Firmenich invests in ‘strategic partnership’ with West African college
The flavour and fragrance giant said its strategic partnership with the Yaba College of Technology (YabeTech)in Lagos, Nigeria will serve to solidify the company’s commercial production of flavours for applications in the food and beverage industry in the area.
As part of the partnership YabaTech has provided a space within its Food Technology department, which will act as a designated Firmenich flavour application lab. Firmenich say the lab will be fitted with all the necessary equipment to prepare food and beverage samples and concepts in the fields of confectionery, bakery, juices and nectars, carbonated soft drinks, dairy and alcoholic beverages.
The Swiss based company said that leveraging local academic expertise will reinforce connections with its local customers, could lead to a positive impact on the economy: “The partnership with The Yaba College of Technology demonstrates our commitment to developing a direct presence in Nigeria to ensure an understanding of the Nigerian consumers taste and be closer to the local food and beverage manufacturers,” said Emmanuel Frenck, VP for sub Saharan Africa, Firmenich Flavor Division.
Frenck said the ‘close partnership’ with the institution offers “great potential to capture ideas and create technical solutions for our local customers through the expertise of our Yaba Food Technology partners.”
He added that the exchange of learning will be in both directions, explaining that the company’s flavour expertise will be passed on to students at YabaTech as part of its commitment to sustainability.
