Major investment from Cargill sees Mouscron chocolate site expansion
Cargill is investing €30million into its Mouscron chocolate production site. Pic: Cargill
A vital round of investment from Cargill delivering a near doubling of gourmet chocolate manufacturing facilities in Mouscron Belgium, as well as upgrades to its edible oils bottling site have been unveiled, reports Neill Barston.
The €56 million strategic move also includes a new extrusion pilot plant at its Vilvoorde Innovation Centre, and comes amid a period of key focus for major manufacturers on expanding premium product offerings.
As the company, which is due to play its part in our World Confectionery Conference on 10 September in London explained, its latest manufacturing boost also intends to focus on customer-led innovation, as consumers demand an ever-broader range of products across global markets.
The country remains at the heart of its strategy for supplying the region, as well as delivering innovation and sustainable production – which remains a key topic for our World Confectionery Conference.
This will be explored by Renee Boerefijn, a senior Cargill R&D specialist, set to represent the business at our upcoming conference (see our recent exclusive vide with him below). Registration for our conference event is now open, and can be done via the following link.
In Mouscron, linked to its current gourmet chocolate production site, Cargill’s €30 million investment adds 10,500 sqm of additional production space, as the facility continues to prove a key strategic hub for its confectionery manufacturing operation.
Furthermore, as the company noted, it has transformed its largest edible oil bottling facility in Europe (below) into an even stronger foodservice hub. With a €21 million investment, around 60% of the site was transformed focusing on nearly doubling its capacity and developing automation and innovation intended to improve efficiency and reinforce long-term supply reliability.
The expansion strengthens Cargill’s ability to help gourmet chocolate customers respond to seasonal demand, develop more tailored products and shorten lead times. The expanded site will produce Cargill’s premium couverture chocolate range Veliche and support artisanal foodservice customers, restaurants and food manufacturers.
Cargill has also strengthened its European R&D capabilities in Vilvoorde through a €5.4 million investment in a new extrusion pilot plant at its Innovation Center.
The facility supports rapid prototyping, ingredient functionality testing and customer collaboration across food, feed and pet food applications, and builds on the previously announced €45 million investment in Cargill’s food innovation centre in Vilvoorde. Together, these investments strengthen Cargill’s broader European R&D network.
Significantly, the company has enjoyed a long and successful association with Belgium, which it began in 1953. It now employs more than 1,500 people across nine locations spanning production, R&D and regional coordination functions.
Geert Maesmans, Vice President of R&D for Cargill’s Food business in EMEA and Cargill’s Belgium country lead, welcomed the investment.
“Belgium is a key strategic hub for Cargill in Europe, thanks to its strong food industry, close customer connectivity, and advanced logistics infrastructure that enable efficient supply across Western Europe.
“These investments not only strengthen our local food R&D and production capabilities but allow us to continue to grow with our customers and provide them with more diverse and innovative food solutions across Belgium and the EMEA region.”
