Chr. Hansen has entered into a cooperation agreement with PensionDanmark on a significant expansion of its main office campus and R&D facilities in Hoersholm north of Copenhagen. The project includes the establishment of a modern innovation campus with laboratories for an additional 250 scientists.

The aim is to create future-proof facilities for R&D sustaining Chr. Hansen’s position as a supplier of natural ingredients and microbial solutions to the global food, health and agricultural industries.

“This is truly an exciting project for Chr. Hansen, who has been growing steadily over the past years,” said CFO Soeren Westh Lonning. “With this investment, we will ensure room for growth and innovation gearing ourselves for the future, which looks promising for a company that offers natural and sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most important challenges such as reducing food waste, feeding a growing world population and reducing the use of chemicals.

Given the magnitude and strategic importance of the expansion to Chr. Hansen, it is critical to have a strong partner for the execution of the construction project. PensionDanmark was chosen as it is one of the 50 largest pension funds in Europe.

“Over the past decades, PensionDanmark has gathered solid experience as professional construction investor and co-developer on many large sustainable construction projects. This experience has given us the knowledge and competencies to execute special building projects together with our clients that meet their every demand,” said CEO Torben Möger Pedersen, PensionDanmark.

The first ground will be broken next year, and the new buildings are expected to be finished late 2022.

Chr. Hansen moved to the location in Hoersholm in 1988 after more than 90 years at a downtown Copenhagen address. The company was established in 1874 and has more than 3,700 employees in over 30 countries.