AAK opens new customer innovation centre

Swedish vegetable oils and fats producer AAK has opened its Customer Innovation Centre (CIC), which will focus on applications in chocolate and confectionery fats.

Located in the Minato ward of Tokyo, Japan, the new investment will further expand AAK’s presence in the country.

The company intends to further strengthen its capabilities and customer co-development approach.

AAK Asia president Torben Friis Lange said: “The centre will be focused on applications within chocolate and confectionery fats but will also cover customer innovation projects and new product development within our dairy and special nutrition segments.

“By investing in these facilities, we are dedicated to support our customers in the region and give them access to AAK’s global solutions.”

In 2016, AAK entered the Japanese market by partnering with Miyoshi Oils & Fats and forming AAK Miyoshi.

Earlier this month, AAK expanded its footprint in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region by signing an agent and distributor agreement with Food Specialities (FSL), a food and beverage ingredient supplier in the area.

Established in 1986, FSL has been offering high-quality food and beverage products, marketing expertise, and technical services across the manufacturing, retail and hospitality industries in the GCC region.

FSL has warehousing facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

AAK currently operates 20 different production facilities and specialises in lipid technology within foods and special nutrition applications.

The company develops value-adding solutions for chocolate and confectionery fats, as well as bakery, dairy, special nutrition and foodservice products.