Flavourtech strengthens European footprint with opening of Wageningen hub
Australian processing technology specialist Flavourtech has officially inaugurated its new European headquarters within the landmark Plus Ultra III building at Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
The move, celebrated on 12 November 2025, marks a significant expansion for the manufacturer of aroma recovery, extraction, and evaporation solutions. By embedding itself within the world-renowned "Foodvalley" ecosystem, Flavourtech joins a global hub of over 200 food-related organizations, including industry giants like Unilever, FrieslandCampina, and DSM-Firmenich.
The Plus Ultra III facility is a pioneer in sustainable architecture, standing as the first laboratory building in the Netherlands constructed almost entirely of cross laminated timber (CLT). Developed by Kadans Science Partner, the CO₂-negative structure aligns with the circularity goals of the modern food and drink industry.
For Flavourtech, the facility provides a sophisticated dual-purpose space with mezzanine offices housing the company’s expanding European sales and operations teams. A state-of-the-art pilot plant offers a dedicated ground-floor space designed for customer trials, and is set to be fully operational for client testing by early 2026.
The site’s primary draw is the pilot plant, which will allow European manufacturers to conduct real-world trials on Flavourtech’s flagship technologies, including the Spinning Cone Column (SCC), the Centritherm evaporator, and the Integrated Extraction System (IES).
"Our European customers are very excited that we have our offices and, more importantly, our pilot plant at Wageningen University," said Leon Skaliotis, general manager of Flavourtech. "We look forward to future collaboration with academic staff and the international business community in developing the food and beverage tastes of the future."
The facility is specifically designed to help brands experiment with:
- Dealcoholisation: producing zero-alcohol beer and wine while retaining delicate top-note aromas.
- Aroma recovery: capturing natural flavours from by-products to create new revenue streams.
- RTD tea and coffee: refining high-quality extracts for the burgeoning ready-to-drink market.
The Netherlands opening is part of a broader expansion for Flavourtech, which recently inaugurated an expanded manufacturing headquarters in Griffith, Australia. With additional pilot sites in Kansas City (USA) and Australia, the company is positioning itself to meet rising global demand for "clean label" processing and high-intensity natural flavours.
The Plus Ultra III project was officially opened by Wageningen’s Mayor, Floor Vermeulen, alongside representatives from WUR and Kadans Science Partner, highlighting the building's role in the "Future of Protein" and circular food system transitions.
