Danone opens new research center in Shanghai

Global food and beverage giant Danone has opened a new scientific research center for life-transforming nutrition in Shanghai, showing its confidence in China as both a market and an innovation hub.

Bruno Chevot, senior vice president of Greater China & Oceania at Danone Early Life Nutrition, said the new Danone Open Science Research Center will allow the company to work closely with the Chinese public and private sectors, universities, and dietary and medical experts to speed up innovations. "The result of our research will not just be used in China, but also exported to the rest of the world," he said.

The new center, launched on Thursday, will employ over 100 researchers in the fields of nutrition and food sensory science, food safety and quality, and data-led digital innovations.

The center will serve as a hub for conducting clinical studies in China while combining local insights with data-driven digital tools to develop innovative products and services tailored to the needs of Chinese consumers.

Chevot said China is Danone's second-largest market globally. In 2019, China accounted for about 10 percent of Danone's global sales. With this latest investment, Danone demonstrates its continued commitment to China's food and nutrition industry.

"The opening of the center is a testament to China and Shanghai's strength and capabilities as an innovation hub," he said, adding that the company has benefitted greatly from the city's business environment.

Shanghai is home to more than 470 research and development centers set up by foreign companies.