From heritage to high-tech: Alfa Laval inaugurates Flemingsberg Innovation Center for next-generation separation and other leading technologies

On 25 November 2025, Alfa Laval officially inaugurated its new Innovation Center in Flemingsberg with a dedicated event for customers and partners, showcasing recent innovations and its capabilities that will bring separation technologies to the next level.  This major investment reinforces Alfa Laval’s commitment to Sweden and the Stockholm region, establishing Flemingsberg as the global hub for separator development across marine, energy, food, and pharma industries.

Alfa Laval’s story began in Stockholm, Sweden, with the invention of the first continuous dairy separator in the 1880s - a breakthrough that helped dairies scale production and reduce waste. Of the first 54 units sold, 37 were delivered abroad, laying the foundation for a global company. 

“The dairy separator was more than a product; it was a revolution. It enabled dairies to scale up, turn waste into value and do so with remarkably low use of energy, and that principle still drives us today as we help industries transition to a more resourceful world,” says Peter Nielsen, President of the Business Unit High Speed Separators.

The world urgently needs solutions for a future beyond fossil fuels, food systems that deliver new and sustainable options while reducing waste, and medicines that support a growing and aging population to improve quality of life. Separation technologies play a key role in this process and Alfa Laval’s 140 years of expertise are now focused on advanced research and next-generation solutions for high-speed separation that will help customers meet the challenges

During the inauguration event of the newly built Flemingsberg Innovation Center, guests were guided through the new labs, demonstrating recent innovations within marine and biopharma.  “Innovation requires more than ideas - it demands the right people, the right expertise, and the right facilities,” says Peter Nielsen. “We are investing in innovation, and this hub will enable us to bring new innovations to the market and the next technology leaps enabled by intelligent separation”.

Tom Erixon, Alfa Laval’s CEO and President was joined by Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz to officially inaugurate the Innovation Center. 

The entire facility spans approximately 20,000 square metres, with 8,000 square metres dedicated to advanced laboratory space, focusing on the science behind separation. In addition, the innovation center will also feature a 700 m² test and development area for Alfa Laval’s leading ballast water management technology. Developed with Wallenius Water, this initiative highlights Sweden’s leadership in environmental innovation.

“We are very pleased to have established our new premises in Flemingsberg. This expansion represents a significant improvement for our employees, our operations, and our customers and is now Alfa Laval’s hub for all development of separators within the marine, energy, food, and pharma sectors. Our ambition is to make Flemingsberg our Pharma Innovation Center for all our products and solutions within Alfa Laval,” adds Peter Nielsen.

Tom Erixon, Alfa Laval CEO and President during the inauguration

Inauguration ceremony of Flemingsberg Innovation Center

Tom Erixon and Jessica Rosencrantz, Sweden's Minister of EU Affairs

Guided tour of the new laboratories, where the latest innovations in marine and biopharma were demonstrated.