On June 11, Delfi Cocoa Europe, a subsidiary of Petra Foods Ltd., started full production on a cocoa processing plant in Hamburg, Germany, that is capable of producing 110,000 metric tons, annually. The startup is the culmination of a two-year investment program totaling €65 million ($91.3 million), which transformed the original factory into a state-of-the-art cocoa facility employing nearly 200 people.

The company now has the capability of producing a range of high-quality, sophisticated cocoa ingredients (i.e. cocoa butter, cocoa liquor and cocoa powders) to meet the stringent and exacting demands of Petra Foods’ international and Europe-based customers. As a result, the Hamburg plant is capable of producing whole bean-roasted or nib-alkalized cocoa products.

In addition, the current configuration of the Hamburg plant provides flexibility for the production of certified cocoa products such as selected ICCO and Rain Forest Alliance-certified products as well as tailor-made cocoa liquor from single-origin cocoa beans, if required.

Marc Donaldson, president and head of Delfi Cocoa Europe, says, “With our Hamburg plant now in full commercial production, we believe that Delfi Cocoa Europe will add significant value to all our customers and play a critical role in their cocoa ingredients supply chain.”