Alamance Foods has introduced AFI Labs, its new research, development and commercialization center.
Built to help food service operators, consumer packaged goods companies, retailers, convenience retailers and restaurant brands bring innovative products to market, AFI Labs brings food and beverage product development, culinary innovation, pilot-scale manufacturing, and commercialization support together under one roof.
Rather than following a traditional product development model, AFI Labs gives customers access to a collaborative team of experts across research and development, process engineering, commercialization, packaging, culinary development and food manufacturing. The center allows ideas to be explored, tested, refined and prepared for commercial production in a connected environment with a goal of less time between the first idea and a market-ready product.
AFI Labs specializes in several food and beverage categories where innovation, convenience, and differentiation continue to create new opportunities.
These include:
The facility also supports product development for foodservice, convenience retail, quick-service restaurants, consumer packaged goods, and private label programs.
AFI Labs supports the full product development journey, from early ideation and consumer trend exploration through formulation, testing, pilot production and commercial scale-up. Customers can work directly with Alamance Foods experts to:
By integrating commercialization planning early in the process, AFI Labs helps bridge the gap between product development and food manufacturing. The facility also supports product development for foodservice, convenience retail, quick-service restaurants, consumer packaged goods and private label programs.
AFI Labs combines laboratory, culinary and pilot plant resources that allow teams to evaluate products under authentic operating conditions. Capabilities include bench-scale product development, pilot-scale processing equipment, product performance evaluation, manufacturing validation, scale-up support, sensory testing and competitive benchmarking.
AFI Labs also includes specialized resources for customer-specific applications, including coffee, café, and beverage equipment; small commercial bakery equipment; modular, plug-and-play kitchens; and customer equipment and operational workflow integration. The hands-on approach allows customers to not only test how a product tastes, but explore how it performs, how it is prepared and how it can ultimately fit into a commercial operation.
Disruptive Materials, the company behind patented Upsalite mesoporous magnesium carbonate, announced the launch of upsalite.com, a new digital platform designed to make the science, performance and story behind Upsalite easier to understand and explore.
Upsalite
Developed at Uppsala University, Upsalite is a patented mesoporous magnesium carbonate distinguished by an extensive network of microscopic internal pores. This architecture gives the material a high internal surface area and enables it to absorb oil and moisture within the particle itself, rather than relying solely on surface absorption.
Already used across dry shampoo, deodorant, anti-chafing, makeup and performance applications, Upsalite has largely been known within scientific, formulation and product-development communities. The new website represents the next stage in building awareness of the ingredient itself—giving consumers an accessible destination to understand what Upsalite is, how it works and why brands are choosing to formulate with it, noted Disruptive Materials.
“Consumers are increasingly interested in understanding not only what ingredients are in the products they use, but why they are there and what they actually do,” said Mary Sundborg, VP of Sales & Marketing, Disruptive Materials.
“As Upsalite appears in more products and applications, we saw an opportunity to create a trusted resource that our brand and manufacturing partners can point consumers toward. Upsalite.com translates sophisticated materials science into information that is visual, approachable and grounded in the technology behind the ingredient.”
The new website brings the science of Upsalite to life through visual explanations, microscopy, comparison data and application-specific content. Visitors can explore how Upsalite differs from conventional absorbent powders such as talc, silica, mica, cornstarch and kaolin, as well as learn about its performance characteristics including absorption, moisture management, soft-focus effects and skin adhesion.
While Upsalite.com is designed for consumers, the initiative is also an investment in Disruptive Materials’ brand, formulation and contract manufacturing partners. The site provides dedicated information for industry partners interested in incorporating Upsalite into new formulations, connecting consumer education with continued adoption across product categories.
The launch of Upsalite.com reflects Disruptive Materials’ broader strategy to build Upsalite not only as an ingredient supplied to industry, but as a recognized ingredient technology with value to the consumer.
Q.E.P. CO., INC. completed the acquisition of all assets of Spray-Lock, Inc., a developer, manufacturer and distributor of aerosol spray adhesives for flooring and wall applications.
The acquisition advances QEP’s strategy of broadening its core adhesives platform by adding Spray-Lock’s patented spray-applied technology, proprietary formulations and technical expertise to QEP’s existing flooring installation solutions. Spray-Lock’s water-based formulations are designed to simplify application, use less adhesive than traditional trowel-applied alternatives and offer moisture and pH tolerance, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) content and time-saving installation benefits.
With the addition of Spray-Lock, QEP expands its offerings across luxury vinyl tile and plank, sheet flooring, vinyl composition tile, carpet tile, rubber flooring, underlayment, wall coverings and FRP wall panel applications.
The acquired Spray-Lock business is now part of QEP’s North American operations.
RAMALINGAM
Doug Raymond (Raymond Regulatory Resources), on behalf of the National Aerosol Association, said in a statement:
“Ravi has been an instrumental figure in CARB’s rule making efforts, and his departure will certainly be felt. He brought extensive knowledge of consumer products and a deep understanding of the industry. His retirement represents a significant loss for both CARB and the industry.
“Throughout his tenure, he consistently brought balance, reasonableness, and thoughtful consideration to the rulemaking process. His expertise and perspective have been highly valued and appreciated. Ravi will be sincerely missed as CARB continues to move through this next phase of rulemaking.
“Please join us in congratulating Ravi and sharing your best wishes as he embarks on this next chapter…”
New survey results from the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) show that while most parents give their child’s school positive marks for cleanliness, shared spaces where hygiene matters most, such as bathrooms and cafeterias, remain top concerns. This underscores the essential role cleaning plays in creating school environments where students can learn, eat and gather with confidence. As families prepare for a new school year, parents are paying attention to how clean and well cared for their children’s schools are.
While 39% of parents with children in school rated the school’s cleanliness level as excellent, most felt there was room for improvement. Among the areas of concern identified were:
“Cleanliness is not just a maintenance issue; it is part of the broader back-to-school checklist that helps reassure parents that schools are prepared to welcome students back,” said Kristin DiNicolantonio, ACI’s Senior Director, Stakeholder Communications.
“Parents want to know that the places where their children learn, eat and play are being cared for. Strong cleaning and hygiene practices help support healthier school communities and keep students focused on learning.”
ACI encourages families and school communities to keep cleaning and hygiene top of mind throughout the school year by reinforcing handwashing, keeping frequently touched surfaces clean and using cleaning and disinfecting products as directed. Parents can reinforce proper handwashing at key moments, including before eating and after using the restroom, and include hand sanitizer in back-to-school supplies for older children.
School staff and parents can get more resources on supporting hand hygiene and cleaning best practices in their school system at HealthySchoolsHealthyPeople.org.
The ACI Parents survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 500 nationally representative U.S. parents ages 18+, between July 31st and August 6th, 2026, using an email invitation and an online survey. Data has been weighted to ensure an accurate representation of US parents, 18 and older.
This Halloween, Bath & Body Works is transforming the spooky season with a collection inspired by the thrills of a cursed carnival and another by a frightfully fun film.
Available across body care, home fragrance and accessories, returning seasonal fragrances are Vampire Blood (a blend of blood red strawberry, midnight jasmine and dark plum), Ghoul Friend (a mix of dark strawberries, ghostly peony and spine-chilling citrus) and Pumpkin Carving (a cozy blend of freshly carved pumpkin, spiced pumpkin seeds and smooth brown sugar). This year’s collection introduces brand-new fragrances Carnival Fog (a mysterious blend of spooky autumn air, woody incense and midnight fog) and Cotton Candy Cobwebs (a sweet swirl of spun sugared webs, fresh berries and fluffy whipped vanilla).
Just in time for the Halloween season, the retailer is also bringing the “magic, mystery and mischief of Halloween Town” to its stores with a special-edition Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas collection.
The collaboration is anchored by two new fragrances, Jack Skellington and Sally, crafted to reflect the characters’ distinct personalities. Jack Skellington is a warm, woody fragrance with notes of pumpkin screams, glowing palo santo and spooky spiced vanilla while Sally is a bright, fruity fragrance with notes of ghastly blooms, berry patchwork and forbidden tonka. Both fragrances will be available in fine fragrance mist, foaming hand soap, ultimate hydration body cream, body wash, 3-wick candle, layered wax single wick candle and PocketBac hand sanitizer.
Febreze and Dunkin’ have collaborated on a limited-edition scent collection that pairs Febreze’s odor-fighting power with fragrances inspired by some of Dunkin’s most iconic coffee and bakery favorites.
The lineup features three fragrances:
“We wanted to capture the ultimate daily ritual–a morning Dunkin’ run–and bring that joy straight into the home,” said Tyler Beck, VP, North America Air Care, Procter & Gamble.
“By pairing our freshness innovation with the scents of Dunkin’s iconic flavor offerings, we’ve created a collection that tackles tough odors and completely transforms a home’s energy at any time of day.”
Added Brian Gilbert, VP of Retail Business Development, Inspire Brands, “For millions of people, the smell of Dunkin’ is part of what makes the day feel like it’s officially started.
“Whether it’s the aroma of a Vanilla Latte or a Strawberry Frosted Donut, our guests have an emotional connection to these iconic scents. Through this collaboration with Febreze, we’re bringing those beloved Dunkin’ scents into homes and cars in a completely new way.”
The Comité Français des Aérosols (French Aerosol Committee or CFA) will host will host a Journée d’Information Techniquem, or Technical Information Day, on November 26, at Maison de l’Amérique Latine in Paris, France.
The event, which includes a cocktail lunch, will feature speakers covering a range of topics.
For more information, email CFA at [email protected]
Cosmetic Industry Buyers & Suppliers (CIBS) will hold its Fall Cocktail Party on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Skylark Rooftop in New York City.
Scheduled to correspond with the MakeUp in New York convention at the Javitz Center, the networking event will take place from 6-9:30 p.m. EDT.
The event is open to CIBS Members (cost is $225 per person) and Non-Members (cost is $260 per person). To register, visit cibsonline.com.
Key achievements presented in the report include:The report outlines LINDAL’s progress across the three pillars of its Sustainability Strategy 2030: Planet, People & Product, and presents the initiatives supporting the Group’s environmental, social and product–development ambitions.
The results reflect LINDAL’s continued focus on reducing emissions, increasing its use of renewable energy, improving resource efficiency and developing more sustainable dispensing solutions.
The full LINDAL Group Sustainability Report 2025 is available here.
