FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ new Singapore application center accelerates APAC health food R&D

FrieslandCampina Ingredients has inaugurated a new application center in Singapore, representing a 30% increase in local R&D space. The facility will serve health food and supplements innovation for Asia-Pacific markets, including Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. 

Currently, the company’s activities in Singapore mainly focus on infant and medical nutrition. But, with the new facility FrieslandCampina Ingredients can add capabilities in high-demand areas, such as performance nutrition and children’s nutrition.

The site has advanced laboratories for developing functional foods, including yogurts, bars, and supplements. It consolidates expertise in ultra high-temperature processing, analytical testing, sensory science, and packaging.

Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), FrieslandCampina Ingredients intends to help customers bring innovations to the APAC market faster.

“FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ new application centre is a valuable addition to our vibrant food and nutrition ecosystem,” says Melissa Guan, VP and head of Consumer at the Singapore EDB.

“The facility will accelerate innovation through co-development efforts with customers to support health and well-being outcomes across all life stages. We look forward to seeing FrieslandCampina Ingredients work closely with industry partners to create nutritional solutions that unlock new business opportunities in the APAC region.”

Nurturing young talent

As a “crucial part of the company’s innovation ecosystem,” FrieslandCampina Ingredients has held its headquarters for the APAC region in Singapore since 2011. It is the Dutch food giant’s only development center outside the Netherlands.

The new facility adds capabilities in high-demand categories, such as performance nutrition and children’s nutrition.As part of its work force expansion, the facility will collaborate with local institutions of higher learning to connect with young talent.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients also runs a long-term internship program with local universities, offering three internships under this initiative.

“The opening of our new application center in Singapore marks a pivotal time for our business,”comments Tjalling Bekker, regional director APAC, FrieslandCampina Ingredients. He says it highlights the company’s commitment to the strategically important region.

“The APAC market is changing rapidly. Consumers are prioritizing daily health, emotional wellness, and beauty-from-within,” he adds.

“Our new application center will help our customers succeed in this fast-moving and growing market by accelerating application development and enabling closer collaboration so we can navigate these exciting opportunities together.”

APAC-centered innovation

FrieslandCampina Ingredients highlights that four in five consumers in APAC are proactively taking nutritional supplements, which spells significant opportunities for consumer-focused application development.

The company will present its latest concepts and ingredients for the region’s trends and consumer demands at this week’s Vitafoods Asia 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. Nutrition Insight will be reporting live from the show floor on new innovations in spaces for healthy aging, active nutrition, beauty-from-within, and gut health.

Other notable features at the show will include TSI Group’s creatine and collagen synergy for grit-free functional beauty candies, as well as Ingredion’s healthy indulgence solutions for chewy textural mochi reinventions, “next-level” crispy chicken with a “spectrum of textures,” and fluffy eggless treats.