The next time a new chocolate variety is launched as part of the popular Cadbury brand anywhere in the world, chances are that it would have been developed in India.
Mondelez, which makes the Cadbury brand of chocolates and Bournvita, has launched a state-of-the-art research, development and quality center in Thane, Mumbai, that would exclusively cater to R&D activities in the chocolate and beverage segment.
This is the global major’s only second such research centre after Bournville in the U.K. that caters to chocolates. In all, Mondelez has 10 such centres spread across countries such as Brazil, Poland, Singapore, France and Germany, focussing on various product segments in which the company is present globally.
That the latest centre dedicated to chocolates has come up in India also highlights the fact that India is one of the most important markets for the global major, which is valued at more than $61 billion.
Mondelez cannot afford to ignore India where it has the lion’s share — more than 60% — in the chocolate segment and is also the highest growth market for the confectioner. Nowhere else does Mondelez have such a significant share of the chocolate market.
The research facility has come up with an investment of $15 million and is spread across more than 12,000 square metres. It houses over 150 specialists, including food scientists, engineers and analytical chemists among others.
The new facility is an upgraded version of the old centre that has been in existence for over two decades.
Some of the products that have been developed at the Thane plant and made available all over the world include Dark Milk, Cadbury 5Star (which is exported to Brazil, Philippines, Malaysia and South Africa) and Bournvita for Nigeria.
Products such as Dairy Milk Crispello, Dairy Milk Lickables, Fuse, 5Star 3D and Bournvita for Women have also been developed in India exclusively for the domestic market.
Big step forward
The upgraded version, however, is a big step forward since it is a part of the company’s overall strategy to invest $65 million in developing a global network of state-of-the-art technical hubs across the world.
The Thane facility will also work closely on innovation with sites across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East West Asia and Africa (AMEA) region and the global manufacturing network.
“The Thane centre will collaborate on innovations with multiple countries within the company network. We are proud that some of the most unique and cutting-edge innovations will be created right here at our Thane Technical Centre,” said Deepak Iyer, managing director, Mondelez India Foods, while inaugurating the facility.
Care has been taken about gender diversity as well with 50% women representation. Further, staff at the facility speak 14 different languages collectively.
The facility is also a zero-water discharge unit with zero waste going to landfills and 100% rainwater harvesting.
The centre is equipped with multiple technical capabilities such as idea kitchen, pilot plant and packaging creative studio.
The facility has a mini model set-up of a kirana store and a departmental store to check how a specific type of packaging can help its products get better placement or display.
The company believes that there is immense potential to grow in India as the per capita consumption of chocolate in India is merely around 100 grams wherein it is in the range of 5 to 10 kilos in most of the developed markets.
