suspense enhances the gameplay experience with an entertaining, high-stakes twist.
• Decisive Risk-Reward Mechanics: With each turn, players must choose between pushing their luck for higher rewards or banking their earnings. This gameplay design adds strategic depth, enhancing engagement through meaningful player choices.
• Aptos Powered Player Economy: Midnight Market features a blockchain-powered economy, enabling players to craft items known as Keys and earn tickets that can be redeemed for the native ecosystem token or other exclusive merchandise. This player-driven system ensures that every reward has tangible value, heightening the stakes and making the game’s risk-reward mechanics even more impactful.

The game is the first major title to utilize the Aptos high-throughput blockchain, which boasts low latency and high transaction speeds, creating a seamless gaming environment for thousands of players worldwide.

“Powered by the speed and security of the Aptos blockchain, we’re excited to see Midnight’s ambitious vision for The Evergreen brought to life,” said Bashar Lazaar, Head of Grants and Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation. “Players can expect an immersive, genre-spanning experience where every move shapes their unique journey, and the time they spend leaves lasting echoes within the game’s universe and control over the assets they acquire. This isn’t just a step into the future of Web3 gaming—it’s a bold leap forward, placing players at the heart of a dynamic ecosystem, where every moment they choose to spend has a meaningful impact on the worlds they explore".

The Evergreen: Midnight Market is in closed beta now and available to players globally November 13th.

About Aptos Foundation

Aptos Foundation is dedicated to supporting the development of the Aptos protocol, decentralized network and ecosystem and driving engagement with the Aptos ecosystem. By unlocking a blockchain with seamless usability, Aptos Foundation aims to bring the benefits of decentralization to the masses.

About Aptos Network

Aptos is a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain. Aptos’ breakthrough technology and programming language, Move, are designed to evolve, improve performance and strengthen user safeguards.

About Midnight

Midnight (https://www.midnight.io/) is at the forefront of innovation with The Evergreen, the first-ever publishing platform that operates as a deconstructed, composable MMORPG. Players engage with and explore diverse, interconnected game worlds, all linked by The Evergreen, a dynamic nexus that binds these unique experiences together. Each game is its own universe, offering new adventures while feeding into a broader progression system. By combining immersive gameplay with a shared economy and evolving narratives, Midnight is reshaping how players discover and interact with new worlds across genres and platforms.

Japan's Seven & i Holdings is considering a management buyout to take itself private with funding from banks, Itochu Corp. and the founding Ito family in a transaction that could be worth US$58 billion

"People with knowledge of the matter" cited in the reports via Nikkei and Bloomberg.

The Japanese owner of 7-Eleven is considering going private by buying back its own shares in a bid to avoid a takeover attempt by Canadian rival Alimentation Couche-Tard, the news report says.

For some context, these subsidies did come to an end in May but were reinstated in August through to October to cope with the warmer weather. Subsequently, they were continued until this year-end but the funds had to be drawn from reserves in the budget for the fiscal year that started in April.

NHK is now reporting that the government is considering keeping these subsidies from January through to March next year. Amid a higher cost of living in key populated areas such as Tokyo, the measure above is mainly to try and combat rising consumer prices.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Given broadcasters' integral role in educating the public on COVID-19 and vaccine deployment, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has joined the COVID Collaborative, a national assembly of experts and organizations working on unified action against the COVID-19 pandemic. NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith will serve on the Collaborative’s National Advisory Council.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today announced the launch of an online toolkit to help local journalists craft COVID-19 vaccine education messages that best resonate with their audiences. The toolkit is designed to provide journalists with information and resources to create news reports, public service announcements and other messages related to vaccine safety, effectiveness and distribution.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith:

Washington, D.C. -- The National Association of Broadcasters announced Charlyn Stanberry has joined the organization as vice president of Government Relations, effective today. Stanberry will report to Shawn Donilon, executive vice president of Government Relations.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) adoption of new rules mandating disclosures for foreign government-sponsored programming, the following statement can be attributed to NAB Senior Vice President of Communications Ann Marie Cumming:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Gordon Smith delivered remarks today at NAB's State Leadership Conference. The annual gathering of 500 radio and TV station owners and executives from all 50 states is designed to educate the broadcast industry to advocate on relevant legislative and regulatory issues. This year’s conference is a virtual-only event.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – David Santrella, president of Broadcast Media for Salem Media Group, was elected chairman of the NAB Joint Board of Directors, NAB announced today. Santrella takes over from Jordan Wertlieb, president of Hearst Television, Inc., whose term expired.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to recent incidents of violence involving broadcast journalists, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith:

Washington, D.C. -- National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Executive Vice President of Global Connections and Events Chris Brown today issued the following letter to the NAB Show community regarding health and safety plans for the 2021 NAB Show:

Washington, D.C. -- Anna Chauvet has joined the National Association of Broadcasters as vice president of Public Policy, effective today. Chauvet will report to Shawn Donilon, executive vice president of Government Relations.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith delivered a State of the Industry address today. 

Washington, D.C. -- In response to the passing of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith:

Curtis LeGeyt has assumed the president and chief executive officer position at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), effective January 1. LeGeyt takes the helm after a 12-year run by former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, who has transitioned to an advisory and advocacy role with NAB.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today announced the hire of Bradford Caldwell as vice president of Member Experience. Caldwell, who starts on February 1, will report to Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs April Carty-Sipp.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- New National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt shared his vision and outlook for the organization and the broadcasting industry in a virtual town hall for NAB members today. LeGeyt was joined by members of NAB’s policy team for a briefing on legislative and regulatory issues facing broadcasters, as well as an update on the association’s work to support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the industry.

Washington, D.C. -- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt will participate in a fireside chat on the NAB Show Main Stage on April 25, 2022 at 10 a.m. in Las Vegas, Nev.