Virtual lab launched for APAC beverage market

Ingredion Incorporated has introduced a virtual lab called INSIDE IDEA LABS for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

The interactive online portal serves as an extension of the company’s brick-and-mortar innovation labs, providing customers with easy access to technical resources, sample formulations, how-to videos and insights into consumer and market trends. It will also provide responses to frequently asked questions covering topics such as sugar reduction, protein enrichment and beverage emulsification.

“New technologies in the lab and throughout the supply chain are spurring opportunities for customers large and small,” said Michael O’Riordan, Vice President, Business Development at Ingredion. “INSIDE IDEA LABS allows us to expand the reach of our technical services, sharing our established expertise in areas like clean label, sensory experience, and health and nutrition with a broad range of manufacturers — including many customers who have not previously had the opportunity to visit one of our labs.”

According to the company, the development of on-demand digital support reflects its longstanding commitment to innovation. The virtual lab aims to help customers get to market faster using Ingredion Idea Labs’ science-based problem-solving.

The regionally developed virtual labs will focus on specific market segments, and the beverage lab will be the first to launch in the APAC region, followed by a dairy lab. These labs will also be available for customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“We are committed to building a robust platform,” said Joseph M Light, Vice President of Global Development and Ingredient Technology at Ingredion. “Our existing relationships with customers have given us insight into the types of information that we need to build into each virtual lab, and we’re looking forward to expanding our resources across all segments as part of our service offering.”

Eric Weisser, Innovation Director at Ingredion APAC, said, “With so much diversity and market opportunity in the fast-growing APAC region, companies here will benefit greatly from the ready R&D resources and tools available through INSIDE IDEA LABS. Whether they are searching for research insights, consumer trends or product development expertise, INSIDE IDEA LABS provides market- and country-specific support to companies.”

This follows Ingredion’s recent announcement that it is investing US$60 million to grow its specialty food ingredients business in APAC, including the expansion of its modified and clean label specialty starch capabilities in tapioca, waxy corn and rice.

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