Cargill helps food manufacturers accelerate product development processes with tailored functional systems

Key Takeways

• Tailored functional systems: Cargill presented its functional systems and co-development approach at Foodist Istanbul 2026 to help food manufacturers address texture, nutrition, cost, and shelf-life challenges simultaneously.
• Co-development at INFUSE Center: Manufacturers can test formulations across dairy, desserts, and plant-based products under simulated industrial conditions at Cargill's INFUSE Application Center in Orhangazi, Bursa.
• Accelerating speed-to-market: Cargill's application expertise and broad ingredient portfolio allow manufacturers to create clean-label, cost-optimized, and nutrient-enriched products more efficiently.
• Broad industry engagement: In addition to functional systems, Cargill showcased solutions for chocolate and confectionery makers to align with shifting consumer demands and production goals.

At Foodist Istanbul 2026, Cargill highlighted its functional systems and co-development approach, helping food manufacturers manage their cost, labeling, nutrition, product performance and speed-to-market objectives together.

Cargill met with industrial food manufacturers at Foodist Istanbul 2026, held at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center from September 1 to 4, 2026. Bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retail purchasing representatives and decision-makers from different areas of the food industry, the fair provided Cargill with an opportunity to strengthen existing customer relationships and establish contacts for new collaborations.

As they respond to changing consumer expectations, manufacturers need to pursue multiple objectives simultaneously, including controlling costs, developing clean-label products with improved nutritional value, maintaining production efficiency and bringing products to market faster.

These objectives require product and production needs such as sugar reduction, clean label, protein and fiber enrichment, cost optimization, texture development, stability and shelf life to be addressed together.

Functional solutions tailored to production requirements

Manufacturers can benefit from Cargill's more than 40 years of experience in functional systems, leveraging ingredient combinations that deliver desired texture and structure in the right proportions to meet a specific product and performance objectives. These systems can be tailored to individual needs and production processes, helping manufacturers achieve greater consistency, flexibility and efficiency.

Cargill's functional systems approach combines its broad ingredient portfolio with application knowledge and technical expertise. This approach helps manufacturers address objectives such as sensory experience, texture, mouthfeel, stability, label-friendly solutions and production efficiency together as part of the product's overall performance. In this way, manufacturers can develop solutions that respond more holistically to different market opportunities, consumer expectations and production requirements.

Co-development at the INFUSE Application Center

Manufacturers can utilize Cargill's INFUSE Application Center in Orhangazi, Bursa to test formulations including dairy beverages, yogurt, cheese, cream, desserts and plant-based products, evaluate ingredient performance and simulate industrial production conditions on a smaller scale before commercialization.

Supporting customer innovation through collaboration

Cem Beysel, Cargill Food META Functional Systems and Strategy Senior Director, commented on Cargill's expertise in functional systems:

"Meeting with industry stakeholders at Foodist Istanbul 2026, listening more closely to their needs and exploring new opportunities for long-term collaborations was very valuable for us.

We believe the most effective solutions are developed through close collaboration. By combining our functional systems expertise, application knowledge and innovation capabilities, we work alongside manufacturers to evaluate different formulation options, test concepts and develop solutions that are aligned with their product, production and business goals."

In addition to its functional systems expertise, Cargill also engaged with chocolate and confectionery manufacturers at the fair, discussing solutions that can help address evolving consumer preferences, product quality expectations and production requirements. Through its industrial chocolate portfolio and application expertise, Cargill supports manufacturers in developing products that align with market trends while maintaining consistent performance and efficiency.

About Cargill

Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 155K+ employees innovate with purpose, providing customers with life's essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing-today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.