Bakkavör and Coca-Cola Enterprises benefit from £11M government efficiency plan

The total value of the scheme will amount to more than £23M once the participating companies have contributed funding.

Other contributing companies include ABP Food Group, Arla Foods, Kraft Foods, Milklink, Nestec, Nestlé, New Food Innovation, PepsiCo International, Sainsbury and Warburtons.

Through the business-led projects, the government aims to increase efficiency, reduce waste in the beef supply chain, increase bread manufacturing efficiency and sustainability and introduce more energy air distribution systems for cooling food factories.

Food and farming minister David Heath said: “In an increasingly hungry world, these new technologies and manufacturing techniques will help the UK’s food processing sector use fewer natural resources and be more efficient. It will enable the sector to fully explore its potential as a real engine for economic growth.”​

A real engine for economic growth​

Richard Lochhead, Scottish cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment, said: “The competitiveness of Scotland’s food and drink processing and manufacturing sector is vital for continued future economic growth. ​

“The investment will help explore new ways of saving energy and resources, which in turn can reduce the industry’s environmental impact and underpin the ongoing development of this critical sector.”​

Iain Gray, chief executive of the technology strategy board, said: “The UK food and drink manufacturing sector has an annual turnover of over £75bn, and has great potential to help drive growth in our economy.  ​

“This new funding provides the opportunity for UK businesses to develop technologies and innovative systems that will deliver advances throughout the food and drink chain, as well as create opportunities for the export of goods and services to the global market​. 

“The collaboration between the funders is also an excellent example of cooperation between partners in the Global Food Security programme.”​