Alpenliebe, a brand under Perfetti Van Melle, today announced a strategic partnership with Meilun, a leading mid-to-premium ice cream company in China, to launch the new “Alpenliebe × Meilun” ice cream series the first half of this 2026. This marks Alpenliebe’s first food and beverage licensing project in China, representing a key step in cross-category innovation while continuing the brand’s classic candy heritage.

Inspired by Alpenliebe’s signature smooth creamy texture and fruit flavors, the range has been developed and produced by Meilun under the licensing agreement. The products will be available across convenience stores, modern retail outlets and major e-commerce platforms nationwide. The series not only recreates the familiar flavors of Alpenliebe candies but also introduces a fresh and delightful experience through the new ice cream format.

The new ice cream series includes seven product lines with diverse formats and textures: creamy swirl ice creams combining imported milk and fruit flavors, refreshing fruit ice lollies, creative options with rich milk fillings and layered caramel-fruit-crisp combinations. Some products cleverly incorporate Alpenliebe’s iconic swirl design and candy elements from the “Fruit Chewy” series, enhancing brand recognition both visually and through taste. All products use carefully selected premium ingredients, maintaining Alpenliebe’s high-quality standards to ensure authentic flavors and smooth textures.

This collaboration also represents an important step in Alpenliebe’s localization strategy. By partnering with Meilun, which has over 30 years of experience in the Chinese ice cream market, the brand can respond more quickly to local consumer needs, explore new brand experiences beyond candy and gain valuable experience for future cross-category expansion.

Mr. Cao, Chairman of Meilun said: “We are honored to partner with Alpenliebe. By combining Alpenliebe’s iconic candy flavors with our expertise in ice cream production, we aim to create a product series that is highly trusted, visually recognizable, and delightfully innovative, so that consumers can enjoy the familiar taste of Alpenliebe in every bite.”

Since its launch in 1985, Alpenliebe has stayed true to “Love from the Alps”, building strong emotional connections globally, especially in Asia, through its smooth, creamy taste and heartwarming brand storytelling. Over the past 30+ years in China, Alpenliebe has become a sweet symbol of childhood memories while continuing to innovate and resonate culturally with new generations, helping them express love and share sweetness.

The launch of the ice cream series is a natural extension of Alpenliebe’s “Bring Hearts Closer” essence in new consumption scenarios—transitioning from a candy in the palm to an ice cream in hand, the heartfelt intent to share with loved ones remains unchanged.

ABOUT PERFETTI VAN MELE
Perfetti Van Melle is a global, privately owned confectionery group producing and distributing candies and chewing gum in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its portfolio features some of the world’s most iconic and beloved brands, including Chupa Chups, Mentos and Alpenliebe, alongside a broad portfolio of brands with strong roots in local and regional markets across all five continents.

Building on the cultural relevance and equity of its brands, Perfetti Van Melle Licensing has been unlocking new brand dimensions for more than 25 years, with its licensing program originating in Barcelona. Today, thirteen brands are actively developed through integrated lifestyle and food-to-food licensing programs in key markets around the world: Chupa Chups, Mentos, Alpenliebe, Airheads, Frisk, Fruit-tella, Morositas, Smint, Big Babol, Goleador, Brooklyn, Trident and Bubblicious.

By blending art, fashion, pop culture and candy, Perfetti Van Melle’s brands offer a strong creative platform for the development of distinctive lifestyle products, brand experiences and retail concepts. At the same time, the brands’ iconic and recognizable flavor profiles enable meaningful and innovative extensions into selected food and beverage categories, developed in collaboration with leading FMCG partners.