Ingredion has extended its virtual lab, Inside Idea Labs in EMEA, to the dairy market, bringing its application expertise in dairy product formulation to its customers 24/7.

The virtual dairy lab showcases technical resources including sample formulations, white papers and responses to questions that customers frequently ask about topics such as formulating clean label dairy products, reducing protein and removing fat. Visitors will also find information about consumer and market trends driving change in the dairy industry, as well as insights from experts working throughout Ingredion’s network of Idea Labs innovation centres.

The interactive online portal which includes consumer insights, expert advice and tested recipes, gives customers everywher access to Ingredion’s science-based problem solving developed at the company’s 28 Idea Labs innovation centres.

Charlotte Commarmond, Senior Director, Marketing and Innovation, EMEA at Ingredion, said; “Our customers, as well as consumers, are increasingly digitally savvy and the use of digital technologies to source information on products is on the rise. As speed-to-market becomes increasingly important, especially for small to-medium-sized-manufacturers responding quickly to the latest consumer trends, online product development support needs to be available, on-demand, 24/7.”

“Our region-specific virtual labs give our customers everywher timely access to consumer trends, regulatory guidance and sample formulations that reflect the needs of their local market.”

“This new lab means dairy manufacturers can learn directly from our experts at the company’s brick-and-mortar labs around the world. They can access expertise on a range of topics, from selecting the right clean label ingredient for their yoghurts to reducing the protein content of their analogue cheeses.”

“Our beverage lab, which we launched in the autumn, has already been well-received by our customers and we look forward to extending this rich resource to other application areas in the future.”

Inside Idea Labs consists of regionally developed virtual labs focused on specific market segments. These currently include a beverage lab (launched in October) and now dairy. Ingredion says experts will continue to create additional resources to serve customers in different markets.

The company also opened a new Idea Lab innovation centre in Nairobi, Kenya in November, bringing the total number of brick-and-mortar centres across the globe to 28. This is the first Ingredion Idea Lab to open in the region, delivering technical support and culinary know-how to customers across Eastern Africa.