Tech, Food Waste & Manufacturing: This Week’s Top Stories
Lockheed Martin's decision to expand its venture capital fund, Lockheed Martin Ventures, from US$400m to US$1bn could signal growing interest in alternative protein technologies within the defence and aerospace sector.
Among the diverse portfolio of companies receiving investment is Superbrewed Foods, a microbial protein manufacturer, highlighting how food technology is becoming increasingly relevant to national security infrastructure.
The fund has invested across multiple sectors including AI, robotics, radar systems and drone technology, but its backing of microbial food companies suggests the defence industry is recognising the strategic importance of sustainable food production.
The expansion represents the largest increase in investment capacity since the fund launched in 2007 with US$100m.
The John Lewis Partnership, encompassing the Waitrose supermarket chain and John Lewis & Partners department stores, employs around 74,000 people throughout the UK.
Operating more than 300 locations nationwide, the organisation has released its Ethics and Sustainability Report 2025/26, outlining its approach to environmental stewardship and ethical supply chain management across its food, clothing and homeware offerings.
For Waitrose, the food retail arm of the partnership, the report highlights significant progress in sustainable sourcing and public health initiatives that could reshape how supermarkets address both environmental responsibility and customer wellbeing.
The company's ethics and sustainability strategy encompasses supply chains and sourcing, the environment, communities and health.
Krones implements digital twins that incorporate AI agents, combining physically accurate real-time simulations with artificial intelligence that can reason and make decisions independently.
The technology is developed through collaboration with CADFEM, Microsoft, NVIDIA and SoftServe, with Krones stating its ambition is to "set a new standard" for digital transformation in manufacturing.
The technology addresses the complex demands of fluid processing, which requires precise coordination of continuously changing physical processes.
These include filling speed, bottle design and fluid dynamics.
Amcor is a global leader in packaging solutions, with a main focus on consumer and healthcare products.
It has announced an expansion of its collaboration with Metsä Group, a Finnish forest industry group and G. Mondini, a provider of food packaging equipment.
The collaboration involves a fibre-based tray system for protein and chilled ready-meal applications.
The packaging solution will be featured at Interpack, which is Europe’s largest packaging event, held from 7-13 May in Germany.
Simon Henzell-Thomas has joined The Heineken Company as Global Sustainability Director following a 14-year career at IKEA, where his work focused on climate and human rights issues.
He will collaborate with a global team to integrate the company's '2030 Brew a Better World' strategy throughout its operations.
Simon's career in sustainability began in 2002 when he took on the role of Press and Fundraising Manager at The People's Trust for Endangered Species.
He then spent five years at The Body Shop, progressing to become Head of Sustainability and Ethical Trade.
