Special Nutrition as a formula for growth
Since diversifying the Special Nutrition portfolio two
years ago, AAK now creates tailor-made solutions
for a broader range of segments. Karel Stoschek,
President Special Nutrition, outlines how the segment
16
is showing significant growth, with plans in
place to expand into new markets.
What does Special Nutrition involve?
AAK provides tailor-made speciality lipids solutions for
Infant, Medical and Senior Nutrition. Our broad product
range helps to improve nutritional intake and health for
people of all ages, worldwide.
Why is Special Nutrition a focus area for AAK?
AAK has a very strong position within Infant Nutrition
globally. Two years ago, we decided to broaden our
scope, as we saw Senior and Medical Nutrition as
areas where our expertise could generate new business
opportunities. We now have a broad and balanced
portfolio for nutrition applications.
What are the trends driving this market?
The global megatrends of health, trust, sustainability,
premiumization, and personalization are all important
drivers for our Special Nutrition segments.
How do you help customers understand and tap into
these trends?
AAK’s co-development approach enables us to work
very closely with our customers to create new products
and solutions together. An important part of this involves
close analysis and ideation around these trends and
other market demands. We bring deep insight into these
areas on a global scale, which customers find invaluable,
especially in the vital early stages of the process.
How has Special Nutrition performed over 2018?
We have continued to grow faster than the market
during 2018.
What new products and solutions have been developed
during this time?
AAK is unlike other providers in that all our products are
tailor-made to meet specific customer needs; this forms
an important aspect to our unique co-development
approach. Our Customer Innovation team has been
extremely successful in developing new products for
customers worldwide within each of our sub-segment.
Additionally, we are also now recognized as a global
leader in controlling contaminants in Special Nutrition
products.
What are the growth opportunities for AAK within
this market?
These are very exciting times. At AAK, we are exploring
new avenues where we can support customers in a
wider range of nutrition segments, for example Adult
Nutrition and Sports Nutrition. There is also a demand
within Infant Nutrition for speciality products, such as
organic, allergic or premium. The Chinese market for
Infant Nutrition continues to show great growth potential.
How does AAK intend to help shape the future of
Special Nutrition?
We are at the forefront of nutrition development and
are constantly working to create new ingredients that
will help customers to break into new markets with new
concepts or improve their existing products. The clinical
data we amass during this process will also help us to
be more competitive in the development of ever more
innovative solutions.
Karel Stoschek
President Special Nutrition
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Special Nutrition
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