Chocolate and cocoa products manufacturer Barry Callebaut is boosting its presence in the North American market through the opening of a new specialty chocolate plant in Ontario, Canada.

Slated to become operational in 2024, the facility will be the company’s second largest plant in the Americas region and its largest-ever capital investment in a North American manufacturing site. The location is projected to have an initial capacity of more than 50,000 tn/yr of liquid and molded chocolate.

Notably, the site will focus on the production of sugar-free chocolate, a major growth segment within the greater chocolate market, along with other specialty goods like high-protein chocolate. Barry Callebaut cited data from market research firm IRI showing that the US specialty chocolate market expanded by over 5.9% in 2021.

“Consumers are searching for healthier and tasty solutions for the foods they love. ‘Free from’ foods like sugar-free or dairy-free are healthier options that also satisfy the indulgence they are craving,” Steve Woolley, president, Region Americas for Barry Callebaut, said in a recent company release. “Through the addition of a sugar-free facility, Barry Callebaut is positioning itself to be the leader in ‘Better for You’ offerings for our customers, which include a range of low- and sugar-free solutions.”

Barry Callebaut is investing $104 million to complete the project. The firm currently operates two other production sites in Canada.

The chocolate maker has made several major investments in its global production footprint this year. This March, Powder & Bulk Solids reported that Barry Callebaut added new production lines to its plant in Campbellfield, Australia and the company opened a new chocolate manufacturing site in Baramati, India.