Savoury ingredient innovation takes root within Wageningen’s Food Valley
KALAMAZOO, Michigan, U.S. – Kalsec® Inc. is expanding its existing footprint on the European continent with the opening of its Savoury Product Innovation Centre of Excellence (SPICE Lab) in Wageningen, Netherlands. Kalsec is a natural ingredient solutions provider for the food and beverage industry, with global headquarters in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This new facility will demonstrate Kalsec’s leadership in developing taste and sensory solutions derived from nature, with an emphasis on sauces, dressings and condiments applications.
“We chose to locate our new SPICE Lab in the heart of the Wageningen Food Valley to strengthen our position in the region and reinforce our commitment to our European customers,” said Julie Heine, Kalsec’s President and Chief Commercial Officer. “We are excited to tap into the abundance of agrifood innovation clustered at and around Wageningen University & Research.”
Kalsec has served food manufacturing customers in Europe for nearly 30 years, and has a regional headquarters located in the United Kingdom. The company worked in cooperation with Oost NL, the East Netherlands Development Agency; Foodvalley NL as a network partner for practical valorisation; and world-renowned University and Research institution WUR to establish Kalsec operations in Wageningen.
Dr. David Johnson, Kalsec’s Director of R&D – Europe, is building an international team of food scientists to facilitate research and new product development at the SPICE Lab. “We look forward to working in this amazing ecosystem as we develop partnerships with other pioneering food industry organizations,” he said.
Kalsec’s SPICE Lab is located at Plus Ultra II, a multi-tenant business facility on the Wageningen Campus. Plus Ultra II was developed by Kadans Science Partner with a priority on sustainability and the building has been categorized as energy label class A. WUR is similarly focused, with a mission to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life, and a GreenMetric ranking as the most sustainable university in the world. As a certified B Corp, Kalsec shares this dedication to sustainability, with a commitment to meeting the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Heine said, “It is our purpose to unlock the potential of people, nature and science to nourish the world. We are proud to contribute to the advancement of a more sustainable global food system.”
About Kalsec® Inc.
Kalsec® Inc provides innovative taste and sensory, natural food protection, natural colors, and advanced hops solutions to the food and beverage industries. We capture the best nature has to offer and utilize over 60 years of experience and industry leading innovation to make food and beverage products look better, taste better and last longer. Family owned and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan since 1958, Kalsec has regional offices, laboratories and sales teams in North America, Europe and Asia. As a certified B Corp, Kalsec makes ethical and sustainable decisions that serve our customers, employees, communities, and the environment. We are proud to be using our business as a force for good. For more information, visit www.kalsec.com.
