DSM-Firmenich opens Van Marken Food Innovation Center to empower producers

DSM-Firmenich has officially opened its Van Marken Food Innovation Center in Delft, Netherlands, offering food and drink manufacturers a state-of-the-art hub for product development, co-creation, and sustainable innovation.

The new facility is set to play a strategic role in accelerating global diet transformation and supporting producers in meeting rising consumer and regulatory demands.

The center will serve as the headquarters for DSM-Firmenich’s €3 billion Taste, Texture & Health business unit and features advanced application labs for dairy, bakery, and brewery sectors.

Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, the facility enables the development of sugar-reduction solutions, lactose-free products, and plant-based alternatives to meat, fish, and dairy.

For producers, the Van Marken Center offers direct access to:

• Ultra-modern co-creation kitchens and tasting facilities to fast-track formulation and sensory testing
• Precision tools for texture, nutrition, and taste optimisation across multiple food categories
• Sustainability-certified infrastructure (WELL Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding) that aligns with ESG goals 
• A collaborative ecosystem at the Biotech Campus Delft, connecting manufacturers to biotech talent and innovation networks

Patrick Niels, president of DSM-Firmenich’s Taste, Texture & Health unit, emphasised the center’s role in helping customers “create the future of food today,” citing its strategic location and legacy of innovation in Delft.

Patrick Niels, added: “Strategically positioned at the Dutch Biotech Campus Delft – the global food and biotechnology hotspot – the Van Marken Food Innovation Center underlines our ongoing dedication to contributing to the local environment and to the Netherlands, while honoring our 155-year legacy of food and biotechnology innovation in Delft.

The facility brings together over 400 employees and builds on recent investments in the Netherlands, including the company’s new headquarters in Maastricht.

The center is named in tribute to Jacques van Marken, a pioneering Delft entrepreneur and founder of the Yeast and Spirits Factory — later known as Gist-Brocades and acquired by DSM in 1998. His legacy of social reform and holistic business values continues to inspire DSM-Firmenich’s mission.

For food and beverage manufacturers, the Van Marken Food Innovation Center is positioned as a launchpad for creating delicious, nutritious, and sustainable products that meet the demands of modern consumers and global food systems.