dsm-firmenich strengthens innovation and smart production capabilities with two new facilities in Singapore

18 Sep 2024 4 min read

[Left to right] Levenza Toh, Vice President, Perfumery, SEA, Japan & Korea, Perfumery & Beauty; H.E. Frank Grütter, Ambassador of Switzerland to Singapore and Brunei; Dimitri de Vreeze, CEO of dsm-firmenich; Jun Saplad, Global Head, Regional and International Consumer Brands, Perfumery & Beauty Region President APAC; Tim Elisafan, Vice President, Taste, Asia Pacific, Taste, Texture & Health. (Photo credit: dsm-firmenich)

This press release was issued by dsm-firmenich.

dsm-firmenich, the leading innovator in nutrition, health and beauty, today unveils two new innovation and smart production facilities located in Tuas. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the FutureBites - Food Design Studio and the Perfumery Automated Compounding Encapsulation (PEACE) Facility represent an investment of close to S$30 million in Singapore to strengthen dsm-firmenich's research and development capabilities in food innovation, scale up manufacturing capacities, and to develop a stronger base of regional talent.

Today’s opening of the facilities was officiated by Dimitri de Vreeze, CEO of dsm-firmenich, and H.E. Frank Grütter, Ambassador of Switzerland to Singapore and Brunei. Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Research Foundation, Heng Swee Keat, was in attendance.

Strategically located in Singapore and the first of its kind in Asia, the FutureBites - Food Design Studio will serve as both a regional R&D hub and a global center in plant-based foods, enabling dsm-firmenich to improve speed to market and develop customized solutions catered to the diverse cuisines and taste preferences across Asia. The facility will bring together Singapore-based experts in consumer and sensory science, food technology, flavor chemistry, and product design to create healthier, sustainable food products for the future. The company will also collaborate with local research institutes and universities, such as the National University of Singapore (NUS) and A*STAR, driving further innovation. This facility is part of dsm-firmenich's continued investment in Singapore to lead the industry in solutions for alternative proteins, following the opening of its Culinary and SmartProteins^® Innovation Centre in Tuas in 2021.

The new PEACE Facility is dsm-firmenich's latest investment to improve its manufacturing and production capabilities. Located within an expansive 11,000-square-meter facility, the factory is designed to meet the growing demands of brands across Asia, providing them with the flexibility and speed required to stay ahead in Asia’s dynamic markets. The facility also houses dsm-firmenich's only APAC production site of its fragrance encapsulation technology for long-lasting fragrances - Popscent^®. This investment further reinforces dsm-firmenich's commitment towards sustainability and well-being. Construction of the PEACE Facility began in 2022, with the first batch of products set to be delivered by the end of September 2024.

“We recognize the immense potential of the Asia-Pacific region's dynamic nutrition, health, and beauty sectors. Singapore serves as the central hub for deploying and translating our global programs to the rest of Asia. Our new facilities in Tuas will drive the growth of our business and strengthen our strategic position, enabling us to offer additional innovation capabilities to our customers in Taste, Texture & Health and support fast growing demands of our partners in Perfumery & Beauty. By providing enhanced services to our customers, we help them deliver on their own business and sustainability goals, reinforcing our mission to create a healthier, more sustainable future.”

Dimitri de Vreeze

CEO

dsm-firmenich

“dsm-firmenich’s new facilities in Tuas will add to its strong innovation capabilities here, and strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading global innovation hub for the Flavours & Fragrances industry. The new capabilities will enable collaborations with local research and business partners in emergent areas such as novel foods, and allow the company to more effectively serve regional demand. We look forward to dsm-firmenich driving the development of sustainable innovation and solutions from Singapore.”

Lim Wey-Len

Executive Vice President

EDB

“Singapore operates as dsm-firmenich's Asia regional headquarters and innovation hub. The nation’s growing ecosystem of customers in the region, research partners and skilled talent pool provides the perfect opportunity to accelerate innovation. Aside from innovation, our new facilities in Tuas enhances our ability to serve our customers, and help deliver on our sustainability commitments. As part of our journey as innovators in nutrition, health and beauty, we continue to invest in our people and drive continuous improvements across our value chain.”

Jun Saplad

Global Head, Regional and International Consumer Brands, Perfumery & Beauty and Region President, APAC

dsm-firmenich

Driven by dsm-firmenich’s vision to be the most trusted partner for its customers, the Tuas site will deliver services to clients worldwide, including major multinational fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. Beyond serving local clients, the plant's products also reach a diverse array of Asian markets, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania and South Asia.

Since establishing its presence in Singapore in 1974, dsm-firmenich has strategically forged significant partnerships with leading companies and research organizations across Asia, with Singapore serving as its key Asia-Pacific hub. dsm-firmenich maintains a robust Singapore presence with 600 dedicated employees and 80 scientists and innovation experts across six offices and facilities.

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