Chr. Hansen Inaugurates New Innovation Facilities in Singapore

The ITC will improve our speed and competences as a development partner with food producers operating in the region, rather than just being a trusted supplier of natural ingredients.

15 Apr 2010 --- Chr. Hansen will open a new 'Industry Technology Center' (ITC) for its customers and distributors in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The ITC will serve as an advanced bioscience hub for new product development for the regional dairy and food & beverage industries.

"The opening of the ITC marks a natural next step up in the region to boost customeroriented product development and innovation processes," says Christian Overgaard, Regional Vice President, Chr. Hansen. "The ITC will be the main setting for collaboration between Chr. Hansen and our customers and distributors in the region. Here we will work together on customizing natural ingredients solutions such as dairy cultures and natural colors for yoghurt, beverages, confectionery and other food applications in our customers' product portfolios," expects Overgaard.

Singapore - the obvious location

Singapore was selected as the ITC location due to the city's proximity of talent and technical skills and a proven track record of smooth logistics operations and regulations.

The ITC which is located in the 'Singapore Science Park', one of South East Asia’s most prestigious R&D and technology hubs, is the Danish bioscience company's equivalent to existing development facilities in Denmark, USA, France and Germany.

From trusted supplier to development partner

"The ITC will improve our speed and competences as a development partner with food producers operating in the region, rather than just being a trusted supplier of natural ingredients," comments Chr. Hansen's Ian Morgan, Director, Regional Strategy Projects. "For instance, we expect the ITC to support us further exploring the opportunities for Chr. Hansen products in traditional Asian, Indian and Arabian products such as lactic acid bacteria drinks, dahi and laban. Moreover, the ITC will be a good base for increasing our cooperation with research associations and other regional stakeholders."

Main facilities in the ITC include:

* pilot plant for production of yoghurt-type dairy products, beverages and other foods
* food application and microbiology laboratories
* conference facilities for hosting innovation sessions with customers and for training events

Chr. Hansen covers the entire APMEA region (Asia Pacific/Middle East/Africa) through a combination of subsidiaries and local distributors.