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Zaan Food Makers officially launched
Sixteen industrial food companies and their nine international R&D centers in the Zaan region are joining forces to strengthen innovation, sustainability, talent development, and international competitiveness. Zaan Food Makers connects manufacturers, technical service providers, packaging companies, logistics partners, and knowledge institutions within one regional ecosystem. The cluster focuses on three themes: less fossil, working & learning, and space for innovation and growth.
Zaan Food Makers includes AAK, Ahold Delhaize Coffee Company, Bunge, Cargill, Exter, Forbo, Hansel, IFF, JS Cocoa, Norit, OFI, Pieter Bon, Tate & Lyle, Verkade, Van Wijngaarden, and Zaanlandse Olieraffinaderij ZOR.
The partnership with the Municipality of Zaanstad was highlighted by the presence of Councillor Stéphanie Onclin at the launch event: “By uniting our food industry, we strengthen our region as a place where innovation and development take center stage. This is where we shape the future together.”
Representing the partnership, chair Daan Reitsma added:
“With Zaan Food Makers, we take a collective step forward as an industry. By combining our knowledge, innovative capacity, and commitment, we can advance sustainability, attract talent, and strengthen our international position. We do this not only for our companies, but for the entire Zaan region. Together, we are building a future-ready food industry that creates value for the region and the world.”
The Zaan region plays a strategic role in European and global food supply chains and has a long history of high-quality food production. With thousands of jobs and a strong industrial base, the sector is one of the region’s economic pillars. With the launch of Zaan Food Makers, companies are jointly investing in sustainable energy, faster innovation, skills development, and a stronger regional infrastructure — contributing to a future-ready and internationally competitive food industry.