Flavor house Firmenich has launched its new biotechnology pilot plant and laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland. Leveraging novel digital technologies, the facility is touted as opening “a new era for the development of ingredients and clean label solutions” by providing faster speed-to-market and greater flexibility for customer collaboration.

Integrated into the group’s flagship ingredients production site at La Plaine, Geneva, the facility operates in accordance with safety and environmental standards, while reducing waste and energy consumption. 

“With our new biotechnology pilot plant closely connected with the ingredients production site, Firmenich provides integrated biotech development all the way down to the finished product, without any gaps,” said Genevieve Berger, chief research officer, Firmenich. 

“Opening a new era in ingredients creation, our pilot plant and laboratory harnesses new technologies to improve clean label solutions, while the latest digital innovation maximizes efficiency.”

Harnessing digital technology for increased automation, the pilot plant is able to move from single to continuous batch process, to increase the efficiency and speed of production while reducing the use of raw materials.

Keeping in line with Firmenich’s sustainability benchmarks, the new pilot plant benefits from bioreactors, which minimize both the amount of waste produced and energy consumed. 

Last month, Firmenich CEO Gilbert Ghostine signed a letter with more than 170 other businesses and investors, including Unilever, Danone and Ikea, calling on EU states to scale up climate action with an emissions reduction target of at least 55 percent by 2030 and an ambitious green recovery.

“Our new pilot plant provides greater flexibility to respond to customer needs in product development,” says Sarah Reisinger, senior vice president research operations, Firmenich. “Capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously, it also enables small scale production of trial batches for formulation or testing and regulatory validation.” 

Upcycling an existing building at the Firmenich site in La Plaine, the new facility also operates on full synergies with the ingredients production plant. 

Despite facing significant global challenges as a result of COVID-19, Firmenich has seen growth of 2.8 percent on a local currency basis, bringing group revenue up to CHF 3.9 billion (US$4.2 billion).