Excessive energy production and consumption have been directly related to environmental issues that range from air and water pollution to climate change. The way we produce and consume energy says a lot about how we intend to leave our planet for future generations. 

 

That's why, when it comes to planning and improving production processes, we always go beyond the objective of pure cost reduction and consider how we can work together with our partners and customers to find suitable solutions that also reduce any environmental impact.

 

We were excited when one of Indian our customers recently approached us with one such challenge.

 

Polishing over the cracks

 

The customer is a specialist in panned confectionery products. The crunchy candy shell is a critical part of their offering, providing the taste, texture and appearance that makes their products so popular with consumers. However, when producing chewing gum, they were struggling to achieve the desired finish.

 

The finishing on the outer layer of the sugar-coated centre was cracking, even when using a mix of three different panning ingredients. The polishing process wasn't working, leaving the chewing gums with an opaque and unappetizing finish. Moreover, the process was complex and required multiple steps, including melting and blending all the ingredients. This meant using excessive ingredients and a high time and energy cost. The customer thought there had to be a better way, and so they reached out to us. 

 

Inspired by this challenging opportunity to not only improve the final product but to contribute to energy and ingredients savings in the manufacturing process, our IMCD India Technical Team dived into the project.

 

Sweet and sustainable synergy

 

The technical team began by analyzing the whole production process, carefully testing samples and listening to customer feedback. As a result of that work, the team uncovered a polishing agent that could smooth over the cracks on the sugar-coated centres, providing a glossy and attractive appearance.

 

The manufacturer could do away with the melting and blending processes by simply introducing this one polishing agent. The results were:

 

• A smooth, shiny and high-quality product.
• A reduction in the production time of 10 to 15 minutes per batch.
• Significant savings in terms of energy and ingredients.
• Our regulatory team was also able to support the customer by providing the documentation required for labelling.

For our IMCD India Technical Team, this was an enormously rewarding project. The value they created went beyond improving the product and led to a sustainable alternative capable of conserving natural resources and helping to create a healthier environment for the coming generations.

 

To learn more about IMCD's Food & Nutrition business in India, our portfolio, and our technical expertise, click here