Fats and oil specialist AAK has opened a new office in China and appointed a new country manager, in a bid to get closer to its local customers.

The group, which has its headquarters in Sweden, has appointed Rick Luo as country manager for China.

Torben Friis Lange, vice president AAK and business area president, said the move "will significantly strengthen our ability to supply existing and potential new customers with our speciality oils and fats solutions and developing the good contacts already established in the Chinese market."

"This has also been requested by many of our Chinese customers. Our customers within Food Ingredients and Chocolate & Confectionery Fats value AAK as a strong and long-term business partner and we want to grow our business based on this foundation."