Malt Products Corporation (MPC), a Saddle Brook, N.J., manufacturer of malted barley extract and other natural, nutritious sweeteners, has opened an Innovations Lab in Minneapolis to help its food and beverage industry customers test ingredients, experiment with new formulations and gain insight into critical flavor and stability properties. 

International Molasses (IM), a leading supplier of molasses and natural sweeteners, has experienced a surge in demand for its EcoMolasses line in the agricultural sector. The increase comes as a wider set of fertilizer manufacturers and growers place greater emphasis on natural yet effective ingredients for soil amendment. 

Malt Products Corporation (MPC), a manufacturer of malted barley extract and other natural, nutritious sweeteners, has incorporated a state-of-the-art brewing module at its primary manufacturing facility in Dayton, Ohio.

In addition to the generally heightened interest in plant-based, multi-functional ingredients, malt extract sweeteners also provide sector-specific benefits for a spectrum of beverage-industry items.

MPC chose the vacuum belt dryer over a spray dryer because of its superior ability to produce free-flowing particulates of viscous sugar syrups, as well as retain flavor, aroma and color.

The demand for alternative sweeteners is such that, according to a report by the Freedonia Group, annual sales will hit $1.6 billion by 2020, or roughly a third higher than in 2010.

For decades, an insurmountable gap has existed between the vital processing tool that is a versatile zero-calorie sweetener, and the Holy Grail of a zero-calorie sweetener that tastes and functions exactly like sucrose.