IFF opens food flavours facility in India

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has opened a new flavours production facility in New Delhi, India, as part of its plan to strengthen its presence in emerging markets.

The new facility, located in Gurgaon, will develop flavours for companies that produce prepared foods, sweets, beverages and dairy products for the Indian market.

Spanning an area of 20,000ft², the facility will house creative, technical, sensory and sales professionals.

IFF chairman and CEO Doug Tough said the company’s increased presence in India is in line with its plan to create infrastructure to serve emerging markets, especially in those with the highest growth rates and demographics.

IFF flavours group president Hernan Vaisman said the company is committed to customers in India and has R&D capabilities and in-house talent to develop the best tastes for the region.

"Like a lot of working families and busy individuals around the world, India’s consumers are not only looking for great, authentic taste and convenience, they are also looking for healthier options in the foods they eat," Vaisman said.

The company is present in India through its wholly-owned subsidiary International Flavours & Fragrances India, which accounts for 3% of its overall revenue, which totalled nearly $3bn in 2011. The company has two existing manufacturing plants in Chennai, one in Jammu and one in Kashmir.

According to IFF India managing director Sridhar Balakrishnan the company’s sales in India witnessed a growth of 16% year-over-year in the past five years.

The flavours market in India is valued at Rs12bn ($21.43m) annually, increasing at a rate of 12% year on year.

This investment comes after the company announced the opening of a new creative centre in Shanghai, China, an upgrade to the creative centre in Mumbai, India, and the groundbreaking of two new manufacturing plants in China and Singapore.