Unilever opens major food innovation centre in The Netherlands | Progresiv

Unilever has opened its new global foods innovation centre on the campus of Wageningen University in The Netherlands.

Unilever has invested 85 million euros in the new centre, named ‘Hive’ for its location amidst leading academic research centres, start-ups and external partners. The site will lead Unilever’s food innovation programmes for brands like Knorr, Hellmann’s, The Vegetarian Butcher and Calvė.

The consumer goods giant revealed that key areas of research will include plant-based ingredients and meat alternatives, efficient crops, sustainable food packaging and nutritious foods.

Unilever’s CEO Alan Jope commented: “We need a fundamental transformation of the food system if we are to feed more than 9 billion people sustainably and nutritiously. Malnutrition, obesity, climate change and food waste are issues that can only be addressed if we work in partnership to accelerate technology and innovation.

“Having a global research and development centre in Wageningen will enable us to do exactly this.” (www.kamcity.com)