Yili, Asia's largest and fast-growing dairy company, is expanding at Wageningen Campus. The expansion represents an investment in R&D jobs and facilities. In 2014, Yili established itself in the Netherlands with its first R&D center outside of China, 2018 saw the formal opening of the new office and the name Yili Innovation Center Europe. Now the center is further expanding with a laboratory and pilot plant.
Since its arrival, Yili has firmly established itself in the Foodvalley ecosystem For example, in 2021, the company officially partnered with agrifoodtech accelerator StartLife. Last year, Yili acquired a majority stake in Ausnutria, which has offices in Heerenveen, Leeuwarden, Zwolle, Ommen and Kampen, among others, and an innovation hub in Wageningen, right next to the Yili office.
Connection to the Foodvalley Ecosystem
Oost NL, together with the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, supported Yili in choosing Wageningen in 2018. This included introductions to the network at local, provincial and national levels. The Wageningen location is focused on innovation, for example, Yili is working on improving baby food products, a growth market in China.
Dr. Gerrit Smit, Director Yili Innovation Center Europe, says, "Over the past few years we have been able to collaborate a lot with regional partners and work on healthy and safe dairy products. We want to continue to do that in the coming years. The Dutch dairy sector is well known in China, which opens doors and creates opportunities for new collaborations."
Jurgen Sonneborn, senior project manager Food: "Yili has proven to be a valuable addition to the Agro- and Foodtech ecosystem in the Eastern Netherlands and beyond. By entering into collaborations, the company has quickly made itself part of Foodvalley. We are pleased that Yili is expanding and thus investing in the region."
