Brenntag Specialties has announced the opening of its new Innovation & Application Center for Food & Nutrition in Leeds, UK.

The facility will focus on research and development for the company’s Food & Nutrition applications, and will provide services for customer projects related to ingredient selection and formulation guidance.

Brenntag experts will serve customers and suppliers with concepts and prototype development, technical solutions and stability studies for a wide range of applications including plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, as well as bakery, dairy, meat, ready meals, sauces and dips, beverages and nutrition.

Technology installed in the new centre includes ovens from MIWE and Rational; an autoclave from Tuttnauer; a meat grinder from Mainca and meat tumbler from Vakona; a homogeniser from GEA; mixers from Stephan and Hobar; and dispersion units from Silverson. It also houses ice cream and sorbetto machines, a water bath for sous vide, a vacuum sealer and a canning machine.

Additionally, an array of analytical technologies available at the site includes a texture analyser; viscometer; colourimetry tech; microscopy tech; moisture analyser; and Brix, Ph and water activity measurement solutions.

The new centre is located in the Lawnswood Business Park in North Leeds, alongside Brenntag’s UK headquarters and the existing Center for Personal Care. It is the latest member of Brenntag Specialties’ global network of 71 industry-focused facilities.

Jerzy Jasinski, global president for nutrition and president of Brenntag Specialties EMEA, said: “Brenntag acts as an important link with our customers and suppliers to bring innovation closer to the marketplace”.

“The new centre is a great addition to the strong network of now already 31 Food & Nutrition Innovation & Application Centers globally, and 13 in the EMEA region.”

Brenntag, the broader parent company of Brenntag Specialties and player in ingredients and chemicals distribution, is headquartered in Essen, Germany. It has more than 18,100 employees worldwide and operates a network of around 600 sites in more than 70 countries.