India, May 19 -- ofi, a global leader in naturally good food and beverage ingredients, officially inaugurated its state-of-the-art soluble coffee facility in Linhares, Espirito Santo, Brazil on 9 May. The strategic investment strengthensofi's position as a top 3 independent producer in the growing global soluble coffee market, projected to reach $52.2 billion by 2031[1], while creating significant economic impact in Brazil's premier coffee-growing region.

Located in the heart of Brazil's Conilon coffee region, the Linhares facility transforms coffee beans sourced fromofi's coffee units across Brazil into premium soluble products. Serving a global network of customers, the Linhares site has two complete lines of freeze-dried and spray-dried instant coffee, thereby maximizing output and material efficiency.

"This inauguration represents a triple win - for local communities, for our customers, and for the environment,"said Vivek Verma,ofi'smanaging director and chief executive officer, coffee. "By processing coffee at the source, we're strengthening our integrated supply chain and farmer partnerships to deliver traceable, sustainable soluble coffee products to our customers. A strengthened innovation infrastructure focusing on value-added coffee products will build growth opportunities in South and North America, while also serving consumption markets in Europe and Asia. I would like to thank the Espirito Santo state government for establishing an enabling business environment."

Brazil is of strategic importance toofi's portfolio - with operations across coffee, cocoa and spices having been developed over the past 24 years. The Linhares site was selected due to the abundant Conilon coffee production in the Espirito Santo region which provides approximately 70% of Brazil's output[2]- a potential growth driver for the global supply of robusta coffee beans. The site complementsofi's existing soluble coffee processing facilities in Spain and Vietnam.

Sustainable by design, innovative by nature

Sustainability is built into every aspect of the Linhares operation, in line withofi's "Choices for Change" strategy. It is powered by 100% renewable electricity and biomass boilers that convert coffee production waste into energy, helping to reduce the carbon footprint ofofiand its customers. The beans supplied to the facility are fully traceable and the soluble coffee produced from the facility is certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

The facility features cutting-edge technology for producing diverse soluble coffee products, with a state-of-the-art Freeze Dryer that uses energy-efficient methods. It also incorporatesofi's new soluble coffee innovation center, building on an integrated global network of 19 innovation centers - acrossofi's portfolio of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices.

Renato Casagrande, governor of Espirito Santo, highlighted the facility's significance, "The inauguration ofofi's new soluble coffee factory in Linhares is a milestone for the development of the state of Espirito Santo. It is a modern facility equipped with the best available technology to produce freeze-dried and spray-dried soluble coffee. Our state takes great pride in welcoming sustainable and cutting-edge ventures like this one."

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.