NEWS RELEASE
January 27, 2022

Yoshiharu Okamoto
Senior Manager,
Corporate Communication Group,Fuji Oil Holdings Inc.
kouhou@so.fujioil.co.jp
Email: ronny.voorspools@fujioilghana.com

Blommer Chocolate Company announces the opening of a new R&D
Applications Lab in Chicago(January 26, 2022) Chicago IL - Blommer Chocolate Company, the largest cocoa processor
and ingredient chocolate supplier in North America, a group company of Fuji Oil Groupannounces the opening of a new R&D Applications Lab, located in downtown Chicago, IL in
The Merchandise Mart. This space represents an expansion of R&D capabilities, full of new
and improved ways to support the business as well as Research & Development.
“We are looking forward to hosting customers! The new lab has been thoughtfully designed
to be a functional workspace for the team with a welcoming atmosphere for collaboratingwith customers.” says Marie Loewen, R&D Corporate Manager, Applications.
The new lab is outfitted with two kitchens, one specifically for chocolate and compound workand one for ”hot” applications including baking and frying. The chocolate kitchen opens intoa large room, making it perfect for hosting customers for training, ideation, anddemonstrations. It is humidity controlled and contains a variety of small-scale equipment toallow for confectionery work including moulding and panning.
This lab will be a refreshing, collaborative space to highlight the capabilities of both Blommer& Fuji Oil Group and will help to elevate the brand in the market as well as live the Blommer
R&D vision: Through thoughtful and proactive collaboration, we will deliver advanced
innovation, impactful technical support, and generate meaningful, creative solutions to help
unlock the full potential of our customers.

###About Blommer Chocolate Company
Blommer Chocolate Company is the largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate
supplier in North America. The company provides comprehensive business solutions fordomestic and international customers of all sizes in the confectionery, baking and dairy
industries. Among Blommer’s core competencies are cocoa bean processing, chocolate
manufacturing, commodity risk management, and product and process R&D. The company
is a leader in advancing sustainable cocoa farming as a founding member of the World
Cocoa Foundation and through its privately managed farmer programs in Cote d'Ivoire andEcuador. Founded in 1939, Blommer maintains an outstanding reputation for customer
service and quality. For more information about Blommer Chocolate Company, please visit
https://www.blommer.com/.
About Fuji Oil Holdings
The Fuji Oil Group is a manufacturer of plant-based food solutions in the fields of hardbutters for chocolate and industrial use chocolate, emulsified and fermented ingredients andsoy ingredients. With Headquarters in Japan, the Group has 33 companies in 14 countries
and employees nearly 6000 talented people. Since its establishment in 1950, Fuji Oil has
maintained its belief that the way to survive and grow is to develop new fields by leveraging
its originality. Based on our passion for food ingredients, which we have cultivated withvegetable oils/fats and plant-based proteins, we pursue health and taste. For details, please
visit https://www.fujioilholdings.com/en/