21 Jan 2010 --- Fragrances and flavors manufacturer Symrise continues to expand both its product range and its capabilities in the South Asian region: a new plant for producing liquid flavors has commenced operations at the Symrise subsidiary in Singapore. Liquid flavors are used, for example, for adding flavor to beverages, ice cream and dairy products.

The ultramodern plant, which was customized for Symrise, adapts production efficiently to customer needs. State-of-the-art technology in barcoding, batch management and automatic dosing ensures greater production precision and more flexibility. Also, from an ecological perspective, the energy-saving and waste-reducing features of the plant are trendsetting.

During the opening celebrations, Symrise CEO Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram explained: “At Symrise, we believe in technology and innovation. A country like Singapore, with its focus on technology and innovation, is, therefore, an ideal location for us. Singapore’s very dynamic economy and highly skilled workforce were decisive factors for investing further here. In addition, the Asia Pacific region is one of our key markets.”

The construction of the plant was completed in close cooperation with the Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB). The government agency SEDB uses specific measures to promote Singapore as a business location. Leo Yip, Chairman of the 

SEDB, commented on the opening of the plant: “Symrise’s investment in the liquid automation project will bolster Singapore’s position as the company’s home for business and home for innovation. The company already has a regional headquarters here. This latest decision reflects Singapore‘s value also as a strategic location for innovation, to create new products, processes and technologies, that can be transferred to the company’s other sites.”

The investment in the plant is part of Symrise’s strategic expansion in Asia. Over the past few years, Symrise has systematically expanded its operations there, and, as recently as 2008, the Company opened a new plant for flavor encapsulation. Within three years, Symrise will invest approximately 40 million Singapore dollars in the location.

Declan MacFadden, Symrise President for Flavors Asia Pacific, explains: “With this investment, we are substantially improving our competitiveness in the Asian region. In the future, our capable team will be able to respond to the needs of our customers better, more quickly and more flexibly by being local.”

The flavors produced in Singapore are primarily for the South Asian market, which accounts for almost 50 percent of Symrise’s business in the Asia Pacific region.