Technology landscape
Cutting-edge technologies and formats for confectionery products
Client overview
The client was a global consumer goods manufacturer seeking innovative technologies and product formats in the confectionery space as part of their ongoing product development process. Our client was interested in identifying technologies / processes from the confectionery space that offer products with attributes including multi-layer, multi-flavour, multi-texture, and consumer interactivity. Further to this, Strategic Allies Limited (SAL) worked to identify the underlying processing and formulation conditions of confectionery products found in order to assess how they might be applied. The client’s aim was to use the insights gained from the project to advise new product development and to identify potential partners they could work with.
The search
A two-phase search was undertaken. In Phase 1, Strategic Allies Limited (SAL) searched for examples of innovative confectionery product formats from geographies including North America, Europe, LATAM, and Asia. Information captured and shared with the client included the companies responsible for the products, innovative qualities, and the processes used. Innovations were broadly categorised, and the client prioritised those of interest for a deeper dive.
Phase 2 focused on gathering insights from experts in the industry to gain an understanding of the technical capabilities and limitations for these formats. SAL interviewed a range of experts from CDMOs (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations) and processing equipment suppliers. These insights allowed SAL to analyse the technical feasibility of formats for the client’s future products and provide the client with benefits, challenges and opportunities for the prioritised formats. The final report also contained commercial insights from the experts interviewed, recommendations for short / medium / long-term and an overview of potential partners and their capabilities.
“…I really like the recommendations and charts…”
“…It’s really easy, with one quick look, you have a lot of answers on one slide”
Outcome
64 innovative confectionery formats were shared with the client.
8 formats were prioritised in the second phase and further information was provided on processing technologies used, examples of use and the associated benefits, challenges and opportunities.
Company profiles of 14 potential partners were provided.