Cargill: opens extended chocolate facility in Belgium

Minneapolis / MN. (cg) Manufacturers active in confectionery, biscuits, ice cream or cereals will benefit from increased supply of Belgian chocolate following the official inauguration of Cargill´s newly expanded world class chocolate facility in Mouscron, Belgium.

The 35 million EUR investment doubles production capacity for a product range including dark and milk liquid chocolate, drops and chunks and lactose-free dark chocolate. The extension comprises additional production lines, storage tanks and warehouse space and is complemented by new social rooms for operators and office space. The new building has been designed with innovative high-tech equipment aiming to reduce energy consumption by up to 30 percent.

The state-of-the-art facility was officially opened in the presence of the Minister President of the Fédération Bruxelles Wallonie, Rudy Demotte, Inge Demeyere, managing director of Cargill´s chocolate business Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia together with local dignitaries and customers.

«Our customers are turning to us to provide market insights, creative solutions, high quality products and reliable supply. With the extension of our facility, we are now able to open up to numerous new opportunities, enabling us to address the consumer trends of the future», said Inge Demeyere. «We are building on a strong heritage in cocoa and chocolate together with our customers. This is the result of a dedicated focus on innovation and a unique combination of our food ingredients portfolio».

The chocolate facility in Mouscron opened in 2003, and some 150 people work on site. Together with the other sites in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Ivory Coast, France, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States, Cargill´s cocoa and chocolate business has a strong network and capabilities to serve a wide range of customers.