Frutarom opens doors of European R&D hub

Frutarom has announced the opening of a new R&D facility in Switzerland, which will be the centre of innovation efforts in Europe for both flavours and fine ingredients.

The Israeli-based firm began construction of the centre twelve months ago. True to the company's maxim 'Passion for Taste and Health', it will focus on developing new flavours and food systems, and products that fall under its fine ingredients division like herbal extracts and functional ingredients.

The firm has been going through an extended period of expansion, notching up a total 14 acquisitions of other companies in the ingredients sector in the last 15 years. But R&D also plays an important part in the growth story.

It has a number of external agreements with biotech companies and research institutes, including one announced just this week with Tel Aviv University over a cinnamon extract with anti-viral properties. The new centre will facilitate more research on an internal basis, in parallel with deals such as this.

In the full year 2006 results, the company's R&D spend is bundled with marketing costs in its general and administrative expenses reporting line. This line read $48.5m compared to $43.8 in 2005.

Recent products to emerge from Frutarom's pipeline include pink rock rose (a herbal extract aimed at respiratory health), omega-3 rich Salvia seed oil, and wild green oat extract for mental health.

 Frutarom has had a strong presence in Switzerland since 2003, when it acquired Emil Flachsmann. The new centre has cost the company around €3m to date.

It boasts conference facilities, flavour creation and analysis centres, sensor technology, and areas for ingredient to be tested out in applications such as beverages, baked goods and confectionery.

Moreover, the Show Kitchen is intended to stimulate collaboration with customers and staff from other areas of the Frutarom operation, acting as a floor for demonstrating how its products can be used.

Beyond its functional purpose, Frutarom is also making much of the aesthetics of the centre. The green cube-shaped building is set in a 1,500 square metre park on the banks of Lake Zurich, with a number of art installations on the grounds.