AAK, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high value-adding specialty vegetable fats, is providing solutions to the industry’s latest challenge: non-hydro fillings for confection.

AAK’s non-hydro, zero trans brand of high performance filling fats, Confao™, provides the desired texture—from creamy and caramel-like, to the melt-a-way sensation of a decadent truffle—for non-hydro confectionery fillings and helps manufacturers meet the demands of a thriving industry.

With annual US confectionery sales generating more than $30 billion at retail and premium chocolate growth topping 10% in 2014, it’s obvious that consumer appetite for confectionery items is as healthy as ever. At the same time, there is a healthy level of attention being paid to food and nutrition throughout the country. As consumers look for both better-for-you alternatives and indulgent experiences, confectionery manufacturers must balance both sides of the equation to please consumers who consider confections to be part of a happy, balanced lifestyle.

“AAK has over a century of experience, and sets the bar for excellence and innovation in the confectionery industry—like being the first to offer non-hydro specialty fat solutions to the confectionery industry in 2006,” says Terry Thomas, president, AAK USA Inc. “Today, as the co-development company, we work with our confectionery customers to provide excellent performance for their specific challenges.”

Ramesh Reddy, AAK’s Customer Innovation Manager, adds, “Confectionery manufacturers face a unique set of challenges when creating and producing their particular applications. Many considerations need to be taken into account, including consumer sensory experience, processing and stability concerns, particular recipe challenges, and labelling requirements. AAK’s legacy of confectionery expertise serves these manufacturers particularly well, as we provide effective solutions like our Confao™ line of filling fats.”

Filling fats are essentially mixtures of fat, sugar and flavor-contributing ingredients such as nut pastes, cocoa solids, milk solids and fruit essences or pastes. AAK’s brand of premium non-hydro Confao confectionery fillings are formulated from non-hydrogenated, trans-free palm and palm kernel fractions. The Confao™ line of fillings are especially well-suited for praline, cookie filling, soft filling, high nut content filling and health/cereal/nutritional bar applications.

AAK’s non-hydro Confao™ premium confectionery fillings

• Inhibit oil and moisture migration and provide high stability especially in recipes containing nuts and moisture, provide good compatibility with milk fat, cocoa butter and nut oils

• Expedite processing and provide minimal waste with the ability to skip a tempering step in production

• Provide excellent mouthfeel and flavor release in both soft and hard fillings, with a light and creamy mouthfeel

• Offer steep melting and excellent cooling sensation for truffle confections

• Prolong shelf life with bloom retarding properties, even at high storage temperatures

Thomas adds, “We are proud to offer an extensive line of non-hydro solutions to the complex applications our customers’ products require to satisfy today’s confectionery consumers.”

For more information on AAK, please visit www.aak.com or for the latest non-hydro solutions for confectionery and baking manufacturers, visit www.betterwithAAK.com.

AAK is a leading provider of value-adding vegetable oils and fats. Our wide range of raw materials, broad process capabilities, and expertise in oils & fats within food applications enable us to develop innovative and value-adding solutions across many industries – Chocolate & Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Infant Nutrition, Food Service, Personal Care, and more. AAK’s proven expertise is based on more than 100 years of experience within oils & fats. Our unique co-development approach brings our customers’ skills and know-how together with our own capabilities and mindset for lasting results. Listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has 18 production facilities and customization plants, sales offices in more than 25 countries and more than 2,500 employees.

AAK USA Inc.

499 Thornall St., 5th Floor
Edison, NJ 08837
Phone: 973 344 1300
www.aak.com