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Nathalie Lion Haddad has been named Chief People Officer of the Permasteelisa Group, effective today. A Human Resources executive with more than 20 years’ international experience, Nathalie has a track record of leading cultural, organisational and leadership transformation in diverse global business contexts across the oil and gas, electronics and mining industries. Born in France and now living in London, she studied English Language and Business at the Sorbonne University in Paris. She has lived and worked around the world in West and North Africa, Dubai, Madagascar and Canada for leading organisations including BHP Billiton, LG Electronics, Sherritt International Corporation and Golden Star Resources, before setting up her own consulting and coaching business. Nathalie joins the Permasteelisa Group in this new position having operated for the business as an independent consultant since early 2023, supporting the Executive Leadership Team with executing its global transformation plan." She comments: “I am delighted to take up this position and look forward to continuing to partner with our talented teams globally to cultivate an environment that empowers and inspires our employees and unlocks our collective potential." “Permasteelisa is a leader in its field, and this is an exciting time for the organisation, with an opportunity to become the go-to employer of choice not only in its industry, but within the global construction industry as a whole.” She will report directly to Permasteelisa’s Group CEO, Liam Cummins and joins him on the Executive Committee. Liam comments: “Nathalie has supported the Group since early 2023 and has made a fantastic contribution. I am pleased to welcome her officially to our business and as a member of my Executive Leadership Team." “Our people are the driving force behind our success and Nathalie will continue to partner with our leadership team, to ensure we have the right strategies and initiatives in place to support our employee growth and foster an environment of excellence.” Nathalie’s key focus areas will include overseeing all aspects of the employee experience while placing increased emphasis on inclusion, diversity and wellbeing and accelerating leadership and organisational development. Permasteelisa Group is the leading global contractor in the design, engineering, project management, manufacture, installation and after-sales service of technically advanced building envelopes. www.permasteelisagroup.com

A new centre for baby loss which recently opened in Birmingham, has taken delivery of a CuddleCot worth £2k thanks to a donation funded by DRD Capital in Birmingham. The special refrigerated cot has been presented to the newly opened Woodland House at Birmingham Women’s Hospital, by The Luca Foundation. The CuddleCots are designed to act like a refrigerator to keep the body cold which allows the parents to have up to a week with their baby and, if they wish to, even take them home with that equipment. Sharon Luca-Chatha’s life was turned upside down in June 2012 when she lost her precious son to stillbirth at 36 weeks. Since then she has gone on to give the ‘gift of time’ to more than 3,000 grieving families and donated and repaired more than 120 CuddleCots for maternity units, neonatal intensive care units and paediatric wards through her award-winning Luca Foundation . Sharon is driven by her vision to fund enough cuddle cots to service every maternity unit throughout the UK and then turn her attentions to cuddle blankets, for under 18s. She said: “A CuddleCot will give the families the ‘gift of time’ with their baby that they would not otherwise have. When a baby dies, there is a lot of information to take in, forms to sign, post-mortem to discuss etc. therefore the extra time is very much needed to take in all that has happened and the trauma that comes with that." “It is instrumental for the mental health of the parents and family, often including young siblings, for the grieving process to start with their baby in their arms. The long-term effects of not having a CuddleCot, such as in my case, can lead to chronic illness from the trauma of not having enough time with your baby." "For me, four years later, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which led to me grieving the loss of my health, successful career and independence, along with my never-ending grief for my son." “I am still working through this trauma with EMDR therapy, but the anger of what happened to us is the fire within me that wants to ensure all parents in these tragic dark times have access to a working CuddleCot, something I wish I had had.” Woodland House, which was built at the side of Birmingham Women’s Hospital, cares for over 2,000 grieving parents every year who have lost a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. The £3m centre – the first of its kind in the UK – was funded over three years by donations and corporate sponsorship. It is designed to be a safe haven in which families can grieve, away from the maternity ward. The Luca Foundation has is now hoping to raise further funds and awareness at the charity’s second Gala Dinner, on May 11th. This year’s event at Birmingham’s Park Regis Hotel, is being hosted by comedian Tommy Sandhu and MC Sandra Godley OBE and includes a welcome glass of fizz, three-course meal and dancing to a DJ. A raffle and auction on the night will help further boost funds, one of the top prizes including a private dinner for four people cooked in your own home by 2021 Masterchef winner Dan Lee, from Birmingham. Venture capital firm DRD Capital is also headline sponsor for this event. Any businesses that would like to donate a raffle or auction prize or get involved as a sponsor, can contact Sharon here .

Over 250 staff, students and people from the local community joined Leicester College for the first-ever Big Iftaar event, held at the Abbey Park Campus. Leicester College partnered with The City Retreat to host the ‘Big Iftaar’, which celebrated Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. At the event, Shaykh Shafi Chowdhury from The City Retreat spoke about the importance of Ramadan to Muslims. The Adhaan (call to prayer) was delivered from the rooftop of the Abbey Park Campus building, with a congregation for Maghrib Salah – the prayer for sunset - for both men and women. Staff and students from the College then served free Iftaar meals – a meal eaten at sunset during Ramadan to break the day’s fast. The event was sponsored by One Nation and The Empire Hall, and fundraised £200 for humanitarian aid. Verity Hancock, Principal at Leicester College, said: “We were delighted that so many people from the local community were able to join our staff and students, of all faiths, to celebrate this important date in the Islamic holy month.” Shaykh Shafi from The City Retreat, added: “We would like to extend our gratitude to Leicester College for hosting this first Big Iftaar. It was a wonderful event, bringing together so many different people to celebrate Ramadan with us.”

Top ten accountancy and advisory firm Azets has appointed a new Tax Partner as the firm seeks to develop an additional service offering. Nick Cullen has been named as UK head of the recently launched transfer pricing team, which is set to challenge the Big Six firms. He has 15 years’ experience in delivering transfer pricing solutions for a range of clients from FTSE100 companies to owner-managed businesses (OMBs). Nick joins Azets, the UK’s specialist business advisor to SMEs, after six years in a transfer pricing director development role at BDO, based in Leeds, and previously worked at PwC in a variety of tax roles. He said: “This is a perfect challenge for me, both in terms of career development and in being at the forefront of setting up a new offering for such a progressive firm as Azets." “What also appealed to me was that Azets is very much a national business, with senior people across all regions. Being able to offer a full breadth of transfer pricing services will enhance our ability to service larger, international clients and strengthens our position as a credible alternative to the larger firms.” Leeds-based Nick is building a national team to include members located across the country and will be aiming to build awareness of the new offering both internally and externally. More specifically, Nick will assist clients with: Understanding the levels of supportable debt for Private Equity portfolio companies. Dealing with transfer pricing tax disputes. Ensuring that transfer pricing operating models are aligned with operational substance, and value creation. Supporting on implementation, documentation and operational aspects of transfer pricing operating models. Since the launch of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2013, transfer pricing has increasingly become a hot topic for international groups. This, in turn, has resulted in transfer pricing being high on the agenda for many stakeholders in businesses. With the appointment of Nick, Azets can now offer a key service to its larger client base that is crucial in maintaining compliance across their global footprint. Nick added: “Transfer pricing is a complex area and our clients, ranging from groups who are just setting out on their international expansion, to larger and more established businesses, require support and advice to ensure that they remain compliant with transfer pricing rules across their global footprint.” Becky Maguire, Office Managing Partner for Azets in Leeds, said: “Nick is an important addition to our national and regional tax team and will be a crucial part of our growth strategy in the coming years." “He has a deep understanding of the implementation and functional aspects of transfer pricing operating models as well as being an expert in thin cap analyses particularly in the private equity and leveraged buy-out market." “He has hit the ground running and is busy building up his team, who will be a perfect addition to our locally delivered personalised client service offering in the UK.”

A former headteacher whose son registered her business on Companies House without her knowledge is now the creator of an award-winning Scottish craft gin. Collymoon Craft Gin’s Gealach Úr Scottish Dry Gin recently won the Bronze Medal Award for Scotland in the London Dry Gin category at the World Gin Awards in January. The gin, which has a unique blend of Scottish botanicals, boasts citrus notes with a hint of spice and floral flavours. Colymoon Craft Gin is the brainchild of former headteacher, Nicola Finney, who had a long-held dream of launching her own gin and spirits brand. In 2021, Nicola left her career in education and returned to Scotland after 30 years living in Staffordshire, on a mission to turn her vision into a reality. Her son, Cameron, motivated Nicola to take first official step on her business journey by registering the business on Companies House without her knowledge. Buoyed by the support of her family and friends, Nicola spent the next 18 months learning about foraging and botanicals, flavour profiles and the distillation process so she could get off to the best possible start. A family affair, Nicola also involved the rest of her children in her business journey, with her eldest son Ben designing the business’ logo, and her youngest son Kieran, a mixologist, creating perfect serves and cocktail recipes, including a negroni and a dry martini. Looking for advice on how to get her business off to the best start possible, Nicola accessed a suite of Business Gateway’s start-up support services, including one-to-one support from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on her business plan, funding, premises and marketing. Through Business Gateway, Nicola was put in touch with a digital expert who carried out an audit of her website, ensuring it was as user-friendly as possible. Nicola also learned about methods to optimise her search performance to market her product to her target audience. As well as selling online, Collymoon Craft Gin is now stocked in a range of hotels and B&Bs, including The Inn at Aberfoyle and the Black Bull in Gartmore. Nicola is now developing flavours for her next batch of gin products, which will include a navy strength edition, as well a fig, orange and vanilla gin. Nicola Finney, founder and owner, Collymoon Craft Gin, said: “I’ve always liked gin, and always had a hankering for setting up my own business, but was a bit apprehensive about jumping in at the deep end. I still can’t believe that my first product is award-winning." “Business Gateway has been a massive support throughout the process of setting up my business. Having my adviser on the end of the phone has given me a real confidence boost, knowing that I’m not alone in this process.” Linda Letford, Business Gateway Stirling’s expert Food, Drink and Tourism adviser said: “Collymoon Craft Gin has seen great success since launching, which is testament to Nicola’s hard work and passion for her product. I’m very much looking forward to watching where the business goes next.”

As the days will get longer and brighter with the clocks going forward recently, cyclists across the UK are gearing up for the new season. With stunning landscapes from rocky coastlines to peaceful countryside, there is a variety of cycling routes suitable for all skill levels. These routes not only showcase beautiful scenery across England, Scotland, and Wales, promising an unforgettable experience for all, but also provide a glimpse into the country's rich history. James Whitten, Marketing Manager at cycleGuard says: “With cycling seeing a surge in popularity as a sustainable and healthy way to explore the great outdoors, there's never been a better time to saddle up and discover the beauty of the UK's diverse landscapes.” Leading cycle and e-bike insurer cycleGuard shares their favourite cycling routes in the UK. The Camel Trail - Cornwall The Camel Trail in Cornwall is a great choice for a family day out, providing tons of pleasant cycling, and fun sights to keep the whole family entertained along the way. Although this track is a little more relaxing and may be less about the physical challenge, it will certainly keep cyclists fit and happy. The trail runs through a disused railway line, beginning in Padstow and taking riders through the scenic Cornish countryside. The entire trail is 29 kilometres long, but the route can be shortened according to individual needs. One of the best parts of this ride is that it is almost entirely free of any traffic, providing a calm day of exploration. The Settle Circular - Yorkshire The Settle Circular is a track the more seasoned rider will appreciate, consisting of 62 kilometres beginning in Settle, Yorkshire. Yorkshire is a location that has long been popular with cyclists, especially after the Tour de France sped through the region over three days in 2014. The area has so much to attract cyclists, from the challenging climbs as they dip in and out of hills and valleys, to many quaint villages that will interest them along the way. This loop passes through Kilnsey and Arncliffe, which are great places for a quick pit stop. While the views of Pen-y-Ghent and Pendle Hill will make the tired legs feel even more worthwhile. Assynt Achiltibuie Circuit - Highlands Not one for the faint-hearted, the great Assynt Achiltibuie Circuit will generally take up a full day of cycling. As cycling continues to be one of the most popular forms of fitness, tracks across the UK are becoming busier and busier. However, for those wanting to experience the feeling of riding a road that appears reserved solely for them, this circuit is one of the quietest and most tranquil roads. The peaceful highland road is surrounded by stunning nature and a spectacular mountainous backdrop. The track offers glimpses of the coast and the great landmark, Ardvreck Castle. “Whether you are a professional cyclist or just starting out, these routes offer a chance to challenge yourself, spend time outdoors and fuel your hobby” adds Whitten.

A recent comprehensive survey conducted by PAB Group across South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands has unveiled critical insights into how businesses are navigating the challenges posed by language and cultural barriers. The findings reveal that a significant majority of businesses have encountered language barriers that adversely affected their operations and led to missed opportunities. Despite these challenges, businesses are actively seeking and utilising professional translation services and are unanimous in their recognition of the importance of language and cultural competencies. The survey was undertaken by PAB SEMA4 – a dedicated division of the PAB Group, specialising in supporting international trade through targeted services and expertise. A notable insight from the survey is the proactive approach businesses are taking towards multilingual communications and marketing materials, with many leveraging professional translation services and in-house resources. The desire for comprehensive services, including intercultural communication training and language skill development workshops, highlights the broader recognition of the need to effectively navigate cultural complexities. Iwona Lebiedowicz, founder of PAB Languages Centre, said: “We are committed to addressing these needs by offering a suite of services designed to empower businesses to overcome these barriers and succeed in the global market.” The survey across diverse business sectors revealed consistent concerns and insights regarding language and cultural barriers in business operations. It showed: A significant majority of respondents have encountered language barriers in their business operations. 100% of participants from South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and 80% in the East Midlands survey indicated facing such barriers. There's a notable impact on business opportunities due to language barriers, with 100% in Doncaster, 67% in Lincolnshire, and 50% in the East Midlands survey reporting lost opportunities. Over 60% of respondents are actively exploring new tools and AI technology to overcome these barriers, with 100% expressing concerns regarding privacy, copyrights, accuracy, and the risk to reputation from translation discrepancies. All respondents engage in international trade, underscoring the importance of addressing language barriers for business growth and expansion. The majority of businesses have used professional translation services, indicating a proactive approach to overcoming language barriers. The survey highlighted several aspects of cultural differences impacting business, including communication style, marketing strategies, and customer interactions, pointing to the complex nature of navigating global business environments. More than 100 businesses responded to the survey, which was carried out between 20th January and 20th March 2024. “This survey highlights the importance of how companies can miss out on business opportunities if they don’t address potential language and cultural barriers,” added Iwona. “Whether you're taking initial steps towards international expansion or looking to strengthen your presence in existing markets, PAB SEMA4 is your partner in achieving seamless and successful global engagement.” PAB Languages was founded in the East Midlands and now operates across the UK, with offices and Chamber of Commerce memberships in places such as Cambridgeshire, Boston in Lincolnshire, Doncaster and Sheffield in Yorkshire, and in Nottingham. PAB SEMA4 is at the forefront of providing dedicated services designed to empower exporters with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of international trade successfully. From comprehensive market research services covering 23 countries that pave the way for informed decision-making and streamlined overseas entry, to localisation strategies that ensure brands resonate with foreign markets, its offerings are tailored to support the growth of export business. Moreover, its cultural awareness and communication training equips individuals with the insights to understand and bridge cultural differences, enhancing competitiveness and effectiveness in the global marketplace. For more information visit www.pabsema4.co.uk .

In a business venture underscored by social responsibility, Leicester and its surrounding communities have welcomed new in-home care company Visiting Angels, led by Managing Director Ranjit Khunti and Registered Care Manager Hannah Flack. The duo, driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in people's lives, promise a fresh, innovative approach to in-home care, where every carer and client is treated with the utmost dignity and respect. As they embark on this new journey, they are poised to redefine what it means to provide quality care in the comfort of one’s home. Ranjit Khunti enjoyed a successful 20-year career in his family’s local clothing manufacturing business before transitioning to the care sector with Visiting Angels. Hannah meanwhile brings nearly two decades of experience in care to the operation, starting her career at 16 with individuals with learning disabilities before making the leap to elderly care. Inspired by her mother’s experience in the care sector, Hannah hopes to continue her legacy and passion for supporting the elderly to help Visiting Angels trailblaze in an area crying out for compassionate and out-front care provision. Hannah said: “During the pandemic, my grandma had to go into a care home. The care decisions ultimately fell to me. Despite my background in the sector, the challenge of caring for my own family member was unlike anything I’d ever faced. I was accustomed to caring for others, but making such a personal choice - especially during the pandemic - was the hardest decision of my life." "It’s given me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of what families go through in such heart-wrenching circumstances, which has spurred me on to provide that family level of sympathy and empathy to our clients and our carers here at Visiting Angels. I’m determined to make sure our carers feel safe and supported in the extremely challenging work they do, and that the families never feel alone in the process.” The UK’s care system is struggling, and too often failing, to meet the needs of the growing elderly population. With society’s needs becoming increasingly complex, care providers are now faced with the challenging task of ensuring carers are continually upskilled while providing financial and personal recognition. With caregiver turnover rising to 77% in 2023 for reasons such as low pay, poor working conditions or too much responsibility, Visiting Angels’ revitalised approach of caring for carers before anyone else is addressing the need to establish a strong, committed and highly skilled workforce. Through both financial rewards and opportunities for career development, Ranjit and the Visiting Angels team are determined to reform the care industry's conditions, which often leave carers feeling little to no appreciation. “I've been in Leicester since I came to England at 8 years old,” added Ranjit. “This city’s got my heart. I love the community here – it’s our town, and it feels like everyone belongs which is what I intend to project with Visiting Angels. This venture is driven by the desire to give independence back to those who need it most, and with my grandmother passing away during covid, Visiting Angels’ mission is so important to me on a personal level." "Visiting Angels is all about providing exceptional care while equally making carers feel the same level of love and respect. Whether it’s companionship, tailored healthcare or additional support, we intend to be there for everyone who needs us in the community. In the care industry, it’s often the case that carers have to rush from house to house through no fault of their own, but at Visiting Angels we want to make sure we have time for those real, meaningful moments. It's not just care; it's about making a real difference to people’s physical and mental health.”

The UK’s only fully electric-powered gardening business has been able to make new hires and grow its business operations after accessing support from Business Gateway. The Cycling Gardeners of Edinburgh, which offers a complete garden maintenance service delivered on cargo bikes by a team of independent gardeners, was founded in 2023 by Callum Ross, who wanted to combine his talent for gardening with his desire to be more sustainable. Callum, who previously worked as an Operations Manager in the events industry, was keen to reinvent the way gardeners operate in Scotland’s capital city. The business uses cargo bikes to travel and to transport materials and exclusively uses electric power tools. While the tools are more expensive than traditional petrol-powered tools, they are more sustainable, which chimes with the overall principle of the business. As well as its team of freelance gardeners, who are largely experienced horticulturalists, The Cycling Gardeners of Edinburgh is also hoping to employ young gardeners who may be new to the trade but who may not have their driving licence. The team has worked with local organisations Spokes, Sustrans, and the Cargobike Movement to increase their knowledge of cargo bikes. Looking for some inspiration on growing his business, Callum attended a Business Gateway-run Meet the Investors session where he was able to rehearse pitching his business and find out about the work Business Gateway does. It was this that inspired him to contact Business Gateway, and through that he met his adviser Jeff Hume. Business Gateway has supported The Cycling Gardeners of Edinburgh in a number of ways, including helping them to employ an Operations Manager using Edinburgh's Employer Recruitment Incentives (EERI) Scheme, using the research service to identify possible collaborations and improving their use of social media. Callum Ross, Founder of The Cycling Gardeners of Edinburgh said: “I’ve found that having a personal contact in Jeff has been so helpful, and I’m safe in the knowledge that he can give us solid advice. Business Gateway has also supported us in applying for grant funding which has been so helpful to help keep our operations afloat." “As a new business, it’s invaluable to have the support of Business Gateway and to know that they’re on the other end of a phone if you need.” Jeff Hume, Business Gateway adviser said: “It has been fantastic to support Callum and the team to create this unique idea and watch it come to life. They’ve been able to determine a great niche for their company and it’ll be wonderful to see it bloom into something even more special.”

Two new tenants have been announced for Bell Court for the spring and summer. For foodies, Beleza Rodizio will be bringing a Brazilian flavour to Stratford in its ‘all you can eat’ steakhouse menu that promises a ‘festival for the senses.’ Portuguese for ‘beauty,’ the name Beleza captures the essence of the rodizio-style steakhouse that is inspired by the colours and vibrancy of Brazil. Rodizio – or ‘rotation’ – refers to the way the gauchos rotate around the room with skewers of different grilled meats, stopping off at tables to carve. Legend has it that the rodizio style of service originates from a waiter mistakenly serving a meat skewer from the wrong side of the table but allowing the guest to take a small piece. Beleza’s heart is its grill. The most succulent meats, tangiest cheeses and freshest vegetables are slowly cooked in the open flame. Meat eaters can feast on up to fifteen of the finest cuts while vegetarians can choose from an abundance of mouth-watering salads, vegetables, cheeses, potatoes. Diners can complete their plate with traditional Brazilian and Argentinian hot and cold dishes from the all-you-can-eat self-serve salad bar. A spokesperson said: “We wanted to bring a taste of Brazil to Stratford’s Bell Court, and offer something unique that hasn’t been seen here before. Beleza is more than just a restaurant – it’s an experience. We chose the name because we think the experience of dining is simply beautiful." “From the moment you step through the door, you will be transported to a world of colour, fun and delicious food and cocktails. Visit: Bespoke kitchen and bathroom maker Hartley & Hall is due to open its new showroom in Bell Court next month. Using their own dedicated team of plumbers, electricians and flooring experts, Hartley & Hall offer a ‘start to finish’ service to manage the whole project, tailoring each build to the required design, time frame and budget. Visit: It’s also all change for the more familiar Corte Campana which relocates to a bigger space in Bell Court following its launch in summer 2022. Rich Jones, Centre Manager of Bell Court, said: “We’re over the moon to soon be welcoming two fabulous new additions to the Bell Court offering, meaning our units will be fully let. It again proves the rich diversity of businesses and services available to both locals and visitors.”

St Austell Brewery has been recognised at one of the top award ceremonies in hospitality. The business took home ‘Best Accommodation Operator’ at the Publican Awards last night - widely regarded as the pub industry ‘Oscars’. With 44 pubs in its managed estate, St Austell Brewery has over 500 rooms to offer in some of the South West’s most popular locations, from St Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly to Bath. The business has invested millions in refurbishing its accommodation over the past four years. Earlier this month, one of its biggest pub transformations to date - the Masons Arms in Branscombe, Devon - was named in the Sunday Times ‘100 Best Places to Stay in the UK’. Other recent investments include the Harbour Inn in Porthleven and the Rising Sun in St Mawes. The iconic Pier House in Charlestown, with 23 new-look bedrooms, is currently undergoing a full refurbishment and will be reopening this summer. Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won a Publican Award for our accommodation offer. This recognises all the hard work and commitment from our operations team and wider support teams, as we strive to make our pubs the best they can possibly be while delivering great experiences for our guests. It’s been a huge team effort, and I couldn’t be more proud." “We are lucky to operate pubs across the South West, one of the most beautiful regions in the UK. From coastal spots and rural escapes to city breaks, we have a wonderfully diverse estate. We are continuing to make significant investments into our pubs and our accommodation offer as it’s an extremely important part of our business. Providing the very best experiences we can for our guests, all year round, is right at the heart of that.”

A survey by Sapio Research, conducted on behalf of family run Celebration Packaging, has found that the vast majority (80%) of consumers are not familiar with ‘forever chemicals’ and the term PFAS. “When asked about the potential dangers of PFAS after being shown the definition, 96% of those surveyed stated that they were concerned about its potential dangers.” The man-made ‘forever chemicals’ called PFAS (per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common applications, from fast food packaging and non-stick cookware to firefighting foams and stain repellant chemicals for clothing and carpets. PFAS do not exist in nature and do not naturally degrade, which means they can end up contaminating groundwater for a very long time after their release into the environment. Research is ongoing to assess the risk to humans from a build-up of PFAS in the human body. There are concerns that in very badly polluted areas a large amount of PFAS could accumulate in the blood and cause cancers and infertility*. Concerns around PFAS have been in the public domain for quite some time. Denmark banned PFAS nearly two years ago and in the United States, 12 states have also announced bans. In addition, and following a six-month consultation period, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is developing a plan to reduce PFAS emissions into the environment and make products and processes safer for people. Consumer concerns about forever chemicals Celebration Packaging Managing Director Nick Burton says: “Our survey has found that the vast majority of consumers (80%) are not familiar with forever chemicals and the term PFAS. However, when informed about PFAS, some 96% of respondents stated that they were concerned about the potential dangers forever chemicals pose." The importance of certifications “Celebration Packaging has always invested in accreditations and certifications which we take very seriously, so that when we make environmental and sustainability claims, we can always back them up. This sets us apart from many of our competitors, while also giving our customers confidence to help them on their sustainability journey." “We became aware of the PFAS issue some time ago and began to look for viable non-PFAS packaging in early 2022. Since then, we have been working hard to ensure that we can deliver PFA-free packaging solutions for the takeaway, delivery and QSR sectors – and we are delighted to confirm that all our white bagasse clamshells, dinnerware and chip trays are now TÜV home compostable and that they are certified PFAS-free." “To ensure that the bagasse fibre clamshells, chip trays and dinnerware are free from these forever chemicals, we arranged for SGS, an internationally renowned testing, inspection and certification company, to test them. The SGS test report shows that no PFAS and similar chemicals such as PFCA’s / PFOS’s / PFOA’s / PFHxS’s were detected." “Furthermore, the survey also found that 96% of consumers indicated that it was important that their packaging was certified PFA-free. As only 31% were not prepared to pay extra for such packaging, there is every reason for food service outlets to use certified packaging from reputable suppliers.” Delivering PFAS-free bagasse packaging solutions “We believe these PFAS-free white bagasse products to be the best alternative to foodservice packaging made from expanded polystyrene,” says Nick Burton. “They are the perfect replacement for expanded polystyrene plates, trays and clamshells now that the SUP (single-use plastic) legislation has come into effect." “Bagasse is a great material because it is natural and renewable, using waste fibres from agriculture that would otherwise be discarded. The manufacture of bagasse fibre packaging also has a lower carbon footprint than its oil-based comparable products**, but to make bagasse water and grease resistant, PFAS were traditionally added. Our extensive 12 month in-market trials show that this is no longer necessary.” “This new PFAS-free white bagasse fibre packaging looks exactly the same as the old range and can be used in a microwave to reheat food and we are sure that operators and consumers will now be delighted to know that it is PFAS-free." “As publicity around the PFAS issue builds, so will concerns from consumers, so foodservice operators should check if the packaging they are using is PFAS-free." “As a consultative business, we recommend that they talk to us if they have any concerns about the environmental impact of the packaging they use. We have been providing sustainable packaging solutions for many years and in the face of bans and taxes, we can help customers move away from single-use plastics and reduce their carbon footprint.” * cancers and infertility* . •• Journal of Sustainable Energy & Environment 11 (2020) 61-69 Picture caption: 95% of those surveyed felt it important that food packaging is certified free from PFAS forever chemicals.