Blommer Chocolate Company, North America’s largest cocoa processor, has announced an exciting new chapter in its storied Chicago legacy with a state-of-the-art innovation hub set to open in Fall 2024. The 10,000-square-foot facility, strategically located in Chicago’s iconic Merchandise Mart, represents a significant investment in the company’s research and development capabilities following the closure of its historic manufacturing plant. As part of a broader $100 million investment initiative, this new innovation center aims to strengthen Blommer’s competitive edge while maintaining its deep connection to the Windy City that has been its home since 1939.
A Chocolate Playground in the Heart of Chicago
The new Blommer Innovation Hub represents a substantial upgrade from the company’s previous R&D facilities. At 10,000 square feet, the center houses specialized areas designed to push the boundaries of chocolate innovation. Visitors and collaborators will find a fully equipped chocolate kitchen, demonstration area, analytical lab, and sensory lab all under one roof.
What makes this facility truly special is its location in the Merchandise Mart, a Chicago landmark known for housing creative and innovative businesses. By choosing this iconic building, Blommer signals its commitment to remaining a vital part of Chicago’s food innovation landscape. The facility’s size allows for expanded team collaboration and customer engagement compared to previous R&D spaces.
The chocolate kitchen will feature professional-grade equipment that mirrors actual production environments. This allows developers to test new formulations under realistic conditions before scaling them to full production. Meanwhile, the demonstration area provides space for hands-on collaboration with clients and partners, facilitating the kind of creative exchanges that spark groundbreaking ideas. I’ve seen similar setups work wonderfully for developing chocolate-based pastry recipes that combine both innovation and practicality.
Advanced Capabilities for Chocolate Innovation
The innovation hub’s focus extends far beyond basic product development. Blommer has invested in cutting-edge equipment that enables comprehensive research across multiple dimensions of chocolate production. The facility will support five key research areas: product development, concept testing, processing research, ingredient research, and application development.
What sets this center apart is its ability to replicate actual manufacturing conditions at a smaller scale. This capability allows Blommer’s R&D team to test new formulations under conditions that closely mimic full production environments, reducing the gap between concept and commercial viability. The enhanced analytical instruments provide deeper insights into chocolate properties, composition, and behavior.
The sensory lab represents another significant advancement in Blommer’s research capabilities. Here, professional tasters can evaluate chocolate products in a controlled environment, assessing factors like flavor profiles, texture, mouthfeel, and aroma. These detailed sensory analyses help refine products to match specific customer requirements and consumer preferences, which is particularly important as we face a global cocoa shortage that impacts chocolate production worldwide.
Customer collaboration stands as a central pillar of the innovation hub’s design philosophy. Unlike traditional R&D facilities that often operate behind closed doors, Blommer has created spaces specifically for on-site engagement with clients. This collaborative approach allows for real-time feedback and ideation, speeding up the development process while ensuring products meet exact specifications.
Strategic Significance for Blommer’s Future
The opening of this innovation hub comes at a pivotal moment in Blommer’s history. Following the closure of its historic Chicago manufacturing plant, the company needed to maintain its Chicago presence while adapting to changing market conditions. This new facility accomplishes both goals, honoring Blommer’s deep Chicago roots while positioning the company for future growth.
Mark Okita, COO and President of Blommer, emphasized the center’s accessibility: “The R&D Centre is a place where anyone can discuss new chocolate ideas with Blommer members, regardless of scale.” This statement reflects Blommer’s commitment to working with partners of all sizes, from small artisanal chocolatiers to major food manufacturers, fostering an inclusive approach to innovation that benefits the entire industry.
The strategic location in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart places Blommer in close proximity to other food innovators, potential partners, and talent pools. This proximity creates opportunities for cross-pollination of ideas and collaborative projects that wouldn’t be possible in an isolated facility. Such collaborations could lead to exciting new chocolate products that might one day rank among the most popular desserts of the year.
By maintaining a significant presence in Chicago despite moving manufacturing operations elsewhere, Blommer demonstrates its commitment to preserving its heritage while adapting to modern business realities. The innovation hub serves as a bridge between tradition and future potential, allowing the company to honor its past while pursuing new opportunities.
Blommer’s Rich History and Industry Position
Founded in Chicago in 1939, Blommer Chocolate Company has grown from humble beginnings to become North America’s largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate supplier. The company’s journey spans over eight decades of chocolate innovation, quality, and growth. In 2018, Blommer became a subsidiary of Fuji Oil Holdings Inc., expanding its global reach while maintaining its core values.
Beyond Chicago, Blommer operates facilities in East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Union City, California; and Campbellford, Ontario. Each location contributes to the company’s substantial manufacturing capacity, serving customers throughout North America and beyond. This network of facilities allows Blommer to maintain consistent supply chains while responding to regional preferences and requirements.
Compared to other major industry players, Blommer’s new R&D capabilities place it at the forefront of chocolate innovation in North America. While European chocolate giants like Lindt have established R&D centers across the Atlantic, Blommer’s investment ensures that American chocolate production remains competitive and innovative. The company’s website (https://www.blommer.com) showcases their comprehensive range of chocolate solutions and capabilities.
Blommer’s history of innovation includes pioneering work in compound coatings, sustainable cocoa sourcing, and specialized chocolate formulations for various applications. The new innovation hub will build upon this legacy, equipping Blommer’s researchers with the tools they need to develop the next generation of chocolate products and processes. My experience with traditional chocolate-based desserts like creamy vanilla flan makes me particularly excited to see how new chocolate innovations might transform classic recipes.
Future Impact on the Chocolate Industry
The $100 million investment behind Blommer’s innovation hub signals the company’s long-term commitment to advancing chocolate technology and customer experience. This substantial financial commitment goes beyond merely updating facilities; it represents a fundamental belief in the future growth potential of specialty chocolate products. According to the company announcement, “This new R&D Center will open in Fall 2024,” marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for chocolate innovation in Chicago.
For Chicago’s food industry landscape, the innovation hub’s arrival reinforces the city’s position as a food innovation center. The facility will likely attract chocolate professionals, food scientists, and culinary experts to the area, creating a cluster of talent that benefits the broader food ecosystem. Additionally, the hub will serve as a destination for food companies seeking chocolate expertise, bringing business visitors to Chicago.
The potential impact on chocolate and confectionery products could be substantial. With enhanced research capabilities, Blommer is positioned to develop improved formulations that address emerging consumer demands for healthier options, clean labels, sustainable sourcing, and novel flavor experiences. These innovations may eventually find their way into products ranging from mass-market confections to premium artisanal chocolates.
Looking ahead, the innovation hub positions Blommer to adapt to changing market conditions and consumer preferences. As health consciousness, sustainability concerns, and flavor exploration continue to drive consumer choices, Blommer’s enhanced R&D capabilities will allow the company to stay ahead of these trends. This adaptability ensures that despite being an 85-year-old company, Blommer remains at the cutting edge of chocolate innovation, ready to shape the future of confectionery for decades to come.
I’m excited to see whether Blommer’s new facility might create opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Chicago area. If you know of a great local dessert shop that might benefit from connecting with industry resources, you can submit them to our business directory to help increase their visibility. Similarly, if you have a special chocolate recipe that’s been inspired by professional techniques, consider submitting your dessert recipe to share with our community of food enthusiasts.