Chr Hansen Natural Colors has inaugurated a state-of-the-art R&D centre.

The expanded and completely renovated R&D facilities in Montpellier, France, will undoubtedly strengthen the companys possibilities to develop innovative and natural solutions in close collaboration with customers.

All is now set in place for a bright future for Chr Hansen Natural Colors, which is expected to be acquired - subject to regulatory clearance - next year by EQT, a global investment organisation.

"We are ramping up our R&D capabilities in pigment, formulation and application expertise. Also, we are accelerating our breeding programs and new technologies to secure sustainable and high-quality natural sources," said Luc Ganivet, VP Head of Innovation and Application. "More stable formulations and even new colours like blue and green will now be within our reach. This new centre will be a magnet to the brightest talents in the industry and will help us to remain a leading force. Montpellier lies in the heart of an exciting food science hub, with several universities and institutions renowned for their profound scientific expertise."

Relentless drive

Chr Hansen Natural Colors will be even better equipped to use its technical expertise and relentless drive for innovation to meet the challenges of conversion and cost optimisation.

Over the past five years, five to ten new products have seen the light of day annually as well as a steady stream of customisation projects for which Chr Hansen Natural Colors is renowned in the industry.

Innovations, such as the minimally processed red Hansen sweet potato that won the European FI Innovation Award for Natural & Clean Label and the American IFT Innovation Award last year, will continue to evolve from the expertise center in Montpellier.

Klaus Bjerrum, Executive VP, said: "A key objective for us is to secure knowledge sharing and alignment across our global organisation so that we can offer customers the same high level of expertise wherver they are located."

The skills and competencies gathered at the new centre will allow Chr Hansen Natural Colors to balance short and long term innovation needs as the company anchors numerous teams in Montpellier with expertise in raw materials, extraction and pigments, breeding, formulation and biotechnologies.

"When travel policies allow again, we are excited to welcome customers and academic partners and jointly accelerate colorful, natural innovations for modern health conscious consumers," Bjerrum concluded.