ty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands today formally opened the FrieslandCampina Innovation Centre on the campus of Wageningen University & Research Centre.Her Majesty Máxima declared the new Innovation Centre open by pouring a jug of milk. The event also underpinned the importance of innovation and the issue of global food security, given that 16 October has been designated World Food Day by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. will use the new Innovation Centre to bring together its international research and development know-how.
The Innovation Centre cost circa €16 million and accommodates 450 staff, 350 of whom are R&D personnel who will have access to approximately 18,000 square metres of laboratories, test areas and a pilot plant.
FrieslandCampina CEO Cees Hart said at the opening that "FrieslandCampina now has a state-of-the-art innovation centre that will work towards bringing about innovative and sustainable solutions for all these global issues".
In a video message to the assembled company, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan encouraged FrieslandCampina to use its extensive network, global presence and knowledge to benefit food security and sustainability. “Innovation after all has no geographic limits. It can and should be applied for global goals. FrieslandCampina can make a crucial contribution to alleviate global hunger,” Mr Annan said.
