Firmenich has inaugurated its new regional hub at Dubai Science Park, the region's leading science-focused community. The newest Creation & Development Center further expands the company’s science and innovation capabilities through cutting edge technologies to service customers in more than 60 countries across the Middle East and Africa region. The 3,500-sqm area comprises a state-of-the-art research and science facility.

The official opening on 23 March 2022 was presided over by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Holding, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, Minister of Finance of Switzerland, and Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich. The event was attended by H.E. Massimo Baggi, Ambassador of Switzerland to the UAE and Bahrain, H.E. Malek Al Malek, Director General of Dubai Development Authority and Group CEO of TECOM Group, Abdulla Belhoul, Chief Commercial Officer of TECOM Group, Arnaud Bachellier, General Manager of Firmenich in the region, as well as Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Managing Director of Dubai Science Park.

Firmenich’s advanced creation and sampling laboratory will allow the company to deliver high-quality and innovative ingredients for fine fragrances and consumer fragrances (used in body care and home care products) as well as a variety of F&B flavors designed to delight consumers in the region. The company aims to accelerate innovation and global expansion with enhanced access to key markets and evolving trends, while reducing the time to market for new products.

A first of its kind in the region, Firmenich’s facility is built upon the company’s Lab 4.0 vision of a future-proof laboratory, which aims to optimize the end-to-end flow of samples using industry best practices and is powered by artificial intelligence (AI). It includes a fully automated warehouse that can stock up to 40,000 products as well as a compounding robot connected to more than 240 ingredients that can create a fragrance sample in less than a minute.

The new facility has been fully designed to accommodate Firmenich’s future expansion plans.

On this occasion, H.E. Ambassador Massimo Baggi reflected, “Switzerland and the UAE’s long-standing bilateral relationship has been of significant economic and cultural value to both countries. We strive to enrich this partnership and continue the advancement of several sectors with the fruitful exchange of knowledge, technological resources and talent. Firmenich’s expansion in Dubai contributes to this objective and we are proud to be able to inaugurate this plant in the presence of our Finance Minister, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer. Especially, as this regional headquarter will introduce even more technologies developed in Switzerland to nurture innovation and make a greater impact by leveraging investment and scientific research.”

Gilbert Ghostine, chief executive officer at Firmenich, commented, “Creative excellence is at the core of Firmenich’s operations, while at heart we are committed to science and innovation guided by sustainability. These key ingredients have earned us our leading position within the industry, and we are confident they will continue to fuel our growth in new avenues. The Middle East & Africa region represents a strategic expansion opportunity for our company due to its diverse markets and wealth of opportunities. Our success stems from cultivating deep insights into our consumers and their preferences, and we can think of no better location to tap into the region’s rich audiences than Dubai Science Park. The business district’s world-class infrastructure and comprehensive, science-focused community bring us closer than ever to our audiences and will empower our ambitions to curate authentic experiences suited to regional tastes.”

H.E. Malek Al Malek, said, “Our leadership has been keen on developing a flourishing science sector within the region through strategic plans and a focused vision to develop an enabling business ecosystem suited to international companies and skilled talent in the various fields of science and research and development.”

He added, “Since its inception, the Group’s Dubai Science Park has contributed to laying the foundation of a globally competitive sector and attracted leading names and the brightest minds to enhance the landscape for research and development, while boosting the country’s exports from such vital and specialised sectors. The launch of Firmenich’s new regional hub in Dubai Science Park and their success over the past decade is yet another achievement for the emirate and marks a new milestone in cementing an integrated science, R&D environment for the UAE as a whole.”