Givaudan celebrates ground-breaking of new innovation centre in Kemptthal, Switzerland
Givaudan today marked the start of the construction of a new innovation centre in Kemptthal, Switzerland, a CHF 120 million investment demonstrating its commitment to provide innovative solutions to customers in the flavour and fragrance industry. The symbolic ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Carmen Walker Späh, Councillor of the canton of Zurich, Bernard Hosang, Mayor of Lindau, and Dr Jürg Witmer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Givaudan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Jürg Witmer commented: “This is Givaudan’s biggest investment in a research centre to date, reflecting the importance of innovation within our 2020 strategy of long-term value creation. It underlines our commitment to create responsible and sustainable growth by building close partnerships with innovators, our customers, engaged employees and academia.”
The new centre for innovation, anticipated to open in 2019, will use the latest in design and collaboration technologies to stimulate creativity and interaction between diverse functions and teams in both Flavours and Fragrances, tapping into the broader community of innovators located on-site. Its innovative research areas will span from organic chemistry, naturals such as fermentation and biocatalysis, to flavour creation and application science, as well as delivery systems. The new buildings, integrating an atrium as a shared space for meetings and exchange, are being constructed in accordance with the LEED Gold sustainability standard to meet stringent sustainability requirements for resource-efficient construction and low operating costs.
Carmen Walker Späh, Councillor of the canton of Zurich, emphasised the socio-economic significance of the project in Switzerland: “The new research centre demonstrates an impressive level of commitment by Givaudan to the site in Kemptthal, guarantees jobs and strengthens Zurich’s reputation as a highly innovative canton.”
Together with an existing modern production facility for flavours in Dübendorf, the new site will form an important innovation centre for Givaudan in the Zurich area. The new building complex will provide space for 300 employees in flavour and fragrance research, flavour development and administrative functions, in addition to the 200 jobs currently located in Kemptthal.
About Givaudan
Givaudan is the global leader in the creation of fragrances and flavours. In close collaboration with food, beverage, consumer product and fragrance partners, Givaudan develops tastes and scents that delight consumers the world over. With a passion for understanding consumers’ preferences and a relentless drive to innovate, Givaudan is at the forefront of creating fragrances and flavours that ‘engage your senses’. The Company achieved sales of CHF 4.4 billion in 2015. Headquartered in Switzerland with a local presence in over 90 locations, the Company has more than 9,500 employees worldwide. Givaudan invites you to discover more at www.givaudan.com.
About Givaudan Research
Givaudan has Science & Technology centres in Cincinnati (USA), Ashford (UK), Argenteuil (F), Shanghai (CN), Naarden (NL) and Zurich. In 2015, the Company spent CHF 366 million on research and development. Please visit www.givaudan.com to find out more about the main focuses of our efforts to develop innovative fragrances and flavours.
For further information please contact
Peter Wullschleger, Media and Investor Relations
T +41 22 780 9093
E peter_b.wullschleger@givaudan.com
Hugo Felix, Communications Zurich
T +41 79 433 5085
E hugo.felix@givaudan.com