PR98235

GENEVA, Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The state-of-the-art campus represents an investment of nearly CHF 200 million

and confirms the long-term importance of Geneva in the company's global

operations

Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company,

today officially inaugurated its new campus in Geneva, in the presence of local

dignitaries and authorities. This new campus, at the cutting edge of the

industry from both a technology and capacity perspective, represents

Firmenich's commitment to operational excellence. The total investment for this

multi-year project amounts to nearly CHF 200 million and confirms the

importance of Geneva for the long term.

"Our state-of-the art campus will be a key component in accelerating innovation

and driving global expansion with enhanced capabilities," said Gilbert

Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich. "Our new campus in Geneva is the most significant

site for Firmenich and one of the most technologically-advanced in the industry

in terms of digitalization, innovation, science and naturals. Consistent with

our pioneering spirit, we developed this site to deliver superior services and

experiences to our customers, from the creation of their fragrance or taste

ingredients, right through to seamless production, while optimizing our

environmental footprint."

"This investment of nearly CHF 200 million is the most important one Firmenich

has ever made on a single site," revealed Patrick Firmenich, Chairman of the

Group. "This site significantly raises the bar of excellence within our

industry, and we are proud to be setting a new global benchmark in Geneva, the

heart of the global fragrance and taste industry. This site integrates

leading-edge technologies, nurtures innovation and seeks to push the boundaries

of scientific research. With this unique industrial project, we are

strengthening our center of excellence in Geneva for our long-term growth."

At the official ceremony, Mauro Poggia, President of the Geneva State Council

and State Councilor in charge of the Department of Security, Population and

Health (DSPS) said: "Firmenich is an industrial flagship, an excellent symbol

of the values that are specific to the canton of Geneva: it brings together

diverse cultures and identities; and it also combines a certain sense of

attachment to one's roots with an openness to the world."

The ceremony was attended by senior members of the State of Geneva, mayors of

local governments, academics, civil society representatives and business

leaders.

The new campus in Geneva, is located across the two communes of Satigny and La

Plaine. The combined surface area equals 225,000m[2], and houses 132,000m[2] of

infrastructure in total, including 22,000m[2] of new highly sophisticated

facilities. Firmenich Geneva includes: three technologically advanced

production plants with adjacent lab capabilities for Perfumery, Taste & Beyond

and Ingredients creation; a logistics hub and automated warehouse; an R&D

biotech pilot plant; and a pavilion for work and social gatherings where people

can also enjoy meals.

The campus is built upon the company's vision of a future-proof operation,

aimed at optimizing end-to-end workflows, using industry best practices and

integration of the latest robotics and artificial intelligence.

In addition to its operational excellence, the campus is designed to have a

limited environmental impact through innovative construction and intelligent

eco-management strategies. The new buildings benefit from minimized energy

requirements for heating and cooling. A smart system of thermal envelopes

significantly reduces heat loss, while renewable energy sources such as heat

pumps and geothermal boreholes are integrated to reduce dependence on fossil

fuels.

Extensive planting in and around the central pavilion, including a green roof,

aligns with the design intention of creating a habitat for flora and fauna,

improving biodiversity. The green roof also improves thermal insulation as well

as rainwater retention.

The new campus' award-winning design puts people's well-being at the center by

maximizing natural daylight in laboratories and offices. The multipurpose and

open workplaces foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

The site promotes low impact mobility and is equipped with charging stations

for electric vehicles and a large dedicated space for bikes.

The Geneva campus was built in various phases, starting in December 2017 and

the final fitting was done in February 2021. The campus is home to 1,450

people, including some of the world's leading scientists, perfumery and taste

creators, technicians, and operators.

About Firmenich

Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, was

founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895, and has been family-owned for 127

years. Firmenich is a leading business-to-business company specialized in the

research, creation, manufacture and sale of perfumes, flavors, and ingredients.

Renowned for its world-class research and creativity, as well as its leadership

in sustainability, Firmenich offers its customers superior innovation in

formulation, a broad and high-quality palette of ingredients, and proprietary

technologies including biotechnology, encapsulation, olfactory science, and

taste modulation. Firmenich had an annual turnover of 4.7 billion Swiss Francs

at end June 2022. More information about Firmenich is available at

www.firmenich.com.

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Source: Firmenich