Symrise has inaugurated its first global AI hub in Barcelona, Spain to develop advanced data-driven solutions that strengthen innovation across its core customer markets, including personal care.
Around 25 postgraduates have joined an intensive 12-month programme designed to combine structured learning with hands-on experience, laying the foundation for a sustainable in-house data & AI capability.
By focusing on six key business areas – finance, research & development, procurement, supply chain, consumer insights, and sustainability – the hub supports the delivery of high-quality, and sustainable products.
The hub leverages Symrise’s established technology platforms: the Atl@s Lakehouse built on Databricks for advanced analytics, UiPath for process automation, and Mendix for rapid application development.
This combination ensures fast prototyping and smooth scaling of solutions that enhance efficiency and responsiveness across the value chain.
“The hub will become an inhouse centre for innovation, collaboration, and transformation at Symrise,” said Symrise chief digital and information officer Eliza Millet.
“It will allow us to accelerate product development, strengthen strategic business planning and boost operational efficiency.”
Chief transformation officer Nick Russel added: “Digitalization goes beyond advancing projects – it opens new ways to approach challenges creatively and deliver value to our customers.”
Symrise selected Barcelona for its outstanding talent pool, strong academic institutions, and vibrant technology ecosystem.
“The hub provides an inspiring environment where teams design ideas, build prototypes, and transform them into scalable solutions that deliver measurable benefits for customers in highly competitive markets,” it added.
“It serves as a blueprint for future hubs worldwide and reinforces the company’s commitment to digital transformation as a driver of growth and innovation for its customers.”
