Processing has become a dirty word, but we are going to need more processing, not less, in order to feed a growing population, according to professor and head of food science at Penn State University John Floros.

Strong performance in beverage cans, particularly specialty containers, combined with a raft of coast cutting measures fuelled a jump in 2011 underlying profits of over £50m (?59m), said Rexam.

Mondi Group has made a ?280m cash bid to buy out the remaining stake in its Polish subsidiary in order to streamline its corporate structure and continue growth in Eastern Europe.