Symrise has opened its first global Artificial Intelligence hub in Barcelona with the aim of developing advanced data-based solutions that reinforce innovation in its main client markets, including cosmetics. Approximately 25 university graduates have joined an intensive 12-month program designed to combine structured learning with practical experience, in order to lay the foundations for a sustainable internal capacity in data and AI.
The hub will focus on six key business areas: finance, research and development, purchasing, supply chain, consumer insights and sustainability.
Symrise will use its existing technology platforms: Atl@s Lakehouse (on Databricks) for advanced analytics, UiPath for process automation, and Mendix for rapid application development. This combination allows to quickly prototype and scale solutions that improve efficiency and responsiveness throughout the value chain.
According to Eliza Millet, Chief Digital and Information Officer of Symrise, the hub will become an internal center for innovation, collaboration and transformation, allowing to accelerate product development, improve strategic business planning and increase operational efficiency. Nick Russel, Chief Transformation Officer, added that digitization not only drives projects, but also opens up new ways to creatively address challenges and deliver real value to customers.
The choice of Barcelona is due to its outstanding talent pool, strong academic institutions and a vibrant technological ecosystem. The hub will offer an inspiring environment where teams can design ideas, build prototypes and transform them into scalable solutions that bring measurable benefits to customers in highly competitive markets.
Finally, it is noted that this initiative will also serve as a model for future hubs in other parts of the world, reinforcing Symrise's commitment to digital transformation as an engine of growth and innovation for its customers.