Univar Solutions Launches Food & Beverage Innovation Hub in Essen, Germany
Essen, Germany – October 14, 2024 – Univar Solutions, a global chemical and ingredient distributor, today announced the opening of a dedicated food and beverage advancement kitchen within its Essen Solution Center. The new facility is designed to accelerate innovation and collaboration with customers across Europe,the Middle East,and Africa (EMEA).
The investment underscores Univar Solutions’ commitment to the rapidly evolving food and beverage industry, where demand for novel formulations, enduring ingredients, and efficient product development is surging. The essen center will provide customers with access to formulation expertise, application testing, and sensory evaluation capabilities, enabling them to quickly respond to market trends and consumer preferences. This launch positions univar Solutions to better serve the growing need for specialized ingredient solutions and technical support within the EMEA region.
“We are thrilled to expand our capabilities in Essen with this state-of-the-art food and beverage development kitchen,” said Kevin Godbold, Vice President, Marketing, EMEA, Univar Solutions. “This investment demonstrates our dedication to being a true solutions provider for our customers, helping them navigate complex formulation challenges and bring innovative products to market faster.”
The new kitchen is equipped with advanced technology and staffed by a team of experienced food scientists and application specialists. it will focus on key food and beverage categories, including bakery, beverages, dairy, and savory, with a particular emphasis on plant-based alternatives, clean label ingredients, and sugar reduction.
Univar Solutions’ Essen Solution Center already provides technical expertise and formulation support for a wide range of industries. The addition of the food and beverage development kitchen expands its offerings and reinforces its position as a leading partner for ingredient innovation. The company’s Foodology® platform, a comprehensive resource for food ingredient knowledge and expertise, will be integrated into the center’s services.
“The food and beverage industry is facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities,” added Godbold.”We believe that collaboration and innovation are essential to success, and this new development kitchen will serve as a hub for both.”