An official opening of Cargill Innovation Center was held at Thailand Science Park (TSP) on 26 October 2022. In attendance to offer their congratulations were BIOTEC Executive Director Dr. Wonnop Visessanguan, TSP Deputy Director Dr. Sanat Wongthawethong and TSP Business and Innovation Cluster Development Director Ms. Chompoonuch Anusardsittikit.

Dr. Wonnop Visessanguan remarked that he is pleased to see a global food corporation like Cargill establish its innovation center at Thailand Science Park. This new center will help foster the partnership between Cargill and NSTDA by combining the company’s century-long experience in global food market with NSTDA’s technological expertise and extensive network to bring out innovative products for the benefit of consumers around the world. This innovation center will also support Thailand’s policy to promote food and agricultural sector, one of S-curve industries to drive the economic growth.

Cargill Protein Southeast Asia Managing Director Mr. Watcharapon Prasopkiatpoka said that Cargill places great emphasis on research and innovation. The establishment of this innovation center will drive the firm’s innovation capacity to better meet diverse needs of modern consumer. Thailand Science Park was chosen for its convenient access to top-notch scientists and talent. The facility consists of a Sensory & Kitchen Studio where consumer insights are analyzed, a Kitchen Lab where new products are developed to satisfy consumer demands, and a Pilot Line for pilot production of new products.

Cargill Meats Thailand Managing Director Mr. Thiti Tuangsithtanon stated that Cargill Meats Thailand is among Thailand’s top exporters of cooked chicken products to countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, the UK, Poland and Canada. The company established its protein business in Thailand 32 years ago with the first production facility in Saraburi and later expanded to Nakhon Ratchasima. It currently has two notable brands; Sun Valley ready-to-cook chicken brand and PlantEver plant-based brand. This innovation center will help the firm gain insights into modern consumer needs and create innovative products that best address those needs.

This is the fifth Cargill Innovation Center in Asia, following the ones in Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Gurugram, to support the company’s goal of being a food and agricultural product manufacturer that addresses consumer demands, delivers safe and sustainable product innovations, and adopts responsible production processes that ensure sustainability throughout the global food and agriculture supply chain.