News

Firmenich partners on AI to support innovation

9 Aug 2018

Firmenich has announced the inauguration of its Digital Lab – D-Lab – in partnership with the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), an institution for science and technology.

Firmenich partners on AI to support innovation

Firmenich has announced the inauguration of its Digital Lab – D-Lab – in partnership with the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), an institution for science and technology. Said to be a key milestone of Firmenich’s digital strategy, D-Lab is dedicated to harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to augment the group’s innovation across fragrance and taste creation. Expanding Firmenich’s footprint to the EPFL Innovation Park, the digital hub brings together Firmenich creators and experts with key members of the Campus’s ecosystem.

“Ever since our creation as a start-up 123 years ago, pushing the boundaries of science and technology has always been our engine of growth,” said Gilbert Ghostine, CEO Firmenich. “Fueled by EPFL’s unique innovation ecosystem, D-Lab puts Firmenich at the forefront of A.I., to augment our creativity for even greater speed and personalized solutions.”

“While digitalization is disrupting business models across every industry, it is also generating exciting new business opportunities,” said Martin Vetterli, President of EPFL. “By combining the dynamic start-up ecosystem based at the EPFL, with Firmenich’s industry-leading innovation, together we will be able to apply breakthrough science to create bespoke sensorial experiences faster than ever before.”

“D-Lab is all about converging human creativity with digital technologies to augment our creation capabilities,” explained Eric Saracchi, CIO, Firmenich. “It’s exciting to be stepping into unchartered territory with our creators to accelerate our industry’s next technology frontier.”

EPFL is one of Firmenich’s most long-standing academic partners, where the group recently created the Firmenich Chair in Neurosciences.

Related news

Retail landscape lacks nutritious and affordable food, says ATNi

Retail landscape lacks nutritious and affordable food, says ATNi

30 Dec 2025

A rapid increase in modern food retail has given retailers growing influence over consumer diets, according to global non-profit ATNi’s latest assessment.

Read more 
Debate over ban on ‘meaty’ names for plant-based products reaches stalemate

Debate over ban on ‘meaty’ names for plant-based products reaches stalemate

26 Dec 2025

The debate over a ban on plant-based products using “meaty” terms has reached a stalemate, leaving manufacturers in limbo and still facing overhauls to their marketing and packaging.

Read more 
Multi-sensory food and drink products to gain traction in 2026

Multi-sensory food and drink products to gain traction in 2026

16 Dec 2025

Trend forecasters predict that sensory elements will play a larger role, helping food and beverage brands differentiate themselves in a competitive market in 2026.

Read more 
Big appetite for M&A between European and US food and drink companies

Big appetite for M&A between European and US food and drink companies

3 Dec 2025

Persistent tariffs on EU food and beverage exports have helped drive record levels of M&A activity between European and US companies this year, according to analysis by ING.

Read more 
Non-UPF Program extends certification scheme to entire food industry

Non-UPF Program extends certification scheme to entire food industry

30 Nov 2025

The Non-UPF Program has extended its certification scheme to the wider food sector, championing a move towards healthier consumption habits.

Read more 
Lancet study links UPFs to chronic disease risk

Lancet study links UPFs to chronic disease risk

26 Nov 2025

UPFs are consistently associated with an increased risk of diet-related chronic diseases, according to a comprehensive review of global evidence in The Lancet .

Read more 
Concerns swirl around cinnamon’s compliance with EU law

Concerns swirl around cinnamon’s compliance with EU law

25 Nov 2025

Cinnamon may be a top functional ingredient, but it needs stronger protocols to ensure it meets EU food safety laws and quality standards, say researchers.

Read more 
Oat Barista: Innovation  for game-changing beverages

Oat Barista: Innovation for game-changing beverages

20 Nov 2025

Oat Barista is a clean label, sustainable, and innovative drink base specifically designed to create the perfect foam in one single ingredient.

Read more 
How younger consumers are redefining ingredient choices and rejecting brand loyalty

How younger consumers are redefining ingredient choices and rejecting brand loyalty

18 Nov 2025

Gen Z and millennial consumers’ preferences for transparency, functionality, and purpose are “redefining the very nature of consumption itself”, says SPINS.

Read more 
Hybrid formats and flexible positioning to disrupt category norms in 2026

Hybrid formats and flexible positioning to disrupt category norms in 2026

17 Nov 2025

Trend forecasters expect food and drink to move more fluidly across occasions, functions, and formats as consumers seek versatility, novelty, and convenience.

Read more