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AAK to build global centre of excellence In line with its strategic direction, AAK AB has decided to establish a plant-based foods global centre of excellence on the company’s premises in Zaandijk, the Netherlands. AAK has been operating here for decades and this strategic location, near Amsterdam and in one of Europe’s largest food and agribusiness economies, offers proximity to many customers and industry peers. “Investing in this facility reaffirms our commitment to grow our presence in this dynamic and fast-paced category,” says Johan Westman, president and CEO, AAK Group. “Acting as a knowledge centre for our plant-based activities, we will develop and showcase our plantbased innovations to support customers across the world.” To meet the fast-growing demand for plant-based foods, AAK last year launched its AkoPlanet by AAK portfolio with tailor-made vegetable oil and fat solutions for food and beverage manufacturers developing plant-based meat and dairy products for the retail and foodservice channels. The centre will showcase AAK’s co-development process and feature two pilot plants, an analytical laboratory, a customer experience kitchen, and a sensory suite all under one AAK roof, allowing customers to bring great-tasting food and beverages to market faster and with confidence. “The long-term outlook for plant-based foods is strong, with sales growth outpacing that of other foods,” says Niall Sands, president of plant-based foods at AAK. “This development is driven by several factors, among them a growth in flexitarianism, an increased focus on health and well-being, and sustainability and climate concerns among many consumers.” The centre is expected to be operational by the end of 2021.
World is shifting to a more plant-based diet, says Unilever chief Unilever’s expanding range of plantbased foods is one of its new strategic priorities as the company zooms in on the fastest-growing consumer markets. With a growing number of people cutting their meat intake or giving it up altogether, Alan Jope, Unilever’s chief executive, describes the rise of plant-based foods
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as an “inexorable” trend. “We are seeing a shift towards more plant-based diets, even in emerging markets,” he says. Analysts at Barclays have predicted the value of the global plant-based food and drink market could soar by more than 1 000% to exceed £100bn by the end of the decade. With the plant-based food market comprising lots of tiny businesses, acquisition targets for Unilever are less obvious than in other sectors.
Nestlé’s first vegan KitKat coming soon One of the world’s most popular confectionery bars will soon have a delicious plant-based option that delivers the perfect balance between crispy wafer and smooth chocolate. Alexander von Maillot, head of confectionery at Nestlé, says: “One of the most common requests we see on social media is for a vegan KitKat, so we’re delighted to be able to make that wish come true. This is a product for everyone who wants a little more plant-based in their life.” The new product, KitKat V, will be launched later in the year in several countries across the globe. It will only be available through the KitKat Chocolatory and selected retailers to test the opportunity for a wider roll-out. KitKat V was developed by chocolate experts in Nestlé’s confectionery research and development centre in York, UK. Louise Barrett, head of the 4
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Nestlé confectionery product technology, explains, “Taste was a key factor when developing the plant-based chocolate. We used our expertise in ingredients, together with a test-and-learn approach, to create a delicious vegan alternative to our original chocolate product.” The company has already launched plant-based alternatives to dairy made from rice, oat, soy, coconut, pea and almonds across categories. Examples include non-dairy ice cream, coffee creamers, rice- and oat-based drinks, pea-based beverages, plant-based cappuccinos and lattes, a vegan condensed milk alternative, as well as a range of non-dairy cheese to complement existing plant-based burgers. KitKat V is certified vegan and made from 100% sustainable cocoa sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in conjunction with the Rainforest Alliance.
