Univar Solutions opens R&D kitchen to fuel European food technologists

Univar Solutions has made a significant investment in European food product development, announcing the opening of its Foodology by Univar Solutions kitchen at its Solution Center in Essen, Germany.

The new food kitchen will prioritize product innovation and growth, offering culinary novel solutions for customers and suppliers in Europe.

The new Essen kitchen is engineered to be a rapid development space, providing the equipment and expertise needed to formulate for a wide range of categories, including: bakery and confectionery applications, dairy and prepared foods, and plant-based protein and meat alternatives.

Rob Whitney, vice president of marketing and innovation for Univar Solutions, highlighted the facility’s purpose: “Our new test kitchen is a space where science, creativity, and industry expertise interconnect…we work alongside our customers to develop ingredient solutions that are practical and meet the needs of today’s consumers.”

The facility is specifically geared towards helping manufacturers overcome complex formulation hurdles:

• Plant-based and clean label: achieving desirable taste, texture, and stability in vegan and minimalist ingredient profiles.
• Nutritional fortification: integrating high levels of fibre or protein into recipes without compromising flavour or mouthfeel.
• Reduction goals: successfully reducing sugar or fat content while maintaining product indulgence and appeal.

The decision to site the new kitchen in Essen leverages Germany’s central location, making it an ideal logistical and distribution hub for scaling food businesses across Europe.

Aaron Lee, global vice president of Health & Nutrition for Univar Solutions, noted that the timing aligns perfectly with current market dynamics. “There is much opportunity for innovation now in the European market as the consumer demand for clean label products, plant-based proteins and alternatives, and sustainable and upcycled food products is on the rise.”

For food makers, the kitchen is designed to help technologists create “ground-breaking products that are not only delicious, but also healthy, nutritious, and sustainable.”