India, June 4 -- In a move that underscores Cargills commitment to the Belgian market, the company announced two recent expansions at its Izegem edible oils bottling site and its Mouscron gourmet chocolate facility, along with a new extrusion pilot plant at its Vilvoorde Innovation Center. The approximately 56 million total investment enhances the companys operational and research & innovation capabilities. It also supports Cargills ability to serve growing demand for edible oils, premium chocolate products and customer-led innovation.
In just 12 months, Cargill has transformed its largest edible oil bottling facility in Europe 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 also includes two new dedicated foodservice production lines enabling flexible production and reinforcing its strong capabilities in serving foodservice customers.
Cargill strengthens Belgium as strategic European food
In Mouscron, linked to its current gourmet chocolate production site, Cargills 30 million investment adds an impressive 10,500 sqm of additional production space, almost doubling the companys gourmet chocolate production capabilities. The expansion strengthens Cargills ability to help gourmet chocolate customers respond to seasonal demand, develop more tailored products and shorten lead times. The expanded site will produce Cargills 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 Cargills food innovation center in Vilvoorde. Together, these investments strengthen Cargills broader European R&D network.
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, said Geert Maesmans, Vice President of R&D for Cargills Food business in EMEA and Cargills Belgium country lead. 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.
Cargill strengthens Belgium as strategic European food
The recent investments add to Cargills broader footprint in Belgium, where the company has operated since 1953 and today employs more than 1,500 people across 9 locations spanning production, R&D and regional coordination functions.
Together, the Izegem, Mouscron, and Vilvoorde investments reinforce Belgiums position in Cargills European network and support the companys focus on supply, innovation and more sustainable production.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.