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Unilever’s Foods Innovation Centre

Hello, we’re Hive.

Do you like to shake things up in the kitchen? How about the world? Welcome to Hive. Hive is Unilever’s global Foods Innovation Centre and we live at the Wageningen Campus in the Netherlands, the Silicon Valley of Food. At Foods, we bring the taste everyone loves, to brighten every day.

Hive in a nutshell

Hive is Unilever’s global Foods Innovation Centre

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We’d love to meet you!

Don’t be a stranger. Meet our team of food experts, let us answer your questions and why not plan a visit here?

We're open

Hive is buzzing from Monday to Friday. We’re free bees on weekends and public holidays.

Address: Bronland 14, 6708 WH Wageningen, The Netherlands

How to get here

Hive lives in the Wageningen Campus in the Netherlands. You’ll find our main entrance opposite the north side of the University’s Campus Park.

  • By bus:

    Hop on the bus from Ede to the Wageningen Campus. We’re around a five-minute walk from the Bornesteeg or the Campus / Forum stop. You can plan your trip via www.ns.nl.
  • By car or bike:

    Hive is a stone’s throw away from the A12 highway. Plus we’ve plenty of parking tucked beneath the building. Just contact us to book yourself a spot before you visit. Or feel free to find yourself a space to park your bike to the side of the main entrance.
  • By plane:

    Many of our visitors and co-creators come from overseas. The nearest airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands. Hive is 90 km away, or just over an hour’s drive or train ride.

  • 500 innovators At Hive, around 500 employees work on the foods of tomorrow.

  • Innovation We’re innovating some of the world’s best loved food brands like Knorr, Hellmann’s and Unilever Food Solutions.

  • 190 countries Already we’re serving consumers and customers across 190 countries - and growing.

  • 18,000m2 Our spaces are as open as we are. We’ve 18,000m2 of collaboration spaces, a pilot plant, laboratories and kitchens and the ground floor is available for everyone to use.

  • 1,700 solar panels Hive is energy neutral, built from heaps of recycled parts and powered by over 1,700 solar panels.

  • 3 BREEAM awards That’s why Hive has won 3 global BREEAM awards as one of the world’s most sustainable buildings.

Micro-organisms living on a hand

Let’s co-create!

At Unilever we love to collaborate. Do you have a new design or technology that is relevant to our Foods business. Can you help us solve the challenges we’ve set? We’d like to work with you.

Unilever Research prize and cheque.

Unilever Research Prizes

The Unilever Research Prize is an annual event celebrating scientific excellence by awarding outstanding Master’s students from Dutch universities. This prestigious honour has recognised research that contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing Unilever’s commitment to innovation and its strong ties with the Dutch academic community. The prize not only rewards breakthroughs in science and technology but also fosters collaboration at a time when global challenges demand bold solutions.

Find out more about the Research Prizes

Got a question?

Your most burning questions about Hive answered here.

  • What is Unilever cooking up at Hive?

    Hive is home to the product innovations of some of the world’s favourite food brands like Knorr and Hellmann’s, as well as locally loved brands like Bango.

    That’s not forgetting our mission to develop sustainable packaging, use data to keep the natural resources behind our products live and kicking, and build the science and technology behind the foods of the future.

    Check out our LinkedIn page to see what's buzzing at Hive
  • How can I get involved with Hive?

    At Unilever we love to collaborate. Innovate with us here

  • Is Hive really open to everyone?

    Yes, our ground floor is open to anyone who would like to experience our food, check out what’s brewing in our pilot plant, or simply pull up a chair in one of our open spaces to get to work alongside us.
  • How can I apply for a job at Hive?

    At Hive, we’re constantly on the lookout for the next generation of food innovators, and offer openings at many experience levels, from world expert to budding learner. If you think you cut the mustard, we’d love to hear from you. Apply to join us at Hive.
  • Do you also offer short-term opportunities and internships?

    Absolutely. Whether you’re looking for a six-month internship or a mini project to sink your teeth into, students are very welcome at Hive. You can discover new opportunities and submit your application to us.
  • Why join Hive?

    We’re on a mission to make food that tastes good, feels good and is a force for good. Becoming a part of Hive gives you access to trailblazing experts, the worlds’ leading foods ecosystem and the scale of Unilever to bring your ideas to life.
  • Is my idea safe if I share it with Hive?

    We’re all about letting the best ideas flourish. Of course, this often means that we have to protect ideas before they enter the market. Luckily, we’re experienced in offering service level agreements, and will always take the need for confidentiality seriously.
  • I have a disability. Can you accommodate my needs?

    Everyone is welcome at Hive and we are open to exploring working arrangements that suit your needs. On a practical side, our building is easily accessible for disabled people.
  • I suffer from food allergies. Can you tell me which foods I can eat?

    Our friendly chefs in the food court will be happy to explain exactly what’s in our food and advise on any allergen-containing products for you to avoid.
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