Nourish Ingredients has opened a new global commercial hub in Leiden, the Netherlands, strengthening its presence in Europe’s thriving food innovation ecosystem. The expansion aims to support the company’s push into international markets, deepen ties with food manufacturers and partners, and access the European Union’s strong backing for sustainable food development.
Expanding innovation in sustainable fats
The new site is located at BioPartner 5, a state-of-the-art energy-neutral facility designed to meet the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. The building will house product development, innovation spaces, and customer demonstration areas, including a modern kitchen for testing how Nourish Ingredients’ animal-free fats can enhance dairy and meat alternatives. The move will also see Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Anna El Tahchy relocate to lead European operations.
Founded as a deep tech company, Nourish Ingredients focuses on specialty fats created through precision fermentation. These ingredients are designed to improve the taste and texture of plant-based and hybrid foods, making them creamier and more appealing to consumers. The company believes its work will help drive adoption of sustainable alternatives by replicating the qualities of animal-based fats without livestock production.
Positioning for European collaboration
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer James Petrie said the decision to expand into Europe was strategic. “Setting up a hub in Europe represents an enormous opportunity for Nourish Ingredients as we scale our animal-free fats globally,” he said. “The region is home to the world’s largest food manufacturers and provides unparalleled support for sustainable food innovation. Establishing our commercial hub in the Netherlands allows us to work directly with European customers and partners, tapping into local networks that will accelerate our growth.”
Europe’s position as a leader in sustainable food technology was a key factor in the move. The region offers extensive grant programmes and funding designed to back companies creating next-generation ingredients. By situating itself at the heart of this ecosystem, Nourish Ingredients expects to accelerate both product development and market entry.
Anna El Tahchy highlighted the region’s appeal, noting its scientific expertise and access to top-tier commercial talent. “Europe offers an ideal environment for the next stage of our growth, with a highly supportive ecosystem and some of the world’s leading food companies based here,” she said. “Combined with a deep pool of scientific and commercial talent and its reputation as a hub for food innovation, Europe is the natural next step in our global journey. We’re looking forward to building our team here and working closely with local partners.”
Collaborative opportunities and future plans
The company’s new location places it alongside other food technology innovators, including Vivici, a producer of animal-free dairy proteins supported by DSM-Firmenich and Fonterra. Stephan van Sint Fiet, Chief Executive Officer of Vivici, welcomed the arrival of Nourish Ingredients, describing the proximity as a way to foster knowledge exchange and potential collaborations.
BioPartner 5 representatives also praised the expansion. Thijs De Kleer, Director of BioPartner at the Leiden Bio Science Park, said, “Their innovative approach to sustainable food ingredients perfectly complements our mission to foster breakthrough biotechnology companies. The shared use of advanced biotech processes like fermentation shows how life sciences and food innovation reinforce one another.”
Nourish Ingredients plans to have the facility fully operational by 2026, with a formal opening and customer showcase event once the site is ready. The company expects the European hub to serve as a platform for forging additional partnerships with leading global food manufacturers and scaling its sustainable fats technology worldwide.
