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JDE Peet’s has unveiled a newly transformed innovation laboratory in Utrecht, the Netherlands, designed to accelerate the development of next-generation coffee products.

This state-of-the-art facility reflects the company’s commitment to customer-led innovation and reinforces the strategic role of its global R&D centre.

The innovative laboratory features a modular design that allows teams to rapidly create and test new coffee products, processes and packaging materials.

The investment in this facility complements the recent opening of another innovation centre in Joure, also in the Netherlands, which focuses on advanced extraction and freeze-drying technologies, marking a combined investment of €8 million.

Key areas of focus for the innovation lab include single-serve capsules, ready-to-drink formats, instant coffee and sustainable packaging solutions.

The lab is also equipped with advanced processing systems aimed at reducing energy consumption, aligning with JDE Peet’s Common Grounds sustainability goals.

Carolyn Adams, chief R&D officer at JDE Peet’s, said: “We’re proud that our next generation of coffee innovations will be developed in the home of our oldest and most beloved brands – Douwe Egberts".

He continued: "Coffee is one of the most exciting and fast-evolving consumer categories, with new flavors and formats emerging almost every week. The agile, modular setup of our innovation lab enables us to rapidly respond to consumer insights and quickly scale new flavours and formats – whether hot, cold, wet or dry – to full factory production.”

The lab is equipped with high-precision grinders, capsule fillers for single-serve espresso, and cutting-edge freeze-drying systems, including a -40°C freezer for next-generation instant coffee.

Recent successes from this facility include the development of non-dairy creamers with improved nutritional profiles, energy-efficient roasting methods and home-recyclable paper packaging for freeze-dried instant coffee.