Barentz opens Shanghai application lab
The new Shanghai facility will provide formulation development, technical services and pilot testing while connecting Chinese customers to Barentz’s global nutrition network.
CHINA – Barentz has opened a new Shanghai office and Human Nutrition application laboratory as the specialty ingredients provider expands technical and formulation support for food and beverage manufacturers in China and across the Asia Pacific region.
The facility will initially focus on bakery and savoury applications, offering application development, formulation support, laboratory services and technical assistance to customers and strategic principal partners. Its UHT pilot plant will allow customers to test, validate and optimise product concepts before commercial production.
Barentz said the investment responds to growing demand for technical expertise alongside ingredient supply. The Shanghai laboratory will draw on the company’s experience in modified starches and stabiliser systems while connecting Chinese customers with its wider APAC and global Human Nutrition technical network.
Sue Song, Vice President Human Nutrition APAC at Barentz, said the new facility demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to China.
“Customers increasingly expect more than ingredients alone,” Song said. “They need technical expertise, formulation support and faster innovation. This new facility enables us to work more closely with customers and principals to help accelerate their growth and bring innovative solutions to market.”
The Shanghai laboratory forms part of Barentz’s global Human Nutrition technical network, which includes 22 dedicated application laboratories and more than 40 application specialists supporting areas including bakery, beverages, health and nutrition, savoury, dairy, meat and fish, plant protein and other food categories.
The new centre is designed to combine local market knowledge with Barentz’s global application expertise, supporting product development and innovation projects in China and the wider APAC region.
The Shanghai opening follows continued expansion of Barentz’s Human Nutrition business across Asia Pacific. In January 2026, the company appointed Song to lead the strategic direction of its Human Nutrition operations across the region.
Barentz has also expanded its operations in Australia and New Zealand, completing the integration of Additive Solutions into its regional business in June.
The company said the new Shanghai facility will strengthen collaboration between customers, technical specialists and principal partners while supporting faster product development and formulation work.
Barentz operates in more than 70 countries and provides specialty ingredient solutions across Human Nutrition, pharmaceuticals, personal care, performance materials and animal nutrition. Its China operations include support for food, beverage, confectionery, health and nutrition customers.
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