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Tate & Lyle has launched the Automated Laboratory for Ingredient Experimentation, dubbed ‘ALFIE,’ at its Customer Collaboration and Innovation Centre in Singapore.

This facility marks a key advancement in the use of robotics within the food and beverage sector, aimed at streamlining new product development and improving the speed-to-market of ingredient solutions.

The multi-million-pound investment in ALFIE is expected to improve the way mouthfeel solutions are developed. The lab uses advanced robotics systems capable of conducting characterisation tests at approximately ten times the current rate, while also enhancing predictive modeling capabilities. This technological leap allows for faster ingredient design and more efficient trials of new formulations.

ALFIE will serve as Tate & Lyle’s Asia Pacific hub for research and development in mouthfeel solutions, with operations managed by on-site scientists. Notably, the lab is interconnected with the company’s facility in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, enabling virtual collaboration between teams in different regions.

Nick Hampton, chief executive of Tate & Lyle, said: “With this multi-million pound investment we are transforming the new product development process for our mouthfeel solutions, empowering our scientists to accelerate experiment design, analysis and delivery of innovative solutions for customers".

He continued: “Our goal was to create a revolutionary tool that will better predict product performance in food manufacturing, allowing us to create faster and improved solutions to customer challenges".

"ALFIE’s cutting-edge technology will enable us to push the boundaries of food innovation, speed up our customers' innovation cycles, improve consumer choice for healthier food and beverages, and help shape the future of the food industry.”

Andrew Taylor, president for the Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin America regions, noted that ALFIE positions Singapore as a global leader in food innovation. The lab’s automation and data analytics capabilities are designed to meet the complex needs of food manufacturers, providing insights and technology previously unavailable.

The launch aligns with Singapore’s Food Manufacturing Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025, which aims to establish the nation as a leading hub for food and nutrition in Asia. With around 60% of the world’s population within a five-hour flight of Singapore, Tate & Lyle's strategic location enhances its ability to serve a broad market.

Marcus Dass, senior vice president at the Singapore Economic Development Board, added: “...ALFIE reflects Singapore’s position as a trusted hub for the region and for cutting-edge innovation in the food and nutrition space. We look forward to the lab accelerating ingredient solution discoveries and enriching Asia’s food innovation ecosystem.”

Ealier this year, Tate & lyle announced that is would join forces with CP Kelco, a producer of pectin, speciality gums and other natural ingredients. The deal, valued at $1.8 billion (£1.4 billion), will create a powerhouse in the growing global speciality ingredients market.

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