• New Life Science hub to strengthens innovation for the German food and beverage industry

IMCD Group (“IMCD” or “Company”), a global leading partner for the distribution and formulation of speciality chemicals and ingredients, has comprehensively modernised its Food & Nutrition application laboratory in Germany and has now officially reopened it at its Cologne site. With the high-quality laboratory, IMCD is strengthening its technical expertise in the food and nutrition sector and offering manufacturers a practical environment in which new recipes, market-relevant concepts and joint innovation projects can be developed.

The opening marks a strategic milestone for IMCD Germany. For the first time, the company is combining three specialised laboratory areas under one roof: Food & Nutrition, Pharmaceutical, and Beauty & Personal Care. “The new Life Science Hub strengthens interdisciplinary product development and provides our food and beverage customers with a best-in-class environment for application support, technical consulting and regulatory support with the aim of developing innovative and market-ready solutions,” explains Daniel Kany, Business Unit Manager Food & Nutrition at IMCD Germany.

• Food & Nutrition Laboratory: The new Cologne laboratory combines market and industry expertise with state-of-the-art technology and focuses on all market segments such as Bakery, Beverage, Confectionery, Dairy, Edible Oils & Fats, Fruits & Vegetables, Nutrition and Savoury. As part of a global network, the laboratory offers solutions for complex formulation tasks. The technical focus of the local experts includes solutions for taste, texture, nutrition and function. Customers benefit from practical formulation development, a broad portfolio and technical know-how.

• Pharmaceutical Technical Centre (PTC): For more than 10 years, the PTC in Cologne has been supporting the development of formulations for pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. With state-of-the-art equipment and technologies for solid, semi-solid and liquid formulations, the laboratory supports manufacturers in the development of patient-friendly dosage forms, among other things. A broad portfolio of excipients from leading suppliers and expertise in flavor masking enables innovative formulations. This includes regulatory advice, practical training and exchange in the global laboratory network.

• Beauty & Personal Care Laboratory: The technical experts from Beauty & Personal Care support brands in the development of innovative formulations for skin care, sun protection, hair and body care, fragrances and cosmetics at the Cologne location. In the adjoining beauty studio, tailor-made product prototype concepts are created together with customers. In addition, the laboratory offers formulation training, sample kits, individual application tests and seminars on current trends and ingredients.

Synergies under one roof

The close networking of the three laboratories in the new Life Science Hub creates synergies that allow innovative formulations to be developed faster and more practically. “With our modern equipment, the test kitchen and the interdisciplinary interfaces, we can support our customers even more specifically with demanding recipes,” explains Katja Wilmes, Application Technologist of the Food & Nutrition Business Unit at IMCD Germany. “Whether we intensify the taste, improve the mouthfeel, extend the shelf life or enrich products with nutrients – we combine the right ingredients with technical expertise. This results in new solutions that can be quickly adapted to changing market conditions.”

A glance into the Food & Nutrition Laboratory

The new location in Cologne is now open for customer visits and joint projects. Interested parties are invited to make a personal appointment and get to know the possibilities of the Life Science Hub on site. A compact virtual tour of the new Food & Nutrition laboratory with insights into equipment and applications can be found in the video on our website.

IMCD Food & Nutrition Laboratory in Cologne, Germany (Photo: IMCD)

About IMCD Group  

IMCD Group, headquartered in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, is a leading global partner for the distribution and formulation of speciality chemicals and ingredients. A strong, innovative business partner and solutions provider for producers of consumer, industrial and durable goods in multiple business sectors: Advanced Materials, Beauty & Personal Care, Coatings & Construction, Food & Nutrition, Home Care and Industrial & Institutional Care (I&I), Industrial Solutions, Lubricants & Energy, and Pharmaceuticals.

In partnership with our suppliers, we offer a broad and deep product portfolio. With our over 80 application laboratories across 60 countries, we co-create formulations and offer ’Sustainable Solutions’ that allow our business partners to make products with a positive impact on the world of today, and tomorrow. Our teams focus on providing commercial and operational excellence, using the best digital and logistics tools available to create a world of opportunity for our partners. 

In 2024, with over 5,100 employees, IMCD realised revenues of EUR 4,728 million. IMCD N.V.’s shares are traded at Euronext Amsterdam (symbol: IMCD) and are included in the Dutch ESG AEX index, as one of 25 companies within the AEX and AMX indices demonstrating best ESG practices.

For further information, please visit www.imcdgroup.com or www.imcd.de