Ice Cream Industry Moves Towards Healthier Products and Inclusive Distribution Ecosystems
The Indonesian ice cream industry is shifting towards more integrated strategies combining product innovation, sustainability, and strengthened distribution networks. This change is driven by growing attention to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and shifting consumer preferences increasingly considering health aspects when choosing food and drink products.
At the TOP CSR Awards 2026, companies across various sectors presented CSR approaches increasingly integrated with business strategy. Notably, Aice Group emphasised integrating product innovation, social programmes, and distribution ecosystem strengthening as part of its sustainable growth strategy.
M Lutfi Handayani, Chair of the TOP CSR Awards 2026 organisers, stated this year’s evaluation emphasised the alignment between CSR and corporate business strategy, including ESG implementation and the resulting social and economic impacts.
“The assessment focuses on the alignment of CSR with business strategy, ESG application, and the social and economic impacts generated,” he said.
In its presentation, Aice highlighted changing consumer behaviour as a key driver for product development. Urban consumers, in particular, are increasingly mindful of sugar content, calories, and ingredient composition in their daily food and drink choices.
In response, Aice has developed innovative ice cream products with a more adaptive approach to healthy lifestyle trends, including low-calorie and sucrose-free variants. The company believes this shift relates not only to taste but also to how consumers perceive the balance between enjoying food and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Sylvana Zhong, Senior Brand Manager at Aice Group, said product innovation is part of the company’s adaptation to changing market dynamics.
“We see healthy lifestyle trends gaining traction among consumers, especially urban youth. This drives us to continuously innovate to keep our products relevant to their needs,” she said.
Beyond product aspects, Aice runs various CSR programmes covering education, health, and community empowerment. One long-term initiative is the construction of educational facilities in Lombok since 2018, part of the company’s contribution to human resource development.
Additionally, the company has run the “Berbagi Ramadhan” programme since 2016, reaching millions of beneficiaries across Indonesia, including distribution to over 5,000 mosques and prayer rooms in 2025. This remains a key annual social engagement initiative.
The “#15HariAiceBerbagiSehat” programme, launched in 2021, is part of the company’s sustainable approach, involving communities such as disability foundations, sports groups, and health education activities in various regions.
Operationally, Aice has strengthened its cold-chain distribution system to maintain product quality until it reaches end consumers. This enhancement is crucial for upholding quality standards while expanding domestic distribution reach.
The company also runs a partnership programme with MSMEs by providing freezers since 2016, aimed at helping small businesses grow while expanding product distribution access. To date, Aice’s distribution network covers over 400,000 small business partners, traditional warungs, and modern retail outlets across Indonesia.
As ESG adoption grows in the food and beverage industry, the integration of product innovation, CSR, and distribution is increasingly becoming a standard corporate strategy. In this context, Aice’s approach reflects the ice cream industry’s direction—focusing not just on business growth but also on strengthening a broader ecosystem, from consumers and communities to grassroots business partners. (E-1)