Ramping up pigment, formulation and application capabilities to keep pioneering the natural colors industry
Co-creating with customers for a brilliant future: As the demand for natural colors continues to grow globally, Chr. Hansen Natural Colors shows a clear ambition to remain a leading supplier of natural color solutions. The expanded and completely renovated R&D facilities in Montpellier, France, will undoubtedly strengthen its 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 organization.
“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,” states Luc Ganivet, vice president, head of innovation and application. “More stable formulations and even new colors like blue and green will now be within our reach. This new center 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,” adds Ganivet.
Follow this link for a sneak peek of the modern R&D center.
Relentless drive for innovation and developing differentiated technical solutions
Chr. Hansen Natural Colors will be even better equipped to use its world-class technical expertise and relentless drive for innovation to meet the challenges of conversion and cost optimization. Also, the ambition to bring several new and unique products to customers remains stronger than ever. Over the past five years, five to ten new products have seen the light of day annually as well as a steady stream of customization projects for which Chr. Hansen Natural Colors is renowned in the industry. Groundbreaking 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.
A strong legacy of pioneering the global natural colors industry
“With the R&D center we are cementing our leading position and will be even better equipped to develop differentiated technical solutions that meet the challenges of our customers,” states Klaus Bjerrum, executive vice president. “A key objective for us is to secure knowledge sharing and alignment across our global organization so that we can offer customers the same high level of expertise wherever they are located.”
The skills and competencies gathered at the new center 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.
“We are proud to be the partner of choice for so many food and beverage manufacturers. We highly value their trust and we will continue to earn the right to be their chosen partner. 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 concludes.
About Chr. Hansen Natural Colors
The world leader, Chr. Hansen Natural Colors helps manufacturers bring safe and appetizing products to consumers at mealtimes – and any time in between. Our deep insights about markets, regulatory requirements, applications, pigments and phytonutrients place us at the forefront of the industry. Our color portfolio is the largest and most vibrant in the food industry, and our nutraceutical range has scientifically supported health benefits. We are part of Chr. Hansen Holding, known for our sustainability profile and our natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen, we employ over 3,000 people in 30 countries.
Chr. Hansen ist ein weltweit tätiges, breit aufgestelltes Biotechnologie-Unternehmen, das Lösungen mit natürlichen Inhaltsstoffen für die Lebensmittel-, Ernährungs-, Pharma- und Agrarindustrie entwickelt. Bei Chr. Hansen sind wir hervorragend positioniert, um positive Veränderungen durch mikrobielle Lösungen voranzutreiben. Seit fast 150 Jahren setzen wir uns für eine nachhaltige Landwirtschaft, bessere Lebensmittel und ein gesünderes Leben für mehr Menschen auf der ganzen Welt ein. Unsere mikrobielle Plattform und Fermentationstechnologie, einschließlich unseres vielfältigen und beeindruckenden Bestands von rund 50.000 mikrobiellen Stämmen, besitzen bahnbrechendes Potenzial. Abgestimmt auf Kundenbedürfnisse und internationale Trends erschließen wir weiterhin die Kraft guter Bakterien, um auf weltweite Herausforderungen wie Lebensmittelverschwendung, globale Gesundheit und den übermäßigen Einsatz von Antibiotika und Pestiziden zu reagieren. Als das weltweit nachhaltigste Biotechnologie-Unternehmen berühren wir jeden Tag das Leben von mehr als 1 Milliarde Menschen. Unser Ziel „Grow a better world. Naturally“ wird angetrieben durch unsere Innovationsgeschichte, Neugierde und Pionierarbeit in der Wissenschaft und ist das Herzstück von allem, was wir tun.
