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Cama Group discusses recent trends in the coffee packaging industry, and why all-in-one units are needed more than ever.
Demands and expectations for the packaging of coffee are constantly evolving. For packaging machinery manufacturer Cama Group, this is nothing new.
Cama Group Key Account Coffee Industry Manager Renato Dell’Oro says surveying the coffee industry for new preferences in the packaging stage of production is part of the job.
“There are trends on the market that we have to be compatible with,” Dell’Oro says. “Flexibility is a priority for our customers because the market is forever changing. Often, they have alternate targets so they need different configurations or counts in the boxes.”
Dell’Oro says more customers are factoring in environmental concerns when planning their coffee packaging.
“Nowadays, one of the major trends is material reduction,” he says. “Carbon reduction is important, and all parts of the supply chain can give their contribution to this.”
Cama helps minimise carbon emissions by using efficient motors and reducing the usage of compressed air and adopting the latest pneumatic components. For coffee capsules in particular, Dell’Oro says a return to original materials in the packaging world has become more common in recent years.
“There is a comeback [in market preference] towards using aluminium because it is a more environmentally-friendly option,” he says. “For us, this is good because we are aluminium experts.”
Cama Group is beginning to experiment with how its flagship capsule packaging monoblock IF 318 machine can cooperate with more sustainable materials.
“Many customers are moving towards using recycled or thinner cartons, so we have to find a compromise between carton quality and machine operations in order to keep up with efficiency,” says Dell’Oro.
The IF 318, used in all the industries Cama Group serves, is a representation of how the company has evolved over time to adjust to market demands while staying true to its successful heritage.
“Our history in handling aluminium capsules at high speed dates back to first projects with Nespresso where we started in capsules,” says Dell’Oro. “When we approached other projects with Nespresso compatibles in plastic and bio-based materials, we simply adopted the same [packaging] technology we had before, giving extra care and setting a new level in produce handling.”
Dell’Oro says the voices of clients were at the forefront of Cama Group’s team’s minds when designing the IF 318.
“The IF 318 machine is absolutely an answer to customer needs. Its development was driven by the market and by our clients,” he says.
“In the beginning, the first machines were side loading machines, and then with the evolution of the market and new packaging styles were required, we had to switch to a top loading solution which is more flexible. It’s not that top loading is new and side loading is old, but top loading is just more versatile.
“It is a solution where we combine a box forming machine, robotic product loading, dispensers, and a box closing all in one machine. It has multiple purposes in terms of loading patterns of the capsules.”
In saying this, Dell’Oro says side loading was and is, the most effective solution to handle and pack capsules in carton tubes in high-speed packaging lines.
“It is good to work with side loading capsules,” he says. “It is faster and very effective, but it is not as flexible as when you can use robots to pick up the capsules [and place them into the right configuration].
“Eighty per cent of our projects involve top loading because it allows for higher flexibility, however nowadays we have a good number of enquires on side loading because of the impact of Nespresso compatibles.”
In response to constant customer changes and to provide an alternate to traditional side-loading technology, Cama Group has also proposed its All-in-One machine, an evolution of its monoblock model, specifically for the coffee industry to pack all possible formats from nested capsules to those with carton interleaves or separators.
“The new All-in-One machine can make a tube or any kind of configuration so that the customer is not obliged to buy two different machines,” Dell’Oro says.
Dell’Oro says the All-in-One gives users the chance to use the same machine to load the capsules into multiple formats.
Regardless of the machine preference, Dell’Oro says Cama Group has an option to suit all customer needs and uses its market expertise to guide them into the best possible outcome.
“Based on our experience, we show different box configurations in order to work with [the client’s] marketing department, and together with our packaging department, we can define what is the best way to move forward,” he says.
Usability is one of the key drivers behind the machine’s engineering stage. Dell’Oro says Cama Group strives to make its machines easy to use for anyone in the coffee industry, regardless of professional background.
“A good machine is a machine that protects itself from human mistakes. One of the more common requests is ‘easy-to-use machines’ because customers may invest lots of money on our machines to have engineers use it, but we need to accommodate anyone who may need to access it,” Dell’Oro says.
He adds that tutorial videos have become a recent priority for Cama Group to further aid the customers’ operational knowledge of the equipment and help visualise how the machine works before beginning any operations.
“Simulation is important to us, both in the engineering phase and with the final product,” Dell’Oro says.
Just as Cama Group has evolved its IF 318 robotised monoblock top loading unit and released its All-in-One machine, Dell’Oro says the company will continue to innovate and grow by investing in new machines and constantly upgrading older designs.
“Every year, Cama Group invests 5 per cent of its turnover into research and development, which leads to more machine upgrades that will allow the company to work better with different materials,” he says.
Through this, Cama is investing in a new research and development building which is three times larger than its current department, while also committing to hiring new staff.
“This is possible because we are a solid company that can benefit from economic cycles, growing fast when the market is pushing, and getting ready for the new step by investing in infrastructure when the market slows down,” Dell’Oro says.
For more information, visit camagroup.com
This article was first published in the September/October 2023 edition of Global Coffee Report. Read more HERE.


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Microsoft's online store in India was hacked on Sunday, resulting in the theft of usernames and passwords of the site's customers.
A Chinese group of hackers calling itself Evil Shadow Team took credit for the hack, posting screenshots of obscured usernames and passwords that it found unencrypted on the site, according to Reuters. The group touted the attack on its own blog (here's an English translation). posting a screenshot of the hacked Web site with the message: "Unsafe system will be baptized."
Microsoft has since taken down the hacked site and replaced it with a message telling users that "The Microsoft Store India is currently unavailable. Microsoft is working to restore access as quickly as possible."
Microsoft confirmed the news in the following statement sent to CNET:
Microsoft is investigating the limited compromise of the company's online store in India. Customers have been notified and provided with guidance to reset their passwords. We are diligently working to remedy the incident and keep our customers protected.Related stories:
Since the passwords were stored in clear text and not encrypted, customers who've purchased items through the site are at risk.
A report in the Times of India is advising users to change their passwords as soon as the site comes back online. And if they've used the same credentials at other sites, they're urged to change those as well.
No details were revealed as to why the group targeted Microsoft's Indian site or how they hacked their way in. But unencrypted passwords are highly valued by hackers, who can frequently use them to break into other--sometimes more vital--accounts if users have reused their passwords (as they all-too frequently do). It also shows a surprising lack of security for a company like Microsoft.
But a comment in a story by AFP says that "Indian IT specialists have long lamented what they say is a lack of awareness about Internet security across the country."
Updated 10:30 a.m. PT with response from Microsoft.

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CHS makes another investment in Brazil, buying Atman
CHS Inc. continues to invest in Brazil, announcing Wednesday that it has bought Brazilian grain distribution company Atman.
Terms of the deal were not announced.
It's the the third deal that Inver Grove Heights-based CHS (Nasdaq: CHSCP) has made in Brazil this year. In May it bought 25 percent of TCN, a logistics company founded by NovaAgri. Last month it bought 50 percent of Andali, a provider of fertilizer storage and blending services.
"CHS is steadily and strategically expanding its South American grain and crop nutrients business. As part of CHS, Atman will accelerate our growth," Stefano Rettore, senior vice president of CHS South America, said in a statement. "CHS is committed to the long-term growth and development of its commodities business in Brazil and across the region."
>Click here to read the company's news release.
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Google hasn’t officially shared a lot of details about the new phones just yet.
But based on the little information Google has provided, plus previous releases and rumours that are circulating online, we are starting to get more of an idea of what to expect from the next-gen phones.
Find out what we know–and what we can expect, from the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro below.
Google Pixel 7 specs
An early look at the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro reveals that they are powered by the next-gen Google Tensor processor, and are “made to show you what Android 13 can do.”
According to Google, the phones will “bring even more helpful, personalised features to photos, videos, security, and speech recognition.”
The design is fairly similar to the Pixel 6–the Pixel 7 has two cameras and the Pixel 7 Pro has three.
It is thought that the Pixel 7 could have a screen size of 6.2 inches, while the Pro could be slightly bigger, at 6.8 inches, as reported by Tech Advisor.
Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro release date rumours
Google has said that the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are “coming this autumn.”
The Pixel 6 was released on October 28, 2021, while the Pixel 5 was released on October 15, 2020. The Pixel 4 was released on October 14, 2019, and the Pixel 3 was released on October 9, 2018. The Pixel 2 was released on October 19, 2017, and the Pixel was released on October 20, 2016.
Based on previous releases, we can expect the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro to be released in October.
However, Tech Radar reported that a source said panel shipments are beginning a month early, so the phones could arrive in September.
Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro price rumours
The Pixel 6 costs £599 and the Pixel 6 Pro costs £849, so it is expected that the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro will fall into a similar range.


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Just five years after introducing the blockbuster console, the Wii is getting a big brother. Presenting -- the Wii U.
The Japanese gaming giant said Tuesday that the successor to the Wii video game console will broadcast high-definition video as well as a new controller that detects motion. Unlike the last generation Wii though, this new controller also sports a touchscreen with the ability to broadcast video.
Nintendo Co. revealed Wii U during the Electronic Entertainment Expo.
"Up until now, home console games had to occupy the TV screen in order to be played," said Nintendo president Satoru Iwata. "The new controller for Wii U, with its 6.2-inch screen built in, means you won't need to give up your gameplay when someone else comes in the room and wants to watch a TV program."
The white 6.2-inch touchscreen controller features a directional pad, microphone, dual analog sticks, two speakers, pairs of shoulder buttons and a front-facing camera.
The console itself will use proprietary high-definition optical discs, 1080p HDMI output and internal memory that can be upgraded with USB technology. Nintendo says Wii U will be compatible with Wii games and controllers and the system will be released between April and December next year.
The price of the new system was not announced.
The company has been looking to recharge growth after an extended sales slump, as the initial rush for the original Wii has died down while their new 3D handheld, the 3DS was viewed as an overall disappointment.
Nintendo showed only early game concepts that could get the most out of the new touchscreen controller.
"This is going to be able to create what I call a new format or new structure of entertainment," Mr. Iwata told the Wall Street Journal in an interview prior to the E3 presentation. "By taking advantage of this new structure of entertainment, great new ideas can be popped up by developers."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Maybe it's time to hold off on the Apple negativity.
The iPhone franchise captured 39 percent of the U.S. smartphone market in the first quarter, extending its lead over Samsung, which garnered 21.7 percent of the market, according to research firm ComScore.
Interestingly, Apple's iOS took market share away from Google's Android, which traditionally has seen more rapid growth.
Apple saw its smartphone market share rise by nearly 3 percentage points in the quarter, while Samsung's share inched up slightly. The next three largest handset vendor, HTC, Motorola, and LG, all lost market share in the period.
The first quarter was fairly quiet when it came to new smartphones hitting the market, with heavy hitters such as the
As a result, it appears the incumbents continued to flourish, giving the edge to the
The numbers come as Apple continues to get hit with concern that the company has lost its edge, and that it won't be able to continue the torrid pace of growth it has enjoyed for the last several years. In addition, there's an increasing view that the competition, particularly Samsung, has caught up.
But the first-quarter results show Apple still has some mojo left, although it may fade in the second quarter as several high-profile phones go on sale.
Google's Android remains the largest platform, with 52 percent of the market, although it lost more than 1 percentage point of market share. Microsoft's Windows Phone was the only other gainer, inching up to 2.9 percent.


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UNDATED - Proposed new warning labels for cigarette packages and advertisements could shock consumers into facing the health dangers of smoking.
The FDA is working to modify the required warnings that appear on cigarette packages and in advertisements. According to the FDA, these new required warnings would consist of nine new textual warning statements accompanied by color graphics depicting the negative health consequences of smoking.
The Tobacco Control Act requires the FDA to issue its final regulations by June 22, 2011. The new health warnings would take effect 15 months after issuance of this final rule.
The FDA is asking the public to weigh-in on its decision beginning Friday, November 12, 2010 through Tuesday, January 11, 2011.
According to the FDA's website you can submit an official comment by:
- Go to www.regulations.gov and insert docket number FDA-2010-N-0568 into the "search" box and follow the prompts.
- Send a fax, with your comments, to 301-827-6870.
- Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions) to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
The website notes that all comments should be identified by Docket ID No. FDA-2010-N-0568, and says it's only necessary to send one set of comments.


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UPDATE: This story has been updated to include a comment from Protect Our Restaurants.
The Department of Justice has approved Uber Eats’ deal to acquire Postmates, after the agency asked to take a closer look at the agreement for potential antitrust violations.
It will bring together two of the country’s largest food delivery companies, consolidating the industry to three major players: Uber Eats/Postmates, DoorDash and Grubhub. That prompted the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission to request additional information in September as it investigated whether the move could hurt competition in the space. However, the agencies ended that inquiry early, and the deal can now proceed.
Protect Our Restaurants, a group advocating for more regulation of third-party delivery companies, criticized the decision in a statement Tuesday.
“This decision by the Department of Justice will only tighten the incredible squeeze restaurant owners like us are already experiencing every day,” the group said. “Allowing Uber to acquire Postmates is a failure by the DOJ to protect the needs of small business owners and the communities we support. Small businesses across the country will need President-elect Biden to take a new approach to deals like this.”
Uber’s Tuesday filing also contained some information for restaurants that use Postmates and might be wondering how the deal will affect them: After the acquisition closes, Uber Eats will waive exclusive agreements between Postmates and about 800 restaurants in 11 markets. That opens the door for Uber Eats to partner with those restaurants in the future, but it said it won’t do that until six months after close.
Those markets are Bellingham, Wash.; Charleston, S.C.; El Paso, Texas; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; Nashville; New Orleans; Orlando; Tampa Bay; and western Arizona.
Uber Eats has said it plans to use Postmates to bolster its market share out West, where Postmates has a strong presence.
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Will Britons really pay £4,500 for Gwynnie’s Wellness Weekender? US fans have lapped it up, and now the star's roadshow is heading to London
- Gwyneth Paltrow is bringing her exclusive Goop summit to London in June
- The actress's two day conference promotes her lifestyle brand
- Tickets for the summit cost £1,000, while the two-night event is price at £4,500
- It includes wellness workshops, facials as well a beauty and wellness gift bag
Fancy having your aura photographed or quaffing a collagen martini?
Or perhaps a crystal meditation session followed by a drink of ‘sex juice’?
Then Gwyneth Paltrow’s latest venture may be for you – if you have £4,500 to spare.
That is what the top-priced tickets cost at the actress’s exclusive Goop summit in London.
Miss Paltrow’s bizarre conferences promoting her lifestyle brand have proved a sell-out in the United States, so she is bringing the ‘immersive’ experience to the UK next month.
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is bringing her exclusive Goop summit to London in June (Gwyneth at the Goop Health Summit Los Angeles in May 2019)
For £4,500, fans can grab a Wellness Weekender pass that includes two nights at the Kimpton Fitzroy hotel in Bloomsbury, a VIP workout session with celebrity personal trainer Tracy Anderson and Friday night cocktails – likely to include Goop’s famous ‘collagen martini’ of vodka, olive juice, vermouth and collagen peptides, said to renew skin tissues.
If the price is too steep, a summit pass for the event, at Re:Centre in Hammersmith on June 29 and 30, can be obtained for £1,000.
This gives access to wellness workshops, facials, unlimited organic foods and a ‘swag-loaded gift bag packed with beauty and wellness gear’.
However, following complaints that the high prices have made the event inaccessible, Goop is now offering some Sunday sessions for between £30 and £100.
Topics range from ‘thinking’ and ‘fertility myths’ to ‘paradigm-shifting’ and ‘crystal meditation’.
Goop claims there will be ‘chats with cutting-edge doctors and scientists, thought leaders, and some of the women (and men) who inspire us the most’.
Tickets for the two day summit are priced at £1,000. Meanwhile the Wellness Weekender pass will set attendees back £4,500 for two-night event (Gwyneth at the Goop Health Summit Los Angeles in May 2019)
It adds: ‘There’ll be restorative classes and intimate workshops – for the spirit, for the body, for the mind and for beauty – plus our signature retail hall, food and drinks.’
Aura-reading involves having a picture taken with a camera that illuminates the normally invisible electromagnetic field around the body – it is claimed that the colours tell you about you personality, energy and character.
‘Sex juice’, made with watermelon and ‘alkaline’ water is claimed to ‘ignite your creative energy, in and out of the bedroom’.
Miss Paltrow, 46, who will appear at the event, launched Goop in 2008. It has since grown into a £200million business but has been ridiculed for some of its controversial claims, such as linking under-wires in bras to breast cancer.
Miss Paltrow, 46 (pictured), who will appear at the event, launched Goop in 2008. It has since grown into a £200million business but has been ridiculed for some of its controversial claims, such as linking under-wires in bras to breast cancer
Last year it was fined £111,000 after making claims that its £50 Jade Egg would improve female energy if kept in the vagina all day. Experts said it was ‘ridiculous and dangerous’.
Goop was also derided when it promoted £90 stickers, made from the same material as Nasa space suits, to be stuck on the arm to ‘rebalance energy frequency in our bodies’.
Last year Goop was fined £111,000 after making claims that its £50 Jade Egg (pictured) would improve female energy if kept in the vagina all day. Experts said it was ‘ridiculous and dangerous’
One of Miss Paltrow’s biggest controversies was when she revealed that she lets bees sting her to fade scars on her skin and reduce inflammation in ‘a thousands-of-years-old treatment’.
The Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology reported that a 55-year-old woman in Spain died from such a treatment and said proof of the procedure’s benefits were ‘limited’.
If the Goop summit is not for you, there is always Glastonbury, where £13,495 gets you a three-bedroom ‘Tenthouse Suite’ with porch, shower and flushing toilet. Or for £3,145 you can enjoy five nights at the festival in a luxury yurt.
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