Sojaland ups soy capacity to meet demand

The new capacity is intended to help Sojaland meet growing demand, and the purchase of new technology solutions has enabled it to reduce production times and improve product taste, said the company.

The soy boom, which started out in health foods is spilling over into the mainstream. Sojaland cites IRI research for example which indicates that the German soy drinks market grew by 20 per cent in the first quarter of 2006, over the same period of last year.

In 2004 the European market for dairy-free products based on soy grew by a massive 22 per cent, to well above 400 million, according to Prosoy. Key to the cross over of soy from health to mainstream has been improvements to taste.

Ten years ago soy milk, for instance, had a bad rap because of the beany aftertaste. If this important issue had gone unresolved, there is little doubt that all but the most healthy consumers would have continued to turn their noses up at it.

By following the trend towards better-tasting products, Sojaland is positioning itself to take advantage of the new interest, which stems from attention to the health benefits such as for menopausal women.

As European health claims legislation is finalised, manufacturers may be able to make clearer claims on their products in the future. Until now, the industry has felt its potential stymied by the lack of coherent legislation.

Soy has found more uses as an alternative to dairy for the lactose intolerant, and Sojaland reports interest from traditional dairies in expanding their ranges into soy. The company offers a liquid soy concentrate specifically for dairies, which can also be used by the beverage industry.

For bar, ice cream and other food product manufacturers it offers a spray-dried soy concentrate.

The acquisition of the Schwerin-based company has therefore provided Wild with soy products to suit many of its application areas. The move could help Wild to further expand its activities in the areas of food and food ingredient technology.