DOWNERS GROVE, ILL. — Univar Solutions Inc., a specialty chemical and ingredient distributor, has opened a new Food Solution Center and Innovation Hub at The Hatchery Chicago facility.

A non-profit food business incubator, The Hatchery Chicago offers commercial kitchen, co-working and storage space, mentorship, courses and events to empower food and beverage entrepreneurs and create local job opportunities. Univar Solutions is a provider of value-added services, including culinary science and application development support. The new site is part of Univar Solutions’ network of centers of excellence and its first dedicated Food Solution Center in North America.

“At Univar Solutions, what we do is rooted in our purpose to help keep our communities healthy, fed, clean and safe,” said Kevin Hack, vice president of global food ingredients at Univar Solutions. “Launching a new Food Solution Center and sponsoring The Hatchery Chicago demonstrates our commitment to support local communities at the growing epicenter of food ingredient innovation. As collaboration and innovation are at the heart of our Solution Centers, we are thrilled to be a part of the entrepreneurial and creative collaboration happening within this exciting development hub, to help our suppliers and customers find their next sustainable food innovation.”

Univar Solutions said it will collaborate with its customers, suppliers and the local food and beverage community to develop formulations and solve technical challenges.

“Our food scientists and technical specialists look forward to bringing better products to market at Univar Solutions’ first dedicated Food Solution Center in North America,” said Andrew Mint, PhD, director, Global Solution Centers. “Having both culinary chefs and culinary development scientists collaborating under one roof will help take customer projects to the next level, driving technical excellence within the North America food industry and globally as we deliver innovative solutions together.”