17
Health and sustainability
– two important growth drivers
for Special Nutrition and Dairy+
Dairy+ – for dairy and plant-based solutions
Dairy+, including the general dairy and ice cream
segments as well as the plant-based dairy segment,
continues to be a high-potential focus area, delivering
great results for AAK as well as for our customers.
Here we speak to Henning Villadsen, Business
Development Director Dairy, to get his opinions and
insights into this exciting and dynamic market.
Why is Dairy+ a focus area for AAK?
Vegetable oils and fats offer a wealth of untapped
potential for the general dairy and ice cream industries,
especially within sub-industries such as cheese, yellow
fats, whipped toppings, and ice cream. We also see the
plant-based dairy segment as an extremely interesting
growth opportunity with double-digit growth rates and a
perfect fit with our plant-based expertise and heritage.
What are the trends driving this market?
Consumers today want healthier and more sustainable
products. Flexitarianism is on the rise, with “Generation
Z” and “Millennials” adding more plant-based foods into
their diet. These people understand that what they eat
has an impact on their well-being as well as the future
of the planet. We are now also seeing older generations
switching to plant-based foods, although they focus
more on replacing animal-originating foods with a plantbased
alternative.
How do you help customers understand and tap into
these trends?
Through our co-development approach, we work closely
with our customers to understand their needs and to
keep our solutions in line with our own market and
consumer insights. This is essential to create valueadding
end products that deliver great taste experiences
as well as many other benefits around our six value
drivers: sustainability, health, sensory, functionality, cost
efficiency, and food safety.
How has AAK performed over 2018 within Dairy+?
It has been an extremely good year for Dairy+ with
double-digit growth, both in terms of volumes and operating
profit. All regions, North Latin America and Europe
in particular, have contributed with positive results.
Which new products and solutions have been
developed
during this time?
Our Customer Innovation teams have developed
some outstanding plant-based solutions, which have
repeatedly shown our ability to help customers increase
consumer brand loyalty and market share. 2018 was
a record year for results from our Customer Innovation
organization.
What are the growth opportunities for AAK within
this market?
In only two years, Dairy+ has proved our potential for
growth, with opportunities within plant-based dairy
exceeding initial estimations. This potential is widely
recognized and reported; every day plant-based
activities are hitting the headlines with more and more
consumers embracing this way of living. Hard market
data also confirms the double-digit growth within all
plant-based dairy segments.
How will AAK help to shape the future of this market?
Over 2019, we will continue to execute our successful
strategy. We intend to put even more focus on our plantbased
activities, which over the coming year will be
supported by many different market initiatives that build
upon our strong plant-based heritage.
Henning Villadsen
Business Development Director Dairy
Innovation
Go to
Market
Operational
Excellence
Special
Focus Areas
People
AAK Way of Selling
Customer Co-Development
Sourcing Excellence
Cost Effective & Flexible
World Class Delivery
Special Nutrition
Dairy+
INNOBO - Products