Summary
- Profile Type
- Business request
- POD Reference
- BRBE20241126016
- Term of Validity
- 9 July 2025 - 9 July 2026
- Company's Country
- Belgium
- Type of partnership
- Supplier agreement
- Commercial agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- A leading Belgian confectionery (candy) manufacturer is looking for a reliable supplier of wooden sticks suitable for food contact to replace single-use plastic sticks. The supplier should be located in Europe and offer products that comply with strict quality and food safety standards.
- Full Description
-
A family-owned Belgian confectionery manufacturer with almost a century of experience in producing high-quality candy products is seeking a supplier of wooden sticks to replace single-use plastic alternatives. The company specializes in creating authentic lollipops, gums and nougat-based candies using traditional recipes combined with state-of-the-art technology. Sustainability, quality, and innovation are central to their operations.
The search for a new supplier is driven by the European Union’s regulations on single-use plastics, which mandate the replacement of plastic lollipop sticks. The company is specifically looking for wooden sticks that meet the following criteria:
** Certified as safe for food contact under EU regulations.
** High-quality materials that ensure compatibility with the company’s production machinery.
** European origin to align with sustainability objectives and reduce the environmental impact of transport.
** Tight Dimensional Tolerances
The company has historically relied on custom-made plastic sticks, which offer flexibility and efficiency in automated production lines. Previous trials with paper sticks revealed significant challenges, including higher waste rates, reduced product durability and negative consumer feedback. Wooden sticks are considered the best alternative, provided they meet the required standards for quality and cost.
The company is committed to a smooth transition and seeks a supplier that can collaborate closely to minimize production disruptions. The ideal partner will share the company’s commitment to sustainability and quality while supporting the adaptation of their production processes to accommodate wooden sticks. - Advantages and Innovations
-
This partnership offers significant opportunities for suppliers:
** Long-term cooperation: The company is seeking a dependable supplier for large-scale, consistent orders to replace the 13 million plastic sticks previously purchased annually.
** High-quality standards: With a track record of achieving top-tier certifications, the company maintains rigorous quality control and seeks partners with a similar commitment to excellence.
** Innovation-driven business: The company continuously invests in research and development, offering suppliers the opportunity to contribute to innovative and forward-thinking production practices. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
- The partner is expected to supply high-quality wooden sticks suitable for food contact, certified according to EU regulations. They should ensure consistent product quality, provide relevant certifications (e.g., GFSI and food contact material certifications) and collaborate closely with the confectionery manufacturer to adapt the sticks to the technical requirements of the production process.
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
The ideal supplier will:
** Be located in Europe to ensure efficient logistics and compliance with EU regulations.
** Provide wooden sticks certified for food contact.
** Hold recognized quality certifications (e.g., GFSI standards).
** Offer product customization to meet the company’s specific technical requirements.
** Ensure consistency in product quality to enable seamless integration into automated production lines.
This collaboration represents an opportunity to work with an established and innovative confectionery manufacturer dedicated to creating high-quality products. - Type and Size of Partner
- SME <=10
- SME 50 - 249
- Big company
- SME 11-49
- Type of partnership
- Supplier agreement
- Commercial agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 07002005 - Wood Products
- 08001005 - Food Technology
- 08001003 - Food Packaging / Handling
- Market keywords
- 08005 - Other Industrial Products (not elsewhere classified)
- 09004006 - Packing products and systems
- 07003002 - Health food
- Targeted countries
- All countries