IFF expands Europe innovation hub with new flavor creation labs in Denmark

24 Mar 2023 --- International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has increased its innovation capabilities with two new flavor labs in Northern Europe. The sweet and culinary flavor creation labs are the latest addition to the company’s expansive campus that has been in operation since 1964, spanning more than 312,150 square feet in Brabrand, Denmark.

The innovation hub is home to more than 400 employees engaged in research, application development, ingredient and flavor creation. 

The facility will also enable local and regional manufacturers to collaborate closely with a new team of flavorists who will introduce the latest modulation technologies and develop solutions for the beverage, bakery, dairy, snacks, culinary, bars and confectionery end markets. 

Unique flavor experiences 
Working with an extensive library of proprietary flavor ingredients, they will create exciting and unique flavor experiences for consumers, especially in areas such as masking, sweetness and umami. 

IFF flavorists will enhance sweet and culinary capabilities with cutting-edge modulation technologies.“This expanded facility is a testament to our continued investment in innovation to meet evolving consumer expectations,” says Jan Bechtel, regional president of Nourish Europe, IFF. 

“We will continue to build on our deep expertise and scientific knowledge and invest in tools and products to bring what matters most to consumers in the market – creating the next generation of delicious, healthy and experiential food and beverages.”

Expert flavorists will have access to IFF’s latest research innovations, particularly in plant-based and biotechnology, along with resources like pilot plant manufacturing, ingredient expertise and evaluation studios, creating the perfect environment for end-to-end product design. 

Growth for local market preferences 
Laurens Reiber, creative director of Nourish Europe, IFF, says Brabrand is already a huge innovation center, and its location helps us better understand local market preferences and deliver trending global flavors. “Now we’re investing further to boost our speed-to-market capabilities and to bring greater value to our partners.” 

Following the completion of the Culinary Design Center last summer in Denmark, the opening of the new flavor labs is the company’s latest investment in R&D to develop winning solutions that meet customer and market needs with speed, agility and creativity. 

IFF also inaugurated its US-based Nourish Innovation Lab in August at the company’s Union Beach, New Jersey R&D center.

Edited by Elizabeth Green