Innovazione

☕ Rhea introduced two innovative vending solutions at Vendex Midlands, an essential event for the vending industry in the UK. The rhFS1 features leaf tea preparation with unique induction heating technology, ensuring optimal infusion temperature and energy efficiency. Additionally, the rhFS2.milk offers a variety of drinks using fresh milk or plant-based alternatives, employing Varitherm induction technology for superior cup quality and energy savings compared to traditional machines with boilers. Both machines cater to premium and sustainable consumer experiences, aligning with British consumers' expectations of high-quality beverage experiences. Rhea's CEO Andrea Pozzolini and Rheavendors UK's Managing Director Steve Rossington highlighted the commitment to combining tradition and technology to enhance break times.

💰 Vivid, a financial platform, has evolved into an all-in-one business travel solution within its app. It offers hotel bookings today, with co-working spaces by Mindspace and train and air tickets to be added shortly. Gianluigi Girardi, Vivid's country manager for Italy, highlights that this tool exceeds banking, aiding entrepreneurs in financial management and travel organization without booking or subscription fees. Users benefit from up to 30% cashback on each booking without limits.

🏆 Prestigious "Elected Product of the Year" Innovation Award 2025 edition celebrates Italian market excellence, based on votes from 12,000+ consumers through Circana research. Brands like LIMMI (B&G SRL) in "Seasonings," Findus in "Frozen Seafood," Ferrero in "Frozen Croissants" and "Ice Cream," Barilla in "Pasta," and Citterio in "Deli Meats" won. LIMMI impressed 63% of consumers with RPET packaging innovation; Findus leads with 100% certified sustainable seafood products in a €500 million market; Ferrero's Nutella Croissant and Gelato marked their entry into frozen and ice cream markets; Barilla's Al Bronzo pasta honored for traditional quality; Citterio's Sofficette BIS offers high-quality, gluten-free, lactose-free deli options.

🍷 Bottega botlé, an innovative digital wine shop in Bologna, is set to officially debut at Vinitaly. Founded by Gaetano Lanza, the format merges enogastronomic tradition with advanced technology. Opened less than a year ago on Via Marsala 13/c, it's already planning expansion to Tokyo, Madrid, Alicante, San Francisco, and Porto. Bottega botlé offers a "Degustazione informata" (informed tasting) through Rewine®, the first completely Italian-made enological infotainment system, available in seven languages. Customers use a tablet to access detailed wine and producer information, play the "Sommelier Game," and serve themselves from four automatic dispensers. The wine-tasting experience is enhanced by local culinary pairings, and the format is designed to be accessible for young entrepreneurs with its high-profit potential and reasonable investment.

🌽 Carapelli Firenze, esteemed for its extra virgin olive oil, employs a meticulous production process including prime material selection, strategic agreements, professional taste evaluations certified by the Ministry, high-quality standards, and advanced packaging technologies. Recently, they introduced a blockchain-based supply chain monitoring system, enabling consumers to trace the product journey with a QR code scan. "Il Nobile," their first oil with this traceability, adheres to the sustainable Italian Olive Oil Supply Chain (FOOI) and Intertek's production protocol. The QR code initiative will expand to all Carapelli's 100% Italian products, reinforcing its market leadership in quality, sustainability, and traceability.

🍪 Gruppo Bauli aims for innovation in the bakery market, releasing new year-round pandoro products like Pandorì, available in March, with variants including unfilled, milk cream-filled, and cocoa dough with chocolate cream. Chief Marketing Officer Luca Casaura emphasizes the need to anticipate consumer trends for competitive advantage. Bauli's growth strategy, through product innovation, geographic expansion, and new channels, targets reaching €1 billion in revenue by 2030.

☕ From March 2025, Egro MoDe will introduce hardware updates including iSteam Pro and new fridge configurations, alongside innovative software functions for Horeca activities. Features like Fresh Water Bypass, suited for iced coffee beverages, Quick Restart for reduced service time, and Boiler Priority for customizing machine use are highlighted. The iSteam Pro allows precision milk frothing with adjustable temperature and foam consistency, storing unlimited recipes. The Fresh Water Bypass cools coffee efficiently for cold drinks, and Quick Restart omits the standard coffee circuit rinse on startup. Boiler Priority sets heating priority between coffee and steam boilers, enhancing performance based on usage. The under-unit FUM refrigerator and MK6 Pro Milk fridge with milk level sensor offer installation flexibility.

💸 Acqua Sant’Anna SpA, market leader in mineral waters, won the Milano Marketing Festival Award 2025 for the Water Category at the 9th edition of the Milano Marketing Festival. Founded nearly 30 years ago by Alberto Bertone, now President and CEO, the company exemplifies dynamic entrepreneurship and effective strategies. With a turnover of €320 million, the company's cutting-edge, high-tech facility in Vinadio (CN) has consistently updated technologies and expanded production capacities. Additionally, the national leader has initiated international growth, including the acquisition of French brand Eau Neuve.

🍷 Production of de-alcoholized wines in Italy is expected to increase by 60% in 2025 compared to 2024, with "zero alcohol" products dominating 83% of this sector. The Osservatorio dei vini dealcolati di Uiv-Vinitaly revealed these promising trends. Paolo Castelletti, UIV Secretary General, highlighted positive effects of the December decree on production. Key conferences will be held during Vinitaly in VeronaFiere, April 6-9, 2025, focusing on the “Zero alcohol” market and innovative production technologies.

🛫 Qantas set to revolutionize long-haul flights with Project Sunrise in 2027, offering the first non-stop 'ultra long haul' flights from Sydney to London and New York. CEO Vanessa Hudson announced the service, initially planned for 2025, will start with the arrival of the first of 12 ordered A350-1000 aircraft. Flight durations will vary between 20 to 22 hours. Qantas previously experimented with the Perth-London route, the company's longest until Project Sunrise takes off.