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Olam Food Ingredients (OFI) has inaugurated a new soluble coffee facility in Linhares, Espírito Santo, marking a notable expansion in its manufacturing capabilities. This facility is strategically positioned to capitalise on the region's robust coffee production, as Brazil is a key player in the global soluble coffee market, which is projected to reach $52.2 billion by 2031.

The Linhares facility is located in Brazil’s Conilon coffee region, which produces around 70% of the country’s robusta coffee. By processing coffee beans sourced locally, OFI aims to strengthen its supply chain while contributing to the local economy. The facility is expected to create 300 permanent jobs and generated 1,200 construction jobs during its development.

Vivek Verma, managing director and CEO of coffee at OFI, said: "This inauguration represents a triple win – for local communities, for our customers and for the environment. 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."

The facility places high importance on sustainability, operating on 100% renewable electricity and utilizing biomass boilers that convert coffee production waste into energy. This approach aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with coffee production. The facility spans 53,000 square metres and is equipped with advanced technology for producing diverse soluble coffee products, including spray-dried, freeze-dried and liquid concentrates.

Additionally, all coffee beans processed at the Linhares site are fully traceable and certified by the Rainforest Alliance, which aligns with industry standards for ethical sourcing.

The new facility complements existing soluble coffee processing operations in Spain and Vietnam, allowing OFI to better serve its global customer base. The expansion comes at a time when the demand for soluble coffee is increasing, driven by consumer preferences for convenient coffee solutions.

Renato Casagrande, governor of Espírito Santo, added: "The inauguration of OFI’s new soluble coffee factory in Linhares is a milestone for the development of the state of Espírito 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.”

This development is part of OFI's broader commitment to sustainability, which includes building an integrated global network of 19 innovation centres focused on various food products, including cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices.