SCHOKINAG-Schokolade-Industrie
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGerman industrial chocolate manufacturer supplying liquid and solid chocolate products primarily to wholesalers and food manufacturers.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
SCHOKINAG-Schokolade-Industrie GmbH, commonly known as SCHOKINAG, is a Mannheim-based German manufacturer serving the industrial chocolate and cocoa-processing market. Unlike consumer-facing confectionery brands, the company primarily supplies wholesalers and other food businesses that use its ingredients in further processing. Its products include dark, milk and white chocolate, chocolate couvertures, liquid chocolate, solid chocolate formats, and decorative products such as curls and shavings. The business was established in 1923 as a family-owned company and has remained focused on supplying chocolate for industrial applications. Its manufacturing scope covers the processing of cocoa beans, cocoa butter and cocoa mass, allowing it to produce chocolate in forms adapted to bakery, confectionery, dessert, ice-cream and other food-manufacturing operations. Liquid chocolate is used for applications such as toppings and ice-cream preparations, while solid formats include chips intended for remelting, baking and decoration, as well as chunks used in bakery production. The company offers both standard formulations and recipes developed to meet individual customer requirements. SCHOKINAG was rebuilt after the destruction associated with the Second World War. A significant operational development followed in 1959, when the company made its first delivery of liquid chocolate. In 1978, Hans-Joachim Herrmann, a grandchild of the founding family, assumed management. Investment programs in 1990, 1993 and 2000 supported the expansion of the business and its production capabilities. The company developed an international commercial presence through SCHOKINAG North America, established in 1991, SCHOKINAG UK, established in 1997, and SCHOKINAG Chocolate Belgium, established in 2006. Ownership subsequently changed several times. Archer Daniels Midland acquired SCHOKINAG in 2009. In 2015, ADM sold the chocolate-production business to Cargill, while the cocoa division initially remained with ADM. Two Dutch financial investors acquired SCHOKINAG in 2016. The company joined the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa in 2019, linking its cocoa sourcing activities with a sector-wide sustainability initiative. In 2020, Malaysian cocoa and chocolate group Guan Chong Berhad acquired SCHOKINAG, bringing the German manufacturer into a larger international cocoa-processing group. SCHOKINAG mainly serves customers in the European Union and reports annual production capacity in the range of 80,000 to 90,000 tonnes. Its business positioning is therefore that of a business-to-business ingredient and semi-finished-product supplier rather than a retail chocolate brand. Product and sourcing credentials include IFS Food, ISO 50001, ISO 27001:2022, RSPO, Sedex, Kosher Dairy and HALAL certifications or memberships, as well as offerings using Fairtrade-certified cocoa under a Mass Balance model and Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa under a Segregated model. The company’s current role is best understood as an industrial chocolate specialist combining cocoa processing, couverture production, customized formulations and supply to food manufacturers.
History
SCHOKINAG-Schokolade-Industrie was founded in 1923 in Germany as a family-owned enterprise dedicated to producing chocolate for industrial processing. From its origins, the company operated primarily as a supplier to other businesses rather than as a maker of branded retail confectionery. Its customers used SCHOKINAG chocolate and couvertures in bakery, confectionery, dessert and related food applications. The company had to rebuild after the destruction of the Second World War. Reconstruction enabled it to resume and develop its manufacturing activities, and a notable product milestone came in 1959 with the first delivery of liquid chocolate. Liquid chocolate became an important part of the company’s industrial offering, supporting uses such as toppings and ice-cream applications. In 1978, Hans-Joachim Herrmann, a grandchild of the founding family, took over management of the business. SCHOKINAG expanded its production capabilities through investment projects in 1990, 1993 and 2000. It also created an international structure to support customers outside Germany. SCHOKINAG North America was founded in 1991, followed by SCHOKINAG UK in 1997 and SCHOKINAG Chocolate Belgium in 2006. These entities reflected the company’s orientation toward industrial customers and its growing reach across major chocolate-consuming and food-manufacturing markets. Ownership changed during the following decade. Archer Daniels Midland acquired SCHOKINAG in 2009. In 2015, ADM sold the chocolate-production business to Cargill, although the cocoa division initially stayed with ADM. SCHOKINAG was then acquired in 2016 by two Dutch financial investors. The company joined the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa in 2019, indicating participation in a national industry initiative focused on more sustainable cocoa practices. In 2020, Guan Chong Berhad, a Malaysian cocoa and chocolate group, took over SCHOKINAG. Under this ownership, the Mannheim company continued to operate as an industrial chocolate manufacturer. Its production portfolio includes dark, milk and white chocolate; liquid and solid couvertures; chips for remelting, baking and decorating; chunks for bakery applications; and decorative forms such as curls and shavings. SCHOKINAG also develops both standard and customer-specific recipes. The company’s main commercial market is the European Union, although its historical subsidiaries and international ownership reflect a broader operating network. Its stated annual production capacity is approximately 80,000 to 90,000 tonnes. Certifications and sourcing programs associated with the business include IFS Food, ISO 50001, ISO 27001:2022, RSPO, Sedex, Kosher Dairy and HALAL. SCHOKINAG also offers products made with Fairtrade-certified cocoa under a Mass Balance model and Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa under a Segregated model. These attributes complement its central market role as a supplier of cocoa-based semi-finished products to wholesalers and food manufacturers.
- 2020
Acquisition by Guan Chong Berhad
[1]Guan Chong Berhad acquired SCHOKINAG.
- 2019
Sustainable Cocoa Initiative membership
[1]SCHOKINAG joined the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa.
- 2016
Ownership transferred to Dutch investors
[1]Two Dutch financial investors acquired SCHOKINAG.
- 2015
Chocolate production sold to Cargill
[1]ADM sold SCHOKINAG's chocolate production to Cargill, while the cocoa division initially remained with ADM.
- 2009
Acquisition by ADM
[1]Archer Daniels Midland acquired SCHOKINAG.
- 2006
Belgian subsidiary established
[1]SCHOKINAG Chocolate Belgium was established.
- 1997
United Kingdom subsidiary established
[1]SCHOKINAG UK was established to support business in the British market.
- 1991
North American expansion
[1]SCHOKINAG North America was established.
- 1978
Hans-Joachim Herrmann assumes management
[1]Hans-Joachim Herrmann, a grandchild of the founding family, took over management of the company.
- 1959
First liquid-chocolate delivery
[1]SCHOKINAG made its first delivery of liquid chocolate, expanding its industrial product capabilities.
Products and positioning
A business-to-business European industrial chocolate supplier focused on semi-finished chocolate products, couvertures, cocoa-based ingredients and customized formulations for wholesalers and food manufacturers.
Industrial chocolate · 1959
Liquid chocolate
Liquid chocolate is supplied for downstream food-manufacturing applications, including toppings and ice-cream preparations. It forms part of SCHOKINAG’s industrial range and is designed for customers that incorporate chocolate into finished foods rather than sell the SCHOKINAG product directly to consumers.
Couverture chocolate
Chocolate couvertures
SCHOKINAG produces dark, milk and white chocolate couvertures in liquid and solid forms. These products are intended for professional food processors and can be used in coating, molding, baking, confectionery and other applications requiring chocolate with controlled processing characteristics.
Solid industrial chocolate
Chocolate chips
Solid chocolate chips are supplied for remelting, baking and decoration. They provide industrial customers with a convenient format for incorporating chocolate into recipes or converting it into another finished product.
Bakery ingredients
Chocolate chunks
Chocolate chunks are made for use in bakery production and related food applications. They are supplied as semi-finished ingredients to commercial customers rather than positioned as a consumer-packaged retail product.
Chocolate decoration
Chocolate decorations
The company produces decorative chocolate formats such as curls and shavings. These products are intended to finish or garnish bakery, dessert and confectionery items made by professional customers.
Custom industrial formulation
Customized chocolate recipes
In addition to standard recipes, SCHOKINAG develops tailor-made formulations for food-industry customers. Customization supports differing requirements for taste, format, processing and end use.
Brand decisions
2020
Acquisition by Guan Chong BerhadM&ABackground
Guan Chong Berhad expanded its international cocoa and chocolate operations through the purchase of the German industrial chocolate manufacturer.
Action taken
Guan Chong Berhad took over SCHOKINAG.
Aftermath
SCHOKINAG became part of the Guan Chong Berhad group while continuing its role as a Mannheim-based supplier of industrial chocolate products.
2016
Acquisition by Dutch financial investorsM&ABackground
Following the preceding ownership changes involving ADM and Cargill, SCHOKINAG was transferred to private financial ownership.
Action taken
Two Dutch financial investors acquired SCHOKINAG.
Aftermath
The company remained privately held until its acquisition by Guan Chong Berhad in 2020.
2015
Separation of chocolate production and sale to CargillM&ABackground
ADM reorganized its relationship with SCHOKINAG by selling the chocolate-production business while initially retaining the cocoa division.
Action taken
Cargill acquired SCHOKINAG’s chocolate production from ADM.
Aftermath
The business later changed ownership again when Dutch financial investors acquired SCHOKINAG in 2016.
2009
ADM acquisitionM&ABackground
SCHOKINAG entered the ownership of Archer Daniels Midland as part of the expansion of ADM’s food and cocoa-related activities.
Action taken
ADM acquired the company.
Aftermath
SCHOKINAG remained within ADM’s ownership until the later transfer of its chocolate-production business to Cargill in 2015.
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