Cargill has opened its first innovation centre in Singapore as it looks to help its customers anticipate shifting consumer values around tastes, nutrition and food safety.
The company already has two innovation centres in the region – in Beijing and Shanghai – and chose Singapore for its third thanks to its strategic location and the government’s “strong focus” on building the country as a global innovation hub.
The new facility connects Cargill’s Asia Pacific customers to a global network of ten other innovation centres and 2,000 food scientists. The Singapore facility will employ 20 food scientists by the end of 2019.
Cargill’s global network of innovation centres provides research and development, applications and technical service support to its customers.
“Consumers in Asia Pacific want healthy and nutritious food and drinks but do not want to compromise on taste, quality and affordability,” said Peter Van Deursen, president of Cargill’s global starches, sweeteners and texturisers business.
“Our new innovation centre in Singapore will allow us to collaborate more closely with our customers in this region to create and reformulate products that better suit these changing consumer trends.”
Singapore Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon said: “In order to stay ahead, businesses will have to develop products that are tailored to the evolving needs and preferences of Asian consumers.
“Singapore, with its extensive regional connectivity, strong research base and clustering of innovation activities, is well-positioned for companies such as Cargill to harness the growth opportunities in Asia.”
Earlier this year, Cargill announced an investment of more than $200 million in Pakistan in the next three-to-five years. The company’s strategy includes expansion across its agricultural trading and supply chain, edible oils, dairy, meat and animal feed businesses, while ensuring safety and food traceability.
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