BENEO enhances chewing gum expertise

BENEO has installed a kneading, extruding, rolling and scoring machine at its laboratory in Offstein, Germany.

The new machine will be used to test and research the multiple possibilities of the sugar replacer, Isomalt, in chewing gum cores.

It will also enable the company to provide its customers with comprehensive support in the development of new sugar-free gum products - from coating to core.

With the sugar-free chewing gum sector showing a steady growth throughout world confectionery markets, and is set to continue growing at a rate of 7.2% in the next two years (Euromonitor), the new testing equipment will perform product tests and trials, and enable the further exploration of the chewing gum market with the Isomalt.

"Small and medium sized manufacturers may not have the facilities to try out different product avenues, which can restrict growth into new areas. Sugar-free chewing gum is a growing sector and with our expanded facilities, our customers will be able to work with us on innovative product development using Isomalt without having to invest in new facilities," said Ingrid Willibald-Ettle, head of Customer Technical Services.