PLAMIL FOODS
Consumers are so used to chocolate in shinny plastic, so getting them to recognise that quality chocolate can be in an environmentally-responsible, non-shiny, paper pouch, is a challenge, but worth it.
certified in the United Kingdom, Plamil sees that long- term sustainability is the key to good business and to protecting the planet.
“Sustainability ideology includes people,” explains Adrian
“Whilst I now ‘dream in chocolate’, equally I would have nightmares if the company, my life and staff salaries, were sustained with the use of child slave labour.”
More conventionally on sustainable matters, Adrian continues: “Powering our chocolate factory with 100% renewable energy was neither economic or recognised as a benefit when we started decades ago, but it was and is the right thing to do.” So, how did Plamil, a company that is not a household
name, become such a hub of vegan chocolate? Adrian reveals that it’s about seeing the long-term
trends. He said: “With the growth of the vegan market we identified that having a retail brand was only part of potential growth.” Despite Adrian’s obvious creativity in engineering and formulations, Plamil saw that it was obvious that the market would expand to such a point in which a multitude of brands creating a whole range of products would emerge. Plamil invested in considerable extra capacity in 2020, despite COVID-19, to supply this growing market.
“These brands would be seeking more and more truly vegan chocolate ingredients and that’s exactly what has happened,” Adrian adds. In considering logical labelling, industry has been particularly receptive to and understands that Plamil chocolate does not have the illogical and counter- intuitive claim of vegan and ‘may contain dairy’ statements.
Adrian continues: “It does appear that people seem to think I have something interesting to say, so I do find myself increasingly on platforms at various events.
Secretly, I am usually in awe of most others on the panel who seem to be experts. I suppose almost 40 years in the industry counts for something.” With a staff of now approaching 50, Plamil continues to develop new chocolate formulas and formats, always listening to what industry wants and working with customers. The company believe that it’s about building a relationship and doing what is best. For retail, Plamil has started to produce a range of products without plastic packaging. The latest is a range of Cocobites, that have already started to win awards. These are microbars of vegan chocolate packed in special paper pouches.
“These are really ground-breaking,” says Adrian. “Consumers are so used to chocolate in shinny plastic, so getting them to recognise that quality chocolate can be in an environmentally-responsible, non-shiny, paper pouch, is a challenge, but worth it.” Adrian continues: “Initial sales are good, but it’s going to take a brave, foresighted and environmental chain store buyer to put these onto the shelf.” Plamil clearly are not afraid to be “first”. It’s just waiting to find which supermarket will be the first to give consumers the opportunity to enjoy vegan chocolate in reduced plastic packaging. Looking at 2021 and the development at Plamil, there will be continued growth. Adrian explains: “We will be developing products, varieties, and continuing to work closely with our trade customers. Despite this horrible virus and Brexit, it seems that the joy of chocolate and, in particular vegan chocolate, is here to stay.” Finally, what about the Vegan Willy Wonka label that seems to have been pinned onto Adrian? He laughs: “It’s quite an overused term and I don’t have a cane, but the thought that I can bring joy into people’s lives by what they eat, then perhaps the hat fits! Oh, and by the way, I’m looking forward to the next London Chocolate Forum!”
BELOW: Plamil’s new range of Cocobites have already started to win awards
18 Kennedy’s Confection January 2021
KennedysConfection.com
TOP COFECTIONERY PROUCTS 2021
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