Fragrance and flavors manufacturer Firmenich announced the opening of its new Taste & Beyond Pilot Plant in Anaheim, CA Tuesday. Featuring new equipment and a variety of capabilities, the facility will help the company’s customers to develop new products and scale up production.  

The pilot plant can produce multiple prototypes and small-scale application samples of all product categories, including savory, beverages, and nutrition. Firmenich said the California location is ideal because of its proximity to the state’s community of food and beverage startups.

"The food & beverage industry is quickly evolving globally, and at an even faster rate here on the US West Coast. This sheer pace makes speed to market absolutely critical," Sherry Xian Linert, VP, Firmenich West Coast Ventures, said in a company release. "I'm excited to leverage our West Coast Innovation Center and new Pilot Plant, combined with our expertise in plant-based proteins and nutrition products, to work with customers on rapid prototyping. Together, this powerful combination enables us to help customers innovate quickly to win in a highly competitive market."

Chris Perkins, president and senior vice president, Taste & Beyond North America, Anaheim Mayor pro term Trevor O’Neil, and others attended a ribbon cutting event in Anaheim ot mark the opening of the facility.

“We have long invested in our West Coast operations. Five years ago, we established a dedicated business unit to serve this region's unique needs through our unparalleled product development expertise, high-performing flavors & taste technology and deep understanding of Human Insights and local market landscape,” said Perkins in a statement. “We have built a solid infrastructure, propelled by an incredibly talented team who have established a strong innovation network. Following the very successful opening of our Innovation Center last year, our fully-equipped Pilot Plant is a powerful next step in our vision for the West Coast, allowing us to partner even more impactfully with customers to create the next generation of consumer food & beverage experiences that are good for people and the planet."