GNT opens first dedicated office for plant-based EXBERRY® colors in China
The new facility includes an application laboratory designed for concept innovation, formulation support, stability testing, and customer training workshops, enabling closer collaboration and faster, locally tailored solutions for product development.
CHINA – GNT Group has announced the opening of its first dedicated office in China, focused on its plant‑based EXBERRY® color portfolio, as part of a broader push to meet rising demand for natural food coloring solutions in the Chinese market.
The new sales and application office is based in Shanghai and will serve as a regional hub to support food and beverage manufacturers seeking cleaner‑label, plant‑based colors derived from non‑GMO fruits, vegetables, and plants.
The Shanghai office includes an application laboratory that will allow Chinese manufacturers to test, develop, and optimize EXBERRY® color solutions directly with GNT’s technical team.
Through formulation support, concept innovation, and stability testing, the lab aims to help local brands replace synthetic dyes with naturally sourced shades that appear on ingredient lists as recognizable items such as “carrot coloring ingredient,” in line with China’s recently introduced industry standard for Coloring Foods.
The standard, “Coloring Food Ingredients for the Food Industry (QB/T 6500 – 2400),” came into force nationwide on May 1, 2025, and was developed by the China National Food Industry Association (CNFIA) and China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) alongside GNT and other relevant stakeholders.
The application laboratory will enable GNT to offer Chinese customers faster, highly tailored application support, providing a space for customer training sessions and workshops, as well as services such as concept innovation, formulation support, and stability testing.
According to Andreas Thiede, General Manager APAC at GNT Group, having a local team allows for quicker decision-making and closer collaboration with clients.
“Together, this office and application lab demonstrate our commitment and long-term strategic growth ambition in China,” he stated.
“China is a dynamic market, with strong momentum behind natural and clean-label food and beverage products.”
EXBERRY® colors are available in a complete spectrum of shades created from non-GMO fruits, vegetables, and plants, suitable for almost any application, including confectionery, dairy, bakery, soft and alcoholic beverages, cereals, snacks, sauces, savory, and plant-based meat, seafood, and dairy products.
Victor Foo, Head of Sales for China at GNT Group, said the new office will enable faster, more tailored collaboration with Chinese manufacturers while strengthening GNT’s long‑term presence in the region.
As consumers become more health-conscious, the demand for clean-label products is expected to rise, making plant-based colors a vital component of product development.
By establishing a local base, GNT aims to accelerate innovation and help Chinese food and beverage brands launch more “natural” product lines across domestic and export markets.
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