9 Feb 2010 --- Symrise is significantly expanding its Flavor & Nutrition business in Russia and the CIS region with the setup of a fully integrated production site near Moscow. The new Symrise plant, which will be established on an existing site designed by the Russian Aromaros-M Group, will initially focus on supplying dry blends to customers in the region. Production is expected to start in the second half of 2010.

With the establishment of the production site Symrise is considerably increasing its presence in the large Russian market, where the company has already been an industry leader for years. The new site will enable Symrise to support strategic global customers by moving production closer to the region. In addition, the company intends to further increase its penetration of the local market.

Heinrich Schaper, President Flavor & Nutrition for the EAME region, said: “The establishment of our own production facilities represents a logical step to further extend our leading market position in a strategic growth region. It under-scores our alignment with key customers and our commitment to support them with a strong local presence. The establishment of a fully integrated facility in Russia enables us to service them faster and more directly, and it will provide an important advantage to our partners in our mutual drive for sustainable business growth.”

In order to secure a swift start of operations, Symrise will purchase property and existing buildings from the Aromaros-M Group, a leading manufacturer of food ingredients and flavors in Russia. The main industrial building has around 3,500 sqm and provides an excellent environment for the setup of production facilities and laboratories fulfilling the highest international standards.

The new production facility complements the established marketing, sales, sensory and consumer insights capabilities of Symrise in Russia. In addition, the company already expanded its local development and application laboratories for its key segments beverages, sweets, savory and snack foods in 2008.

Dr. Heinz-Juergen Bertram, Chief Executive Officer of Symrise, said: “This acquisition once again confirms our strategic focus on key emerging markets such as Russia and CIS. Symrise is already generating more than 40% of its global sales in these rapidly developing countries.”