International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) announced this week the opening of its new liquid manufacturing plant in Jurong, Singapore. The 12,000 square-metre facility is part of a previously announced US$100 million investment by the company in Asia, and replaces its existing plant in the same area.
“Our continued investment reflects our confidence in the future growth opportunities in this market both for our customers and for IFF,” said Doug Tough, CEO of the American company.
The new plant, which has a production capacity of up to 20,000 metric tons, was built with automated processes that dramatically minimised water usage, energy and cleaning chemicals. All waste water is treated on site will generate virtually no solid waste.
It is the second plant IFF has opened in Asia this year, following the inauguration of a flavour facility in Delhi, taking the company’s Indian presence to six cities.
Well established in Asia
Then, Hernan Vaisman, group president of Flavors, told FoodNavigator-Asia that the firm’s presence in the India market was “quite well established.”
“We are seeing people with either a need or a desire to avail themselves of more convenience in the form of prepared foods, beverages, sweets and dairy products that fit better into their changing lifestyles,” he said.
In addition to manufacturing liquid flavors and fragrances for Asia, the new Singapore plant will also provide support to the company’s Centre of Excellence for Functional Fragrances, which is housed nearby.
Tan Choon Shian, deputy managing director of the Singapore Economic Development Board, said that the city state is keen to attract more players in this field: “[We are] committed to developing a vibrant ecosystem of flavours and fragrances suppliers that can support the research and development activities of consumer goods companies to develop products that cater to the needs of Asian consumers.”
Accelerated growth
FoodNavigator-Asia reported early last year that IFF’s Singapore plant was one of two new Asian facilities the company was planning to open, alongside the Delhi plant and another in Guangzhou, China, which will solely cater for the local market and supply all product types.
At the time, Tough said: “As the growth of the region continues to accelerate, it is important that we align our infrastructure to support our capacity requirements. [This] investment reflects our continued confidence in our growth strategies in the region.”
