Cargill opens a new European Protein Innovation Hub

Cargill marks an exciting chapter in food innovation by launching its first European Protein Innovation Hub in Saint-Cyr en Val, France. This state-of-the-art hub is not just a response to growing customer demands but a testament to the magic of co-creation and speed-to-market strategies.

Nestled within Cargill's Saint-Cyr en Val plant near Orleans, which has been at the forefront of delivering chicken specialties to premier food service outlets for three decades, this new hub is more than just a facility. It’s a dream incubator where ideas evolve into protein-rich culinary masterpieces. With a contemporary test kitchen, a customer experience area, and an advanced pilot plant, innovators can test and tweak their next big protein concept.

Karel Zimmermann, the torchbearer of Cargill Protein Europe, captures the essence, “Imagine a place where the spectrum of protein unfolds before you, where ideas spark into tangible realities. This is where marketing insights collide with product concepts, where the vibrancy of innovation thrives.”

Stepping into the hub, the journey from conception to execution is streamlined. Customers can engage with renowned chefs from across Europe, experiencing firsthand the creation or recreation of sumptuous samples. And it doesn't end there. The Cargill team swiftly prototypes in small batches, enhancing speed and efficiency, leading to a market-ready product. What's more, a chic customer experience center, complete with a restaurant and chef demonstrations, elevates the co-development journey.

This innovation isn't just about products. It's about commitment. An impressive €50M is pumped into this venture, setting the stage for renovating a staggering 70% of the existing production facilities by 2025. As Cargill's investment blossoms, output capacity is projected to surge by 10%.

A 30-year legacy with the Saint-Cyr en Val plant has cemented Cargill’s position in the French poultry sector, fostered by partnerships with 200 poultry farms. This symbiotic relationship promises stability for farmers and ensures the plant remains a linchpin in the poultry industry. 

Cargill.com