AAK USA Inc., Edison, NJ, a producer of value-adding specialty vegetable oils and fats solutions, recently broke ground on its new innovation center. Located in Edison, the facility will house the latest technology and processing capabilities to foster product development, innovation, collaboration and customer co-development for AAK’s bakery, confectionery and dairy customer partners.

“This is truly an exciting time for AAK,” says Terry Thomas, AAK president. “We have always been innovators—anticipating food trends, customer needs and consumer desires. This new state-of-the-art innovation center feels a bit like the frosting on the cake, as it will allow us to better serve our baking, confectionery and dairy customer partners. For example, over the past decade, we have offered unique value-adding vegetable oil solutions without trans fats for complex challenges. In light of the FDA’s recent determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are not ‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS) for use in food, those manufacturers who have not already partnered with us will benefit from our experience as they transition out of PHOs. The innovation center is the latest example of our commitment to customized solutions, forethought for a successful future, access to the latest technology and cutting-edge, best-in-class customer support.”