Istanbul Opens Innovation Hub for Food and Health Industries

A new innovation hub in Istanbul is making it easier for food and health companies to turn great ideas into products people can buy.

IMCD Group opened its Technical Centre in Istanbul's Ataşehir district this week, combining several smaller labs into one integrated facility. The center focuses on helping manufacturers develop and test new products in food, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, beauty, and personal care.

For the food industry specifically, the new lab supports companies making dairy products, baked goods, beverages, confectionery, meat, and savory foods. Scientists at the facility help brands improve taste, texture, and nutritional value while speeding up the journey from concept to store shelf.

The center also includes Turkey's first dedicated pharmaceutical development laboratory, which will serve not just local companies but also businesses across the Middle East, North Africa, Kenya, and South Africa. Researchers there work on everything from tablets to liquids, following international quality standards to ensure safe, effective medicines.

Managing Director Aylin Zakuto says the center will function as a "chemical technology hub" where customers can test ingredients, develop formulations, and attend training sessions. The goal is to help companies tap into market opportunities faster by combining global expertise with local knowledge.

The Ripple Effect

This investment reflects something bigger happening in the specialty ingredients sector. As consumer demands evolve and regions seek more localized innovation support, companies are building technical centers closer to where products are actually made and sold.

IMCD now operates more than 80 technical centers and laboratories worldwide across 60 countries. The company reported revenues of €4.8 billion in 2025 and employs over 5,200 people globally, all focused on helping businesses innovate faster and more effectively.

The Istanbul facility also houses dedicated spaces for skincare and haircare development, plus testing capabilities for industrial applications like paints and coatings. By bringing diverse expertise together in one location, the center makes collaboration easier and cuts down on the time needed to solve complex formulation challenges.

For Turkey's growing food and pharmaceutical sectors, having world-class technical support right in Istanbul means more opportunities to compete globally while serving local markets better.