Firmenich opens new R&D facility in Shanghai, China

Fragrances, flavours and ingredients developer Firmenich has opened a new Research and Development (R&D) facility in Shanghai, China.

The firm said the new facility is incorporated with laboratories cutting across the group’s leading scientific disciplines, which include the discovery and development of ingredients, besides technologies to improve fragrance and flavour performance, perception and delivery.

According to the firm, its scientists will work through group’s innovation pipeline hard to meet demand in China and the extended Asia Pacific region, while also contributing to the group’s global innovation programmes.

Firmenich CEO Patrick Firmenich said the firm took up the new move following the success of its first R&D facility in China inaugurated in 2006, while it will encourage the company to accelerate and expand its development pipeline more, according to perfumerflavorist.com.

"By deepening our understanding of the innovation needs in these markets, we are committed to supporting our clients’ growth in this dynamic region … we also expect this strengthened innovation hub to be a dynamic contributor to our global programs," added Firmenich.

The firm said the new site will become its third innovation hub globally, joining centres located in Europe (Geneva) and in North America (Princeton, NJ).

Firmenich is a Swiss-based privately-owned perfume and flavor business company, which ranks number two globally.

Its major competitors include Givaudan, International Flavors and Fragrances and Symrise.

In 2007, the firm acquired Danisco Flavor division, and in 2006, it bought Noville.