Cargill unveils USD 82 million upgrade to its cocoa processing facility in Wormer

Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate business has officially marked the completion of upgrades to its cocoa processing facility in Wormer, the Netherlands following a USD 82 million (€ 57 million) investment. Cargill has opened a new Center of Expertise for cocoa and increased the cocoa powder production capacity at its Wormer facility enabling Cargill to strengthen its ability to offer customers greater product innovation and increased levels of service.

“This investment is another demonstration of Cargill’s commitment to providing our customers with a broader and more bespoke service to meet their individual needs,” said Jos de Loor, managing director, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate. “This new world-class facility, along with our existing network and our food ingredient expertise will support our cocoa and chocolate growth strategy.” The upgrade is in response to growing customer demand for high quality cocoa powders that are tailor-made to individual customer specifications. The Wormer facility processes cocoa liquor into cocoa butter and powder offering customers globally over 100 types of cocoa powder with a diverse variety of flavours and colours under the premium Gerkens® brand.

The new Center of Expertise brings together all of Cargill’s cocoa quality, technology and innovation expertise. The combination of its team of experts and its new state-of-the-art facilities mean Cargill is able to work more closely with customers to develop new products containing cocoa ingredients, as well as partner on product development and formulation, while ensuring high standards of quality and food safety. The Center includes an ISO 17025 accredited quality control laboratory, a pilot plant for product and process development, as well as an expanded expert taste panel to support sensorial evaluation for cocoa liquor and powder products.

www.cargill.com