top of page

The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

FoodBev Media Logo
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

IMCD Group has officially opened a new Technical Centre in Istanbul, expanding its regional innovation and formulation capabilities across food and nutrition, pharmaceuticals, beauty and personal care and coatings and construction.


Located in the Ataşehir district of Istanbul, the new facility consolidates several previously separate laboratories into a single integrated hub designed to provide formulation development, technical consultancy, pilot testing and product optimisation support for customers across Türkiye and neighbouring regions.


The investment forms part of IMCD’s wider global network of more than 80 technical centres and laboratories and reflects growing demand for localised innovation support within the speciality ingredients and chemicals sectors.


For the food and beverage industry, the new IMCD Türkiye Food & Nutrition Applications Laboratory will focus on supporting manufacturers in dairy, bakery, beverages, confectionery, meat and savoury categories. The laboratory combines global consumer trend insights with technical expertise to help brands optimise taste, texture, functionality and nutritional value in new product development.


The facility also offers pilot trials, ingredient optimisation and ready-to-use prototype concepts intended to accelerate speed-to-market for food and beverage manufacturers.


Aylin Zakuto, managing director of IMCD Türkiye, said: "Our Centre will be a chemical technology hub where customers will be able to accelerate product selection and formulation and attend technical training and seminars, leveraging IMCD’s global and local expertise to seize every local market opportunity."


The centre additionally introduces a dedicated pharmaceuticals laboratory for the first time in Türkiye, serving not only the domestic market but also the Middle East, Maghreb region, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa.


The pharmaceutical facility supports development across solid, liquid and semi-solid dosage forms, including active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulation support. According to the company, all development activities follow internationally recognised risk-based methodologies and Quality by Design principles to ensure robustness and reproducibility.


There are also purpose-built facilities for skincare, haircare, sunscreen and hygiene formulations and development and testing for decorative and industrial paints, wood coatings, adhesives and thermal insulation systems.


Headquartered in Rotterdam, IMCD Group operates across more than 60 countries and serves sectors including food and nutrition, pharmaceuticals, advanced materials and industrial solutions.


The company reported revenues of €4.779 billion in 2025 and employs more than 5,200 people globally. IMCD shares are traded on Euronext Amsterdam under the ticker IMCD.



Access more as a FoodBev subscriber

Sign up to FoodBev and unlock more insights from the international food and beverage industry. Subscribers have access to webinars, newsletters, publications and more...

Chinova Bioworks MPU | Feb 2026
Valio MPU | Apr-Sept 2026
Metpack MPU | Apr 2026
Nov - Food Bev - Website Banner - TIJ vs TTO 300x250.gif
Leah Smith

Leah Smith

8 May 2026

Ella’s Kitchen launches new children's snack range

Ella’s Kitchen is expanding beyond the baby food aisle with the launch of Ella’s Kitchen Kids, a new product line aimed at children aged 18 months and older.


The launch marks a significant strategic move for the brand as it looks to extend its presence beyond the weaning category and capture growing demand for healthier snack options for toddlers and young children.


Positioned as a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional children’s snacks, the new range combines bold flavours, playful branding and convenient formats with the nutritional standards parents associate with the Ella’s Kitchen brand.


The company said the range was developed in response to changing family eating habits and the lack of minimally processed snack options for older toddlers outside the baby aisle.


Initial products include Ella’s Kitchen Kids Crunchy Stix in Cheese + Onion, Tomato + Basil and Pesto varieties, alongside Ella’s Kitchen Kids Wild Crackers available in Tomato + Oregano, Pea + Basil and Carrot + Rosemary flavours.


Designed for lunchboxes, picnics and snacking occasions, the products are formulated with reduced salt levels and classified as non-HFSS options. According to the company, the Crunchy Stix contain less than 0.04g of salt per pack, while the Crackers contain less than 0.05g per serving.


Emma Wood, Senior Brand Manager at Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Ella’s Kitchen Kids is about recognising that the journey doesn’t stop at baby food. As little ones grow, their tastes, independence and routines all change – but parents still want options they can feel good about.”


The launch also signals Ella’s Kitchen’s wider ambitions within the children’s snacking market, with additional products and categories expected later this year.


Wood added that the company aims to help “raise the standards of the kids’ food category” by balancing taste, convenience and nutrition.

Related posts
Italian competition watchdog hits snacks ‘cartel’ with €23.3m fine

Italian competition watchdog hits snacks ‘cartel’ with €23.3m fine

KKR considering $10bn sale of Flora Food Group, Financial Times reports

KKR considering $10bn sale of Flora Food Group, Financial Times reports

Ferrero opens $75m Illinois production line for Nutella Peanut

Ferrero opens $75m Illinois production line for Nutella Peanut

Crosta Mollica expands premium pizza range with ‘Bianca’ base, Pinsa Bread and new SKUs

Crosta Mollica expands premium pizza range with ‘Bianca’ base, Pinsa Bread and new SKUs

Tropic’s non-browning banana wins key approvals in Japan and Brazil

Tropic’s non-browning banana wins key approvals in Japan and Brazil

PepsiCo Foundation expands regenerative olive farming programme in Spain

PepsiCo Foundation expands regenerative olive farming programme in Spain

bottom of page