Popularity of solar power energy increases with rising oil, gas and electricity costs
Posted - July 30, 2009
Popularity of solar power energy increases with rising oil, gas and electricity costs
O.W.N. News Network
High oil and gas prices and improving regulatory support for solar power are driving solar photovoltaic (PV) cell market. Other drivers include increasing popularity of “green” energy, rising electricity costs and emergence of more efficient solar PV technologies.
Research and Markets Ltd. www.researchandmarkets.com has produced its Photovoltaic Report “Solar PV Cells: An Introduction”, which analyzes the global solar photovoltaic cell market, with focus on production, capacity and expansion plans. It also discusses the regional markets, pricing trend, emergence of thin film technology and market forecast. Currently, the major challenge for the solar PV market is adequate procurement of solar grade silicon, says a release provided by Research and Markets Ltd. The planned capacity increase in polysilicon production in the coming years is expected to drive solar PV cells output capacity higher. Therefore, the outlook of solar PV market in the next few years largely depends on availability and pricing of polysilicon.
Germany, Spain, Japan and the US dominate the worldwide solar PV market with more than 85% of cumulative installed PV capacity. A key reason for high growth in these countries is the active role adopted by their governments in providing subsidies to the solar industry. However, growth in Japan has been hindered due to scaling down of subsidies program.
Crystalline Silicon technology has until now dominated the solar PV market, with about ninety percent market share. Thin-film technology is a less efficient, lower cost, alternative to crystalline silicon. Thin-films are usually used for large PV plants, in large commercial or industrial buildings.
There are fewer companies involved as we move up in the solar PV value chain. Germany’s Q-Cells was the world’s largest producer of solar cells in 2007, followed by Japan’s Sharp Corporation, Chinese manufacturer Suntech Power and Japan’s Kyocera Corporation. The top ten companies have a market share of more than fifty percent of the worldwide solar PV cell market.
Apart from a discussion of the competitive landscape, the report profiles the major solar cell producers with a discussion of their key business strategies.
Another related study by Research and Markets states that among all renewable energy segments, the photovoltaic (PV) system accounts to 24% of the overall renewable energy market and wind accounts for approximately 38%. Solar heating devices comprise 21% and others 17% that includes water, biomass and geothermal energy. In comparison to the matured wind energy generating system, the PV system is currently not limited to a defined geographical area. Any PV system can be set up for both industrial and consumer use and in both cities and countries. Solar PV cell industry is expected to be the most flourishing sub-sector in the alternative energy industry because sunlight can be obtained worldwide without any geological concerns.
Earthbound and Naked will use only post-consumer recycled packaging
Posted - July 27, 2009
Earthbound and Naked will use only post-consumer recycled packaging
O.W.N. News Network
This month, Earthbound Farm and Naked Juice announced their decision to only use packaging made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.
Earthbound claims to be the first firm in the fresh produce sector to switch the plastic for all its clamshell packages to 100 percent Post-Consumer Recycled PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PCR PET). This initiative is part of the celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary.
Naked Juice is also the first firm in the juice product category to switch to the reNEWabottle PET plastic, identified by the resin code 1. In a release the company announced to have its entire product line transitioned to the 100 percent post-consumer recycled bottles in 2010, starting by converting all of its 32 ounce bottles this month.
The previous bottles were translucent, the Naked reNEWabottle is clear, in response to growing consumer demand for more transparency, which literally includes the wish to see the content of the product they are buying. With this transition Naked Juice will reduce consumption of 8.1 million pounds of virgin plastic per year.
According to its website, Earthbound estimates that by switching to only recycled plastic, it will conserve 424,000 million BTUs of energy and 68,307 gallons of water, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 16,191 tons and use 1.3 million pounds of post-consumer plastic per year.
PET is a strong but lightweight form of shatter-resistant, and recyclable clear polyester used to make containers for food and non-food products. The PET molecules consist of long chains of repeating units only containing the carbon (C), oxygen (o) and hydrogen (h) elements. While virgin PET is made primarily from natural gas, post-consumer recycled PET is made from previously used plastic containers, requires significantly less energy and water to produce, generates less greenhouse gases than virgin plastic, and diverts re-useable materials out of the landfills.
The commitment to 100 percent post consumer plastic initiated by Earthbound and Naked is of great importance. Although PET is the most-recycled plastic material, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, of the nearly 6 billion pounds of PET packaging waste consumers in the United States generated in 2007, only 23 percent was recycled into new products .If more organic firms embark in this initiative, a trend may start for consumers to push the larger conventional multinationals to take similar action.
Organic consumers prefer glass containers
Posted - July 24, 2009
Organic consumers prefer glass containers
O.W.N. News Network
Glass continues to be the first choice of packaging for most health-conscious organic shoppers, concludes a survey conducted by the University of Oklahoma and the Glass Packaging Institute (GPI), the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. According to the poll, most health-conscious organic shoppers believe glass keeps the true flavor and taste (79.8%) and purity (77.3%) of a food product. Glass also continues to be the first choice of the organic shopper by wide margins compared to other forms of packaging for health (77%), quality (67.7%), and preserving product shelf life (67.7%).
“Glass is the natural packaging choice for organic products, as like organic foods and beverages, glass bottles and jars contain no synthetic chemicals or toxins,” says Joseph Cattaneo, president of the Glass Packaging Institute. “Glass containers are 100% pure, and are made from natural minerals, which include sand, soda ash, and limestone.”
Glass is once again the primary choice when it comes to the superior packaging for the environment (50%), compared to paper (28.3%) and plastic (10.2%), and is also the first choice of consumers who say they care about the environment and their individual and family health.
“Glass containers can be recycled again and again without loss of quality or purity,” says Cattaneo in a release. “Every time you recycle a glass bottle or jar, you help to save energy and our planet. Glass is good for your health and for the environment.”
The survey was conducted by telephone on April 14, 2009, under the coordination of the Newton Marketing Research, Norman, Oklahoma, in conjunction with Professor Doyle Yoon, PhD Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Oklahoma, with a Margin of error of +/- 3.7% (survey facts). The poll included a sample of 1,000 respondents.
The survey also found that in spite of the recession, consumer interest in organic foods continues, especially among younger consumers, with a 57.8 percent between the age of 18-to-34, reporting to purchase organic foods sometime during the year, compared to 38 percent of shoppers ages 55 and older. Consumers are better informed and are willing to pay a premium for products that are healthier and friendly to the environment inside and out.
After the bisphenol A scandals where it was proven that this and other chemicals contained in the plastic can leach out, demand for “pure,” “sustainable” packaging for foods and beverages has become stronger. Consumers want transparency and this literally applies to the possibility to see the product inside the package. Glass offers a cleaner look and the confidence of a material that has been safely used for over 4,000 years, even though its production also causes CO2 emissions and transportation of goods packed in glass may increase their carbon footprint because of their extra weight and potential to break that requires extra packaging.
For more information visit www.gpi.org
France’s Humble Boom
Posted - July 23, 2009
France’s Humble Boom
By John Coghlan
The next time you nestle into your chair at a Paris bistro and order a wine from Provence, you may be ordering organic. France’s organic market may be small, but, recession aside, growing fast. Sales of organic food jumped 25% last year and more than 60% in the past three years to reach 2.6 billion Euros. Agence Bio, France’s organic association said that sales would probably continue to grow as the public wanted to avoid pesticides in food and genetically modified foods.
Today, organic products in France are offered in all distribution and consumption channels. Already 36% of cafeterias offer at least one organic serving on their menu. In total food sales, organics still have a humble market, jumping from 1.1% of market share in 2007 to 1.7% in 2008. But the organic sector is still growing. Since 1999 organic farmers have almost tripled area allotted to growing organic produce to 580,000 hectares. And market share will continue to grow: 74% of those who had bought organic food said that they would maintain or increase their purchases over the next six months. In a recession, growing markets are something to watch. Agence Bio’s head, Elizabeth Mercier stated that organic products so far appeared resistant to the recession with sales continuing to increase.
One lesson for organic producers and retailers: keep prices modest. In a recent survey, 57% of French polled said that they compare organic and non-organic prices. Only 47% said so in 2006. As well, growth rates are down in all major organic food markets, such as the United States and Germany. The same is proving true for France.
To further build the organic sector, Agence Bio ,in cooperation with other organizations, launched in 2008 a two year national consumer communication campaign. Events that highlight the benefits of organic farming have been scheduled at major stores and fairs. And to increase organic production another initiative is courting grain farmers. Leading organics are the fruit and vegetable, wine and livestock sectors. In the south, Languedoc Rousillon’s organic vineyard area is increasing 36% a year, followed by Provence-Alpes-Côtes-d’Azure, with a 26% yearly growth in organic vineyard area. Last year, 5.6% of France`s fruit cultivation had become organic. Of note too, farmers are planting aromatic organic crops for the perfume industry – above all, lavender, and medicinal herbs for sales in health products. And despite humble cultivated area, in the past year, these crops registered a 25% increase. But the greatest jump in organic production has been the 40% increase in organic olive production. So at the Paris Bistro, even the olive in your Martini may soon be organic.
Aires de Campo: a company of firsts
Posted - July 21, 2009
Aires de Campo: a company of firsts
By Adriana Michael
Aires de Campo is a company of firsts. The company is the first pioneer to introduce certified organic foods on a large scale in Mexico. It’s also Mexico’s first company with a female founder and CEO. Guadalupe Latapi is petite and appears to be a young student clad in casual clothes. Underneath that casual exterior, she simmers with the strong will and commitment. Seven years ago, Latapi dared to set up a risky project; to consistently offer high quality and diversified foods to the largest supermarket chains in Mexico. To do this, she had to organize a network of organic food producers to supply her own brand. They had to be dependable, too.
In 2002, after doing a Masters in Food Science at the University of California, Latapi returned home looking for ways to apply her new knowledge. She found them. At a local food fair in the city of Puebla, she met some organic entrepreneurs, including a dairy farmer, who for quite some time had been trying to establish a large-scale domestic market. From discussions with him and others, Latapi learned that a sustainable project needed three pillars: logistics, promotion and marketing. Building on these pillars with her family and friends she started the distributing company, Aires de Campo, to introduce eight organic certified dairy products to the supermarket chains. Soon Latapi and her team noticed that they would need to diversify. She met small cooperatives and producers with high quality goods who were lacking the market access that Aires de Campo could provide. Her company linked up these producers with the supermarket chains.
IMPLEMENTATION AND NEW LINES
Against all odds, Latapi proved it! Mexico certainly had a market for certified organic foods. As new lines were gradually added to the distribution project, Aires de Campo kept in the task to fulfill it. Organic vegetables and fruits followed dairy products. Then came grains, meats and eggs. People started asking for more processed foods, such as breakfast cereals, breads, and pastas not produced in Mexico. That is when Aires de Campo looked beyond the border and imported cereals from the Canadian firm Nature’s Path. “But our main goal is not to become an importer” warns Guadalupe. “We want to stimulate production in Mexico, as the prices for imported goods would really be out of reach for most people here.”
Now in its seventh year, Aires de Campo reports annual sales of over 2.7 million US dollars, 45 employees, and a network of 50 suppliers supporting over 1000 families. The company also offers almost 200 products to all main food retail chains in Mexico, including Walmart and Costco. Aires de Campo developed the private label Via Verde for Walmart, with a line of food staples. More unique gourmet foods are offered to retailers like Palacio del Hierro.
REASONS FOR THEIR SUCCESS
The main reason for their success? Good marketing, says Latapi. Without a strong marketing plan, she adds, no one can really sustain “sustainable development”. “We invest in radio and print ads, seminars and our website to offer recipes and stay in constant contact with the consumer, the suppliers and the retailers.”
Latapi also stresses logistics: “Finding the way to make the most direct connection between the farmers and the end consumer has been our policy”. Headquartered in Mexico City, Aires de Campo opened Biocentro, a distribution centre delivering organic produce to homes weekly. The Centre also serves consumers who stop by to buy directly all products offered under the Aires de Campo brand and other new lines the company also carries. The Biocentro also serves hotels and restaurants and independent stores that cannot afford to buy each product in bulk; instead they place small orders for a combination of lines.
Latapi also believes fair treatment of suppliers helps. The company’s aim has been to help improve the quality of life of suppliers, many of them female workers. This, in turn, has created a good work environment and motivation to succeed in the project among employees and co-workers.
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
While marketing and logistics led Latapi to success, her company had to surmount two barriers at the beginning: demanding and sceptical buyers, and an undemanding public.
One of the barriers to overcome was to educate the buyers at the conventional food retail chains. Organics bewildered buyers. Some products, unlike conventional ones, were seasonal. Some were handmade and showed some naturally occurring irregular shapes or colors. Buyers had to realize that organic produce was less standardized than non-organic produce. Persistent information campaigns paid off.
Mexican consumers are not demanding, having very little interest in the source of the food that they eat. Things are changing with the media alerting the public to the dangers of conventional food production. “What was missing in Mexico was to develop the domestic organic market”, says Latapi. “Now we see more brands serving local consumers, not all producers are just concentrated in exports”.
THE FUTURE: INTERNAL MARKETS
Meanwhile, Roberto Latapi, Guadalupe’s brother and director of exports, plans to find similar entrepreneurs abroad, ones who would like to work under a barter deal arrangement. He seeks well established foreign processors and distributors willing to introduce their lines to Mexico. In exchange for introducing Aires de Campo products through their distribution channels, they may use Aires de Campo’s. “This is the way to go in current economic times”, says Roberto. Aires de Campo exhibited at All Things Organic in Chicago June 16-18th, as part of the Mexican pavilion. “We also made good contacts at BioFach in Germany back in February”, says Roberto. “Now we will explore the US market for organic ethnic foods and ingredients we can provide”.
Although the firm is exporting, Guadalupe says that it only exports surplus production. She states that certain products have a demand in organic quality much higher than the local production capacity. One example: the hibiscus flower, used for “Agua de Jamaica”, a natural refreshing cold tea in all Mexican households. “From production of one ton of organic certified hibiscus flower, after three years of efforts, this year we have produced thirty tonnes.”
While Mexico is among the first countries to start Biodynamic Agriculture back in the 1930’s as result of Rudolf Steiner’s teachings and it is currently the first producer of organic coffee, its interior market for organics is just expanding. In this process, Aires de Campo certainly comes first.
Cereal Beverage market exploding
Posted - July 20, 2009
CEREAL BEVERAGE MARKET EXPLODING
By Kelly Roesler
The global functional foods market was valued at $164 billion in 2007 and is expected to grow to $240 billion by 2012, as manufacturers expand production of functional foods that deliver “health solutions” to support specific bodily functions (Nutraingredients.com, February 16, 2009).
Global economic pressures and increasing consumer expectations for improve overall health, convenience and environmental responsibility, are forces driving the organic functional beverage market.
“In spite of the economic recession the market for functional certified organic cereal drinks is still up,” says Alessandro Bartoli, VP of Italian beverages manufacturer Abafoods S.R.L. “Last year overall sales grew around 25 percent and this year we expect around 15 percent, which is still a very good number in the food sector”.Abafoods produces only certified organic functional beverages of soy, rice, millet, oats, kamut and other cereals under private label and for its own brand Isolabio . Outside Italy, France is the company’s second market followed by Spain and other EU countries. “In Spain cereal functional beverages were practically unknown until recently”, says Miguel AngelMontesinos of the Italian subsidiary La Finestra sul Cielo Espana. “With the growing number of food intolerances and allergies related to dairy, milk sales have dropped dramatically, to the point that the main conventional soy beverage players are now the dairy companies”. Today, soy, rice and oats drinks are found at retail shelves of major supermarkets.
WHO BUYS CEREAL BEVERAGES?
Organic functional cereal beverages appeal mainly to two major user groups: younger adults and higher-income consumers, especially professional women on-the-go. They also have potential as a breakfast food milk alternative for children and teenagers, who often leave home to school with no food or after a bowl of sugar-rich cereals. Recent attention to the prevalence of obesity in children, has prompted companies to develop lines to encourage this consumer group to choose beverages that promote a healthier lifestyle.
However, being organic and packed in a known brand is not enough to win new customers, especially younger consumers, says Montesinos. The acceptability of a new product is judged first by sight and smell. The color, consistency, smell, taste and aftertaste are all very important. “A beverage drink offered in a caramel or dark color as a replacement for cow’s milk is likely to be rejected before it has ever been tasted”.
Keeping all of these factors in mind, La Finestra sul Cielo Spain in association with Isolabio is launching its new BeVida this summer, to hit the “back to school” season. BeVida is an organic brown rice and kamut drink with chocolate flavour. It is calcium fortified with organic seaweed. “The product will be launched in Spain and Portugal, but the label will be presented in seven languages, to allow rapid penetration to other countries”, saysMontesinos, who is also introducing La Finestra in Latin America with high success.
KEEPING CONSUMERS ENGAGED IS KEY
Bartoli warns that to remain competitive, it is important to keep the consumer engaged to avoid saturation. AbaFoods and its clients are always innovating and paying attention to consumer perception. “We noticed that for committed consumers, being organic is not enough; they want to know if the ingredients come from local sources. The slow food and 100 mile movements now have an impact in the purchasing decision. “We noticed that in France, organic consumers prefer to buy soy and other cereal drinks that are made in France or a closer country. With this in mind, Abafoods plans to concentrate production of its cereal drinks with ingredients sourced in Italy, the first producer of organic cereals. We will import only those ingredients that do not grow locally, such as basmati rice and quinoa”. AbaFoods plans to introduce two new flavours this fall under its own brand: white corn and barley, both grown at neighbouring farms. This white corn is in the slow food list, is nutritious and grows in theVenetto region, where we want to support more organic farming conversion”.
With a growing aging population, awareness of preventive healthcare and the search for foods that may keep consumers away from high bills at the doctor, functional Foods and beverages expect being less vulnerable to the economic downturn., and cereal beverages as long as they are produced with the highest nutrient integrity and quality are expected to stay among the hottest food products in the next years.
