Dear readers,
Some good news from the swine industry:
- The Oellers paint manufacturing facility located in Aldenhoven, Germany, has been utilizing more eco-friendly materials, including alkyd resins and fatty acids sourced from plant oils, for paint production over the past few years. A research initiative with Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences and the machinery producer 3WIN is now exploring pig manure as a new substitute for fossil-based binders. Many materials used for surface protection or decoration contain a significant amount of additives obtained from fossil sources. This research initiative has created a method for generating essential functional elements for corrosion-resistant coatings through bio-based techniques. The outcome is coatings that are able to be manufactured using current agricultural byproducts in a manner that conserves resources.
- Schara has formalized a strategic alliance with Premium Food Group (PFG), a German meat group owned by the Tönnies family. The alliance is structured as a strategic and industrial collaboration between both partners and will be led by Sabine Schara as CEO. This strategic alliance represents a significant step in the collaboration that Schara and PFG began in 2023, when the Barcelona-based company was unable to continue production at its facilities. The Tönnies family played a key role in ensuring Schara’s continued production in its main product category: sausages. The alliance will allow for an expanded portfolio with several new products to be presented starting this week at Alimentaria. I’ll take a look and a taste of it!
Events calendar:
- The FHV Food & Hospitality Vietnam is an international trade fair focusing on food, beverages, hospitality, bakeries, restaurants, catering, and related equipment. This event takes place at the SECC Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City on 3 days from Tuesday, 24. March to Thursday, 26. March 2026 .
- Agrofood Nigeria is a trade fair held at the Landmark Centre in Lagos. It serves as a central hub for business relationships and networking in sectors like agriculture, livestock breeding, food technology, beverages, and packaging in Nigeria. It is held on 3 days from Tuesday, 24.03.2026 to Thursday, 26.03.2026.
- The International Food & Drink Event (IFE) is one of the UK’s leading trade shows for the food and drink industry, held annually at the prestigious ExCeL London. The IFE will take place on 3 days from Monday, 30. March to Wednesday, 01. April 2026.
Volcano
Minister Jaimi van Essen, who oversees Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (LVVN) in the Dutch government, is promoting a more plant-centric diet in the Netherlands. By the year 2030, he seeks to establish a nutritional framework where half of the protein intake consists of plant-based proteins, with the other half derived from animal sources. One of the inquiries pertains to his perspective on transitioning towards alternative protein sources. “I support the advice from the Health Council and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre to adopt a diet that is richer in plant-based foods. This shift is crucial not just for our well-being, but also for the planet. “A target of balancing protein sources has been set, aiming for 50 percent derived from animal origins and 50 percent from plant sources by 2030.
It seems that he is on target…According to the latest data from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), participation in the National Livestock Farming Location Termination Scheme (Lbv) and its extended version, Lbv-plus, is particularly prevalent among pig farmers, with 380 pig operations currently involved. This indicates that almost 40 percent of the 953 individuals involved in the initiatives are in the pig farming. Four have yet to reply to the suggestion, 34 are currently in the initial stages of the process, which allows these business owners the option to opt-out. So far, 342 pig farmers have already taken their livestock away and cleared out the manure storage areas. A total of 25 pig farmers have applied for final confirmation.
Germany has got rid of the “greens” at the last elections, so now the German pork industry has initiated a new promotional effort concerning pork, featuring a significant event. A grand and somewhat eye-catching launch video, created under the theme “Das große Angrillen – Schwein gehabt”(The Great Barbecue – Lucky Pig! ), aims to capture interest and ignite a fresh public conversation.
This week, the Initiative Fleisch German pork advocacy group unveiled its latest communication initiative. The advertisement utilizes striking visuals, emotional appeal, and an unusual backdrop extensively. The objective is to seize attention and emphasize the pork theme under the tagline “The Big Barbecue – Happy Pigs! “.
Initiative Fleisch receives backing from numerous businesses and organizations within the German pork supply chain. Its aim is to consolidate facts, knowledge, and various viewpoints concerning meat as a food source. The public outreach efforts center on issues like nutritional benefits, enjoyment, and the social discourse surrounding meat intake. These initiatives intentionally employ emotionally resonant visuals and straightforward messages. Importantly, the intention is not to lecture. Everyone ought to have the freedom to determine what to place on their plate, according to Initiative Fleisch. Watch the volcano grilling here:
