Firmenich Breaks Ground on World-Class Flavors Plant in China
28 Mar 2017 --- Firmenich officially started the construction of its new world-class manufacturing facility dedicated to flavors in Zhangjiagang, China. The symbolic ground-breaking ceremony was attended by local dignitaries and authorities, including the Secretary of Communist Party of China of Zhang Jia Gang city. This new plant, at the cutting edge of the industry from both a technology and capacity perspective, will enable Firmenich to provide superior service to its customers across China with increased speed-to-market and operational excellence.
“Our significant investment in Zhangjiagang, reinforces our long-term commitment to China, our second largest market worldwide,” said Gilbert Ghostine, CEO Firmenich. “It is critical for us to operate with worldclass capacity and technology in China, to best meet the dynamic innovation needs of our global and local customers.”
“By significantly increasing our flavor production capacity in China, we are accelerating our customers’ access to our flavor solutions,” said Boet Brinkgreve, President of Firmenich China and Global Ingredients. “This cutting-edge plant is designed to not only increase our operational efficiency, but also to optimize our environmental footprint.” 
To advance Firmenich’s ambitious 2020 environmental goals, this site is being constructed according to the highest sustainability standards, particularly in the areas of water and emission management. The plant will have a state-of-the-art waste water treatment system, enabling the recycling of the water used on site. It will also use high efficiency processing equipment, lighting, and building components to optimize energy consumption, while recovering heat from cleaning water and building ventilation.
Heidi Salon Senior Manager Corporate Communications at Firmenich told FoodIngredientsFirst: “We have great ambitions for China which is a strategic, high-growth market for Firmenich, with over a billion Chinese consumers. We will be producing liquid flavors across multiple flavor segments and technology platforms at the new plant.”
“At Firmenich we are deeply committed to the Chinese market, our second largest market worldwide. We have been operating in China since 1989 and have been growing our footprint and presence there ever since. We were the first Fragrance and Flavor house to have full R&D capability in China, when we launched our leading Research and Development Center in Shanghai in 2006. It works in close collaboration with our Geneva and New York Research Centers to lead our world-class research. The new plant expected to open in 2019, will complement the Group's existing manufacturing facilities in Shanghai and Kunming. We also have commercial offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou,” she explains.
Firmenich has been well established in China for over 20 years. This new site expected to open in 2019, will complement the Group’s existing manufacturing facilities in Shanghai and Kunming. To best meet its customers’ needs with innovative and locally-relevant solutions, Firmenich also operates a state-of-the-art Research and Development facility in Shanghai and commercial offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.
by Elizabeth Kenward
