MOUSCRON, BELGIUM — Cargill on June 19 officially opened its expanded chocolate facility in Mouscron. The company said it invested €35 million ($39.7 million) to double production capacity for a product range that includes dark and milk liquid chocolate, drops and chunks and lactose-free dark chocolate. The expansion also includes additional production lines, storage tanks and warehouse space, as well as new social rooms for operators and office space.
Cargill said the new building has been designed with innovative high-tech equipment aiming to reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.
“Our customers are turning to us to provide market insights, creative solutions, high quality products and reliable supply,” said Inge Demeyere, managing director of Cargill’s chocolate business in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. “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. 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 employs approximately 150. Cargill broke ground on the expansion efforts in December 2013.
