Olam Food Ingredients (Ofi) has substantially increased the capacity of its dairy production facility located in Johor, Malaysia. This expansion also encompasses the enlargement of its Dairy Ingredient Excellence Centre (IEC).
Additionally, the company has initiated the operation of a new milk powder drying unit while further extending the integrated IEC, catering to customers in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
According to Ofi, the improvements made to the processing facility in Johor are expected to more than double the annual production volume of functional dairy ingredients and fat-filled milk powder. This enhancement is intended to empower Ofi’s customers to create innovative applications on a larger scale.
The expanded IEC now includes newly furnished laboratory spaces equipped with cutting-edge R&D equipment, specifically designed to assist customers in pursuing customized, tailored, and cost-effective solutions for applications in beverages, bakery, and frozen dairy desserts.
Sandeep Jain, who serves as the Managing Director and CEO of the dairy division at Ofi, noted that there is a rapidly increasing demand for nutrition-rich, functional dairy ingredients, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
“Building on our strategy to provide localized, customized food and beverage products that will appeal to local customers, the expanded capabilities in Malaysia enable us to co-create products that are focused on health, taste and convenience,” Jain commented.
“Furthermore, the expanded plant has been designed around food safety and operational excellence. This includes an automatic and ergonomic raw material feeding system and an advanced depalletising system, ensuring consistent product quality.”
By closely collaborating with Ofi’s Singapore Customer Solutions Centre and integrating across its extensive network of 15 innovation centers worldwide, the enhanced capabilities of the IEC will enhance collaboration with brands, grocery retailers, and foodservice companies.
