Cargill has agreed to purchase Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM)'s global chocolate business for $440 million.

The newly expanded center is a unique environment where the company's own researchers work side-by-side with customers' staff in product research and development.

Cargill hopes to create a transparent global supply chain, which would support better incomes for farmers and a sustainable supply of cocoa and chocolate products.

Cocoa is a new crop in Vietnam, and many farmers still lack the knowledge, skills and expertise to achieve higher yields.

ADM also said it had recently had extensive negotiations with a potential buyer about the sale of the company’s global cocoa and chocolate business, but in the end, they couldn’t agree on terms.

The move is an effort to better the sugar supply chain by increasing its efficiency, quality and services.

There's a movement toward sugar reduction, and it’s making itself felt in the confectionery sector.

"We have people here who understand how to make chocolate... I want to ensure that we have an environment where these people can thrive,” Wurscher says.

The additional capacity will meet growing demand for chocolate in confectionary, bakery, dairy and artisanal applications from European customers.

The sixth edition of the Iron Confectioner had just begun, and frenzy ensued as both teams began collecting various caramel ingredients to bring back to their workstations.