Hive, the Unilever Foods Innovation Centre

Opened in November 2019, “Hive” is the € 85 million hub that will lead the Dutch Unilever’s global food innovation programmes for brands like Knorr, Hellmann’s, The Vegetarian Butcher and Calvé.

Areas of research will include plant-based ingredients and meat alternatives, efficient crops, sustainable food packaging and nutritious foods.

Located in the Wageningen area of the Netherlands, the centre is set amongst universities, start-ups, NGOs and research centres, facilitating the partnerships needed to accelerate the development of technology in the food industry.

«We need a fundamental transformation of the food system if we are to feed more than 9 billion people sustainably and nutritiously» said Alan Jope, Unilever CEO. «Malnutrition, obesity and food waste are issues that can only be addressed if we share ideas and skills».

Unilever’s Hive also has the highest certification for sustainable buildings: “BREEAM-NL Outstanding”.