GREER, S.C.—LifeMade Products LLC (LifeMade), an operating company of Jadex Inc., announced that the company’s LifeMade Compostable Straws have received OK compost HOME certification from TÜV Austria. This achievement is in addition to the product’s BPI Commercially Compostable certification previously received. TÜV Austria OK compost HOME certification provides assurance to consumers that LifeMade Compostable Straws will compost safely in any home compost heap. Made in the USA, LifeMade Compostable Straws are available in Jumbo size and packaged for most foodservice operations, having a diameter of 0.25” and a length of 8”. The straws are individually wrapped and available in case...

MEMPHIS, TENN.—Auto-Chlor System, a national leading supplier of commercial dish machines and chemical solutions for hospitality operations, highlights the UCR Glass Washer, a fast, water-efficient, and energy-efficient machine that accommodates all glass sizes and shapes. The UCR Glass Washer is ideal for high volume glass applications in hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, cocktail lounges, wineries, breweries and more. The complete wash cycle is a fast 60 seconds. A three compartment, rotating rack allows washing to occur in one section while soiled items are simultaneously loaded into a second section and cleaned items are ready for removal from the third section. The large...

PHILADELPHIA—Aramark, the provider of food, facilities, and uniform services to millions of people in 19 countries around the world, released its 2022 Be Well. Do Well. Progress Report, an update to its global environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) performance. In the report, Aramark shares important progress on its diversity, community building, climate, food and worker safety, responsible sourcing, and waste reduction programs and initiatives, among other topics. Key highlights from the report include Aramark signing the Cool Food Pledge—a commitment to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from the food it serves in the U.S. by 25 percent by 2030; submitting enterprise-wide,...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton announced its renewed partnership with UAE-based agri-tech platform, Fresh On Table, at Gulfood 2023, with the aim of doubling the amount of local produce procured for the brand’s properties in the country. The ongoing deal between Hilton and Fresh On Table follows the success of last year’s collaboration that saw the two entities exceed their local food sourcing goals. The extended partnership promises a larger commitment in 2023, with increased targets and an intentional sourcing strategy, that reaffirms their dedication to championing local farms and produce. Hilton previously sourced 440 tons of local produce annually for its UAE properties,...

LAKEWOOD RANCH, FLA.—A century is a long time to be wasting natural gas while cooking but entrepreneur and appliance industry veteran Ray Williams is beginning to put a stop to it. Ray Williams, CEO of VT Burner, along with Brenda Williams, President of the company, have developed a burner for ranges, woks, stock pots, griddles and charbroilers that is 60 percent more efficient than burners used today. The greater the F&B operation, the greater the potential for energy savings. Less gas burned is better for the environment and kitchens do not have to be cooled as much, adding further...

AMSTELVEEN, THE NETHERLANDS—For quite a few years now, many hotels have incentivized guests to skip housekeeping in exchange for a financial reward of some type. Covid-19 certainly increased the number of hotels that don’t offer daily housekeeping—primarily due to staffing challenges—but many hotels around the world still offer it. For hotels that do that, Floris Licht, Chief Planting Officer for Hotels for Trees has a program that not only helps hotel owners but the environment as well. The Hotels for Trees concept is simple: One new tree is planted each time a guest chooses to skip daily room cleaning. The...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—Vivreau Water, a market leader in filtered water systems and a scientific expert in taste and filtration, unveiled the Top Pro and Extra I-Tap water dispensers. Designed for today’s hygiene-aware culture, the dispensers include advanced filtration capabilities and enhanced hygiene features. The Top Pro and Extra I-Tap dispensers feature Vivreau’s exclusive ThermalGate technology, which automatically heats the outlet tap at regular intervals to protect against retrograde contamination from external sources. Both systems come with optional HygienePlus technology designed for hygiene-sensitive environments, offering three layers of protection against microbial cysts and bacteria, including legionella. “Encouraging healthy hydration in the workplace can...

ST. LOUIS, MO.—Emerson announced the introduction of its Copeland variable speed reciprocating hermetic compressors for commercial refrigeration applications. The new models are specifically engineered to save energy and provide performance improvements in a variety of demanding commercial refrigeration applications. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the commercial refrigeration space have faced increasingly stringent energy requirements. Medium- and low-temperature stand-alone coolers and freezers, commonly used in restaurants, convenience stores (C-stores) and small-format food retailers, have been key targets of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) energy-efficiency standards. Additionally, targeted are units used in the life science market and for small industrial applications such...

WINDSOR, ENGLAND—IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has opened its new global headquarters in Windsor, U.K. Having started life as an FTSE-listed company in Windsor in 2003, IHG returns to the historic town for its next chapter after being based for the past 15 years in Denham, Buckinghamshire. The building represents not only the company’s global headquarters, but also the head of its Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa region, helping serve an international business that has more than 6,000 hotels across more than 100 countries around the world. The Windsor One office on Arthur Road...

BERLIN—JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 30 hotel brands, unveils its second property in Germany with the opening of JW Marriott Hotel Berlin. Owned by one of the leading hospitality investment companies Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), JW Marriott Hotel Berlin brings guests together through thoughtfully crafted spaces, warm service, and a commitment to well-being. Converting from Hotel Berlin Central District, this announcement marks the completion of the first stage in the property’s transformation to join the JW Marriott brand, set to offer a different perspective to the capital city’s hospitality scene. “JW Marriott blends a...