dsm-firmenich inaugurates new food innovation center in the Netherlands

THE NETHERLANDS – dsm-firmenich, a global innovator in nutrition, health, and beauty, has officially inaugurated its Van Marken Food Innovation Center in Delft.

Strategically located at the Biotech Campus Delft, the new facility will play a central role in the company’s global network and its mission to support healthier, more sustainable diets worldwide.

The center will serve as the headquarters of dsm-firmenich’s Taste, Texture & Health business unit, which generates more than €3 billion (US$3.5 billion) annually. 

Housing over 400 employees, the facility features advanced application laboratories, tasting spaces, and pilot plants for cheese, bakery, and brewery innovations.

It is designed to accelerate the development of solutions ranging from sugar reduction and lactose-free products to next-generation plant-based alternatives to meat, fish, and dairy.

Patrick Niels, President of the Taste, Texture & Health unit, highlighted the strategic importance of the new hub, aligned with the company’s effort to make the future of food not just a vision, but a reality that dsm-firmenich aims to create with its customers. 

“Our commitment to innovation and sustainability is unparalleled. Positioned at the Dutch Biotech Campus Delft – a global hotspot for food and biotechnology – the Van Marken Food Innovation Center underlines our dedication to contributing to the Netherlands while honoring our 155-year legacy of innovation in Delft,” he said.

Beyond technical innovation, the new building has been developed as a model of sustainability and well-being. 

It is set to achieve WELL Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding certifications, reflecting the highest standards for environmental performance and workplace health. 

This aligns with dsm-firmenich’s broader strategy to deliver sustainable impact across the food chain while fostering a workplace that supports employee well-being.

Local officials have also emphasized the importance of the new center for the region. 

“dsm-firmenich’s Van Marken Food Innovation Center is of great importance to the province of Zuid-Holland. It strengthens the knowledge ecosystem, fuels economic growth, and contributes to the attractiveness of Delft and the Netherlands as a hub for global talent,” Wouter Kolff, the King’s Commissioner in the Province of South Holland, noted.

The center is named in honor of Jacques van Marken, a pioneering Delft entrepreneur and social reformer who founded the Yeast and Spirits Factory in 1869, later known as Gist-Brocades and acquired by DSM in 1998. 

His vision of combining business with social responsibility continues to inspire dsm-firmenich’s approach today.

With its latest investment in Delft, alongside recent expansions including its new Maastricht headquarters, dsm-firmenich is reinforcing its commitment to shaping the global diet transformation through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.

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