AAK Annual Report 2020

AAK Annual Report 2020 14 A business model built on better collaboration Ever since AAK first started helping customers to improve and accelerate product development, our industry has changed tremendously. Consequently, our business model has evolved to ensure we con- tinue to deliver better and more effective solutions that drive sustainable growth. Our core business today is to provide value-adding plant-based oil solutions to the food, confectionery and cosmetics industries. Customers all over the world rely on our expertise, experience and innovation to deliver lasting business value in markets shaped by shifting consumer trends. This inevitably creates challenges to overcome, but it also gives way to exciting new ideas and potential. We continuously refine our business model to ensure customers can leverage these developments and turn them into growth opportunities. This model is built around the following key attributes: Collaboration that creates lasting value One of AAK’s greatest strengths is our unique co- development approach. This was born from our strong relationships with customers, where we could bring the most value by working proactively in close collaboration to deliver value-adding results at every stage. This methodology enables us to work as an efficient team from idea to launch to create solutions with better ideation, faster development times and more effective implementation. One size does not fit all Customers come with their own unique challenges and therefore require customized solutions to get the results they need to stay competitive. Our multi-oil and multi-process approach gives us capabilities to provide products tailored to specific needs, while our global network of Customer Innovation Centers and production facilities enables us to be flexible and act effectively as both a local and global partner. Better multi-functional solutions We make products with better nutritional and func- tional value, with great structure, melting and crystal- lization behavior, rheological properties, flavor release, and skin penetration. This enables us to meet specific customer requirements for improved health profile, taste, processing, logistics, labeling, and legal require- ments. In every case, our technical and commercial experts work closely with customers to identify the optimal solution.