AAK Annual Report 2018

20 20 Dairy Compared to 2017, Dairy reported double-digit growth, both in terms of volumes and operating profit. All regions, North Latin America and Europe in particular, contributed with positive results. Solutions We provide the whole dairy and ice cream segment with solutions from cheese, whipped toppings and yellow fats to fermented milk products, milk drink & powder, and coffee whitener. Trends The main trends within healthy and sustainable solutions are more plant-based choices, flexitarianism, and plant-based alternatives to animal-originating foods. New products 2018 was a record year for our Customer Innovation team in creating outstanding customer-specific solutions which have helped customers to grow their consumer base. Future growth Plant-based dairy opportunities have been proven to exceed initial estimates as more consumers include plant-based alternatives in their diets. Hard market data confirms the double-digit growth within all plant-based dairy segments. In 2019, we will continue our Dairy+ strategy, putting even more focus on plant-based activities. Special Nutrition During 2018, Special Nutrition has been an important growth driver for AAK, with particularly strong growth for our high-end solutions within Infant Nutrition. Solutions AAK provides tailor-made speciality lipids solutions for Infant, Senior, and Medical Nutrition. Trends The global megatrends that are driving AAK’s Special Nutrition segments are health, trust, sustainability, premiumization, and personalization. New products Through our co-development approach, the Customer Innovation team has developed a variety of new prod- ucts around the world for all three sub-segments within Special Nutrition. Future growth AAK is continuing to grow in the wider nutrition area. We are now exploring further opportunities in new segments, for example Adult Nutrition and Sports Nutrition.