Aasted Expands into Candy Bar Lines
Bringing proven extrusion expertise into a growing global segment
For more than 100 years, Aasted has specialised in developing high quality solutions for the chocolate confectionery and fine bakery industries. Today, we are expanding that expertise into a new and closely related segment: candy bar production.
This marks a natural next step for Aasted. Building on many years of experience delivering extruded protein bar lines, we bring a strong foundation in similar processing technologies that can now be applied to the candy bar segment. Combined with our deep knowledge of tempered chocolate and a long history of delivering reliable, high-performance equipment, we are well positioned to support producers in a category where chocolate quality, process control, and consistency are critical.
A growing global category
Candy bars continue to hold a strong position in the global confectionery market, driven by their versatility, convenience, and ability to evolve with consumer preferences. From classic formats to new combinations of textures and fillings, the category remains highly relevant across regions.
Global demand for chocolate-based confectionery continues to rise, and the candy bar segment represents a significant and stable part of this development. The market is expected to reach approximately USD 72.7 billion in 2026, underlining both its scale and continued growth.
For producers, this creates new opportunities, but also increases demand for efficiency, flexibility, and consistent product quality.
Rethinking candy bar production
Traditional candy bar production often relies on multiple process steps, including several cooling drums for forming, slitting, and spreading for product sizing, cutting, and chocolate enrobing. While proven, this approach can generate material waste, particularly as the outer edges of the product sheet are trimmed off and discarded, require larger production footprints, and add complexity to operations.
At Aasted, we take a different approach.
Our candy bar line is designed around a more streamlined process, where forming replaces several traditional steps. By eliminating the need for slitting and spreading tables, the production flow becomes simpler, more efficient, and easier to operate.
This results in a shorter production line, fewer machines, and reduced complexity, while maintaining full control of product quality.
Maximising efficiency and reducing waste
- Higher yield from raw materials
- More sustainable production with less product waste
- Improved cost efficiency across the entire line
At the same time, fewer process steps contribute to easier operation and maintenance, supporting stable and reliable production.
Built for flexibility and scalability
The Aasted candy bar line is designed to support a wide range of product types, from one-layer bars to more complex multi-layer products with caramel, nougat, or/and inclusions such as nuts.
Flexibility is built into the system through simple size adjustments. By changing extrusion plates, producers can quickly adapt to different product widths and formats without major line modifications. This enables:
- Fast and easy product changeovers
- Minimal need for additional equipment or storage space
- A flexible setup that supports innovation and product variation
Whether producing high volume standard products or smaller, specialised batches, the line adapts to the producer’s needs.
Extending Aasted’s core expertise
Aasted’s entry into candy bar lines builds directly on our core strengths in extrusion technology. Through many years of delivering advanced extruded protein bar lines, we have developed deep expertise in forming, handling, and processing complex mass structures with high precision and consistency. At the heart of this capability is our unique Alice S extruder, which enables a highly controlled and flexible process, well suited for both protein and candy bar applications.
This same technological foundation can now be applied to the candy bar segment, where similar process principles enable more efficient and flexible production. Combined with our broader capabilities in chocolate processing, including tempering, moulding, and cooling, we can deliver complete, high-quality solutions tailored to both large-scale manufacturers and smaller producers.
Our ambition is clear: to provide candy bar production lines that meet the same high standards of performance, reliability, and product quality that Aasted is known for across the industry.
Experience the Candy Bar Line at Interpack 2026
As part of this new focus area, Aasted will showcase the Protein/Candy Bar Line at Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf from May 7 to 13.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet our sales specialists, experience the solution firsthand, and discuss how Aasted can support their specific production needs.
By entering the candy bar segment, Aasted builds on a strong foundation while introducing a new way of thinking about production. With a focus on efficiency, flexibility, and quality, we continue to support producers in delivering consistent, high-quality products to consumers worldwide.
