Move over, Willy Wonka. Here’s your ‘golden ticket’ to a (virtual) taste of Cargill’s House of Chocolate.
Read Time: 3 minutes
August 17, 2022
Cargill recently opened the doors of its innovative new House of Chocolate in Mouscron, Belgium. And while it’s not quite the same as the chocolate factory in Roald Dahl’s acclaimed novel, it might be just as inspiring for our customers — especially those who want to explore “the entire world of chocolate under one roof,” as Cargill Chocolate Europe Managing Director Inge Demeyere puts it.
The $21 million facility is designed to inspire, innovate and co-create with Cargill’s gourmet and industrial chocolate customers in today’s dynamic chocolate market.
Built next to Cargill’s existing chocolate production facility in Mouscron, it’s a 6,200-square-meter (20,000-square-foot) chocolate immersion. There’s a “Chocolate Experience Center” for customers, a pilot plant for small-scale sample production and a world-class sensory expertise center where panelists evaluate samples on texture, flavor, and smell amongst other attributes.
Everyone wants to know: What’s it like inside? Keep reading for a taste.
The Belgium ingredient
In the world of chocolate, Belgium is renowned. That’s why the country has been a focal point for Cargill’s global chocolate business, which has operated there since 2002. Over the years, Cargill has developed options for every taste: from vegan to bright white chocolate to sugar-reduced chocolate. At the same time, strengthening our ability to serve customers in the gourmet market.
“Building the House of Chocolate in Belgium is about respecting the country’s rich chocolate history,” says Inge. “It also highlights our cocoa and chocolate business’s commitment to continuing to invest in the legacy of world class and innovative Belgian chocolate.
Here’s a snapshot of the ways we’ve invested in Belgian chocolate over the years.
2002
Cargill acquires the chocolate group OCG Cacao Belgium with plants in Antwerp and Mouscron.
2003
Cargill invests €14 million to build liquid chocolate lines in its chocolate plant in Mouscron.
2006
Cargill invests €15 million to build solid chocolate lines in its chocolate plant in Mouscron.
2008–2011
Cargill invests €3 million in powder handling and a nut building in Mouscron.
2013
Cargill invests €35 million, doubling the capacity of its Belgian chocolate plant in Mouscron.
2018
Cargill invests €12 million in a new liquid chocolate production line in Mouscron.
2019
Cargill acquires Belgium-based supplier of chocolate and sweets’ decorations, Smet, and invests €4 million in the introduction of new sugar-reduced capabilities in its site in Mouscron. 2002–2020: Cargill invests €10 million to update the Antwerp chocolate plant.
2020
Cargill invests €3.5 million in its site in Kalmthout, to increase its capabilities for producing gourmet chocolate.
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