Beverages In the Spotlight
Cargill truly knows beverages. The capabilities at our R&D facilities in Vilvoorde, Belgium can only be deemed exceptional, with pilot plant operations in place that support all aspects of the manufacturing process, such as Technical Capabilities & Services; Multi Ingredients Expertise; Application of Micro and Macro Ingredients; Formulation – Prototyping and Pilot plant for upscaling; Training – Communication.
Advanced research, development & technical expertise
We retain a focus on technology and innovation, food science and application expertise in ingredients, ingredient systems and finished food systems, creative and innovative beverage product formulation expertise, and flavor technologies. Our application centers work on the edge of innovation – closely connected to our research centers. For example in the use of tribology to successfully rebuild mouthfeel in reduced-calorie drinks or the implementation of state-of-the-art imaging techniques (CLSM) to generate strategy for fat and alcohol replacement by clean label fiber in cream liquor.
Comprehensive sensory, application and pilot testing
Our sensory testing capabilities make it easy for us to test food attributes and consumer acceptance for your new product. We can help you achieve the right formulation of your new products with skills in sensory analysis, texture, taste, and flavor.
Rapid delivery of concepts, prototypes and formulations
Our beverages pilot facilities can reproduce numerous beverage products for testing formulations. Our experts use their deep technical knowledge to identify optimal formulation solutions utilizing standard beverages processing including: carbonates, teas, juice drinks and nectars, sports and functional drinks and emulsions.
Nutrition, regulatory, supply chain and risk management
Cargill’s nutrition scientists help identify new health opportunities for our ingredients and develop the science in support of those benefits. Our experts can help you address the regulatory challenges of bringing new opportunities to market. And our supply chain and risk management professionals can help you develop efficiencies in ingredient sourcing while managing ingredient risk.
In the spotlight: Beverages R&D Innovation Centre
Julie De Vel, Senior Associate Application Specialist
Julie started her professional career at Cargill in 2017 after obtaining her master’s degree in Food Science at the University of Ghent. Based in the R&D Center EMEA in Belgium, she is currently Senior Associate Application Specialist and is part of the beverage application team. Her main focus in Research & Development is sugar reduction in beverages; both for plant-based beverages, and powder beverages.
Julie is a great team player with a positive mindset, always eager to find solutions to challenges in beverage formulations for our customers.
Time to get INFUSED
On-trend manufacturers must deliver plant-powdered performance to ensure products stand out in a crowded beverage aisle. In order to get there you will need a great solutions partner that takes a customer-centric approach with on-trend value propositions that are virtually market ready.
Coupled with our technical know-how & support and our broad range of ingredient building blocks, you can rest assured we’ll tailor the right solution to meet your needs.