INDONESIA – Cargill, American multinational food corporation, has operationalized its first blending facility located Pandaan, East Java, Indonesia, strengthening its capability to serve sugar confectionery customers and consumers in Asia.
This latest investment in a blending facility in Indonesia further signals Cargill’s desire to create relevant innovations to meet market and consumer demands in Asia, particularly in the sugar confectionery space.
Francesca Kleemans, managing director, Food Solutions Southeast Asia, Cargill, explains, the sugar confectionery industry in Asia Pacific is projected to grow at 5% CAGR from 2024 to 2028.
Meanwhile, Cargill’s 2024 TrendTrackerTM proprietary research has revealed that 40% of APAC consumers are prioritizing texture in their food & beverage choices.
“When it comes to sugar confectionery products, Asian consumers show a preference for a diversity of textures – from hard candies and chewy gummies to popping and fizzy sweets,” Kleemans said.
“Serving the Asia Pacific region, with Indonesia as one of the key markets, our new state-of-art blending facility allows Cargill to develop Asia for Asia specialty solutions, combining modified starches, sweeteners, pectin and carrageenan to help create exciting sugar confectionery treats with different textures for Asian consumers.”
The food solutions provider has one of the most comprehensive portfolios in the industry, operating eight starches, sweeteners and texturizers plants in Indonesia, India and China, and four Asian food innovation centers in Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Gurgaon.
The blending facility further bolsters the group’s capabilities with insight-led innovation and formulation expertise, enabling Cargill to support its customers in meeting unique market needs and diverse consumer demands across Asia, such as for nature-derived ingredients and halal requirements, Kleemans underscored.
Cargill has been focusing on expanding its research and development capabilities in Aisia in recent years in order to serve this fast-evolving market.
In June, the company had a grand opening of its upgraded Shanghai Innovation Center, a key milestone in the company’s commitment to drive innovation and sustainability within the food industry.
With an investment of 30 million RMB (USD 4 million), the center has expanded to more than double its original size to 3000 square meters and is equipped with cutting-edge technology.
The Shanghai innovation center supports Cargill’s mission of delivering innovative solutions that address the evolving food and personal care needs of consumers in China and across the Asia-Pacific.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including texture analyzers, high-temperature sterilizers, 3D food printers, Lumi analyzers, Malvern instruments, and physical property testers, the center is poised to advance innovations in flavored syrups, cocoa and chocolate, bakery products, edible oils, and health-focused food solutions.
Additionally, the innovation center features an open kitchen and bar, simulating real dining experiences for customers and providing a platform for customer engagement and co-creation, positioning itself as a collaborative trust partner for clients.
The investment in technology enhances Cargill’s ability to bring high-quality products to market efficiently, catering to the specific needs of the Chinese and broader Asia-Pacific markets.
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