Friesland Foods is a multinational company that develops, produces and sells natural, nutritional and high-quality dairy products, fruit-based drinks and ingredients. Health, convenience, reliability and vitality for consumers are key characteristics. Friesland Foods offers a wide range of products in over 100 countries. On a global scale, Friesland Foods has 16,400 employees. Revenue was 4.4 billion euros in 2005.

Boasting a history of over 125 years, the company has a cooperative background: dairy farmers own the company and are its suppliers of milk. Their dedication and commitment are the foundation of the quality of the products. An enterprising and reliable organisation, Friesland Foods continually seeks to increase its profitability by improving the quality and added value of products and reinforcing market positions.

Mission: To create value for our owners, the member farmers, in short and long term, by means of profitable international dairy (related) activities. To develop, produce and market a broad range of reliable, natural and nutritious dairy products that should contribute to well being and vitality of life.

The department of Packaging Development at Research and Development in Leeuwarden supports Friesland Foods' business units globally on matters of new package/product development and troubleshooting. The Leeuwarden team has years of experience in the field of flexible and rigid plastic packaging as well as metal cans and related packaging techniques. There is also considerable expertise in the field of package-content interactions and shelf life study. Typical projects range from short term, business and production-related assignments to long-term research projects aimed at process standardisation or exploration of new technologies (new materials or new packaging methods).