Brenntag has opened its new Food Application and Development Centre (FA&DC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. The move comes amid a drive to expand the company’s offerings in savory applications. 

Named The Heart of Africa, the facility forms part of the greater EMEA Food & Nutrition network of Application and Development Centers supporting the Southern African food sector and Brenntag’s local food teams in East and West Africa.

The new site, located in the Pomona business district in Johannesburg, is dedicated to the Life Science business. 

Enabling change
According to the company, the FA&DC is an “integral part” of Brenntag’s strategy in South Africa, which seeks growth of Food Solutions to both existing and new customers.

“The center enables us to focus on more proactive, value-added and customized developments and provide that step-change in our solutions and service offerings to our valued customers,” says Annette Dann, head of applications and development at Brenntag South Africa.

“Macro-economic drivers and emerging food trends such as plant-based diets have created a need for activities related to R&D and applications to become outsourced. Our facility will bring this service closer to the South African and African food industry.” 

Tapping into major food trends
These partnerships with the South African food industry have positioned the team in convenience foods, confectionery, bakery, beverages and dairy over the years. 

“Within Brenntag Food & Nutrition, the local food team will have access to a global network of innovation and applications on major food trends, which will expand our offerings into other savory applications in the future,” explains Leanne Rossouw, business manager Brenntag Food & Nutrition, South Africa.

In addition to the FA&DC, it also houses a liquid flavor blending facility wher Brenntag blends tailor-made flavors for a diverse range of customers in the confectionery, bakery and sport nutrition sectors. 

Packaging power 
The new site is also home to a modern repacking line.

Furthermore, the team can cater to all customer demands regarding packaging ranging from drums to polycans. 

Repacks cater to the demands of the Food & Nutrition, Nutraceutical and Pharma sectors in Southern Africa. 

Global deals
Brenntag has been relatively active in the ingredients space, specifically plant-based ingredients, for some months.

Last week, the company acquired the US-located JM Swank from Platinum Equity. The distributor of food ingredients reported sales of approximately US$500 million in 2020. 

In April, Brenntag Food & Nutrition inked a distribution agreement with Marigot to distribute Marigot’s plant and marine-based minerals in Denmark.

Meanwhile, in March, Brenntag Food & Nutrition in Latin America announced a distribution agreement with Axiom Foods for its plant-based proteins in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru.