Ingredion launches brand in Asia Pacific

HEADQUARTERED in the Chicago suburb of Westchester in Illinois, the Ingredion group of companies is a global leader in ingredient solutions – converting raw materials such as corn, tapioca, wheat, and potatoes into ingredients for diversified industries including the food, beverage, brewing and pharmaceutical sectors.  Recently it was recognised by FORTUNE Magazine as one of America’s Most Admired Companies – for the seventh time. It ranked third in the food production category. 

Formerly Corn Products International, the company rebranded,  technically combining its expertise with National Starch which it acquired in 2010.

In March, Ingredion formally launched its new name at the Food Ingredients China 2013 held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre. Amongst those welcoming show visitors was Mike O’Riordan, general manager for Food and Industrial Ingredient Solutions, Greater China.

Mr O’Riordan used to be the director for process innovation and customer solutions for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. He has handled sales, engineering, and manufacturing in Europe, in the food and chemical industries. In an exclusive interview with Food Pacific Manufacturing Journal, he speaks further on Ingredion’s goals in Asia.

The company has been in the business for quite a long time now. Why did it take a while before launching the brand in Asia Pacific?

Ingredion is the best of National Starch and Corn Products in Asia Pacific, and it builds on a legacy of more than a century of exceptional performance. Because of that, the name change was carefully considered and implemented deliberately in phases, one region at a time.

The new name combines “ingredients” and “solutions” with “innovation” and “action”, which characterises the dynamic approach we take with customers and markets. It also better reflects the global ingredients solutions company we have become.

What ingredients/solutions do you provide and which industries do you serve?

As a global  ingredients solutions company, we provide sweetness, texture, nutrition and structure to products that people enjoy every day. These products come from some 60 different industry sectors, ranging from food, beverage, brewing and pharmaceuticals to personal care, corrugated and biomaterials.

Our portfolio now numbers more than 1,000 nature-based sweeteners, starches and nutrition ingredients to help manufacturers make products that are more appealing, nutritious, functional, sustainable and profitable.

You introduced the brand at FIC. What innovative solutions are in store for companies in the region?

At  FIC,  we  presented  our  core capabilities in three easy-to-understand themes: clean label, texture solutions, and health & wellness.

Clean Label showcases the capabilities that Ingredion has in the area of wholesome ingredients. As Asian consumers grow to demand cleaner labels on food products, Ingredion can help manufacturers succeed in  this  area  through  understanding consumers, fine-tuning recipe formulations and doing product trials. Our patented portfolio of functional native starches allows manufacturers to simplify labels, which can turn into better product sales.

Texture Solutions show manufacturers how they can optimise the texture of their foods to suit consumers’ preferences with innovative ingredients and skilful guiAdidas Puma Shoes