In September, Coca-Cola Belgium celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Research & Development Center in Anderlecht. Prime Minister Bart De Wever spoke at an event for customers and partners. "Coca-Cola has been firmly established in our region for almost a century. And that presence has grown significantly over the years. We can be proud that one of Coca-Cola's largest research departments in the world has been based here for a quarter of a century. Our country has a strong reputation for innovation. The federal government cherishes that more than ever. We remain committed to growth and progress," said the Prime Minister.
The R&D center at Coca-Cola's headquarters in Anderlecht opened in 2000, exactly 25 years ago. Since then, thousands of new products, packaging, and processes have been developed—an average of about 300 per year. And that's for more than 120 countries and 2 billion consumers in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
"If you've ever drunk a new Coca-Cola beverage in our country, there's a very good chance that it was not only produced here at our sites in Antwerp, Ghent, or Chaudfontaine, but also developed here in Anderlecht. So we can be proud of the leading role we play from Belgium within a company like Coca-Cola," says Sarah Botterman, a Belgian who heads the R&D team in Brussels and has been working there since the very beginning.
To make all this possible, substantial investments have been made in the R&D Center in Brussels, amounting to no less than 30 million euros over the past 25 years. “In 2010, we expanded our center with our own ‘pilot plant’, a mini-production facility where we test whether new products are ready for large-scale production,” says Sarah Botterman. "Over the years, we have also added new laboratories. These include a new packaging lab and a barista lab for coffee innovation."
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Coca-Cola organized an event for customers and partners, which was also attended by Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
"Coca-Cola has been firmly anchored in our region for almost a century. And that presence has deepened considerably over the years. We can be proud that one of Coca-Cola's largest research departments in the world has been based here for a quarter of a century. Our country has a strong reputation for innovation. The federal government cherishes that more than ever. We remain committed to growth and progress."
De Wever also took part in a taste test and was able to recognize three of the six drinks.
"An important task for the Brussels R&D Center over the years has been to develop drinks with less sugar and to develop smart packaging solutions that help reduce packaging waste and emissions," says Sarah Botterman. "When we come up with new ideas, everything starts and ends with our consumers: what do they like? What do they find important in a beverage or packaging? How are tastes and preferences evolving? Together with our partners, we research, test, and experiment until we arrive at the right ideas and products."
About Coca-Cola in Belgium
Coca-Cola has been producing in Belgium for almost 100 years and it’s fair to say that these small countries are an important market for Coca-Cola.
Our socio-economic impact (based on 2022 data):
- 2,200 people employed by the TCCS directly, 14,700 employment opportunities supported indirectly in the value chain
- 400 million EUR worth of goods and services purchased from BE suppliers
- 1.8 billion EUR Value-added supported in the economy across the value chain
- 975 million EUR supported in tax payments across the value chain
- 3 production sites (2 in Flanders: Ghent and Antwerp, 1 in Wallonia: Chaudfontaine), 2 distribution sites, 1 HQ with R&D centre (Anderlecht)
Coca-Cola consists of two companies in Belgium and Luxembourg. Coca-Cola Services is part of The Coca-Cola Company group. The Coca-Cola Company and its subsidiaries own the brands. They are responsible for consumer marketing and the basic concentrate for the beverages sold to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in Belgium and Luxembourg, subsidiaries of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc (CCEP). CCEP in Belgium and Luxembourg produces, distributes, and/or sells Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Chaudfontaine, Fuze Tea, Minute Maid, Aquarius, Powerade, Appletiser, Hawai, Tropico, Royal Bliss, Costa Coffee, Rosport*, Rosport Pom’s*, Monster*, and Nalu*. Together, these brands account for more than 11 million servings per day in Belgium. Coca-Cola is constantly working to optimize its portfolio: from reducing sugar in its beverages to introducing new innovative products. In addition, Coca-Cola Services and CCEP are working to reduce their impact on the environment by returning water to nature and promoting recycling.
(*) brands that do not belong to The Coca-Cola Company group.
Coca-Cola Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Brussels R&D Center with Visit from Prime Minister