“ESSENSOR is a hospitable company and hospitality is in our DNA. This hospitality applies not only to our customers, but also to our consumers, employees, students, suppliers and business partners.”

We help optimize products. Senses are our tools
ESSENSOR Sensory & Consumer Research is the specialist and market leader in sensory research in the Netherlands and also has a strong position in Europe.
We support large companies, multinationals and scale-ups in both the food and non-food sectors to take their products to the next level. The taste, smell, texture and other sensory properties are often the key to success. These determine whether customers choose your product time and time again. And isn’t that what it’s all about?
Do you also want to improve your product performance and strengthen the market position? Please contact us for a no-obligation consultation. We are happy to help you achieve your goals!
A team of 20 specialists
is ready to assist you
Our vision: Growing towards a society with healthy and sustainable consumer behavior through optimized product choices
Based on a refined vision, we support our customers in developing an optimized product range. So not only room for the original, but also for healthy and sustainable alternatives on store shelves. Guaranteeing availability, affordability and an attractive position in the store leads consumers in the right direction and helps the transition to a sustainable, fair and balanced diet.
How does ESSENSOR achieve this for you? By using smart sensory research methods that harness the power of human senses to gain valuable insights that winning and attractive products must meet to outperform the competition.
ESSENSOR strives for a society with healthy and sustainable consumer behavior by encouraging optimal product choices. With this vision, we support our customers in developing an optimized product offering. We have been active in the sensory market research domain in the Netherlands since 1987 and have since grown into an authority and market leader in the Netherlands with research centers in Utrecht, Wageningen and Vlaardingen. We use smart sensory research methods that harness the power of senses to provide valuable insights into what attractive products need to stay ahead of the competition.
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You are welcome
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Consumery insights first
“All our efforts are aimed at providing relevant consumer insights. These enable you to make sensible decisions in your business processes. For example, about product development, managing a category and marketing.”
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We share our knowledge
“All our efforts are aimed at providing relevant consumer insights. These enable you to make sensible decisions in your business processes. For example, about product development, managing a category and marketing.”
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Grip on quality
“Our procedures ensure the smooth execution of all research. Quality is our priority, and we are certified according to the latest ISO 20252:2019 standard. This standard sets requirements for both the design and implementation of projects and general quality assurance. As a Fair Data company, we also comply with the Fair Data Privacy Code and carry the Fair Data quality mark.”
The brands we do research for









The Sustainability Goals
from Essensor
Essensor has drawn up five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to actively contribute to a more sustainable world. These goals reflect our commitment to both social and environmental initiatives. By taking responsibility in both our processes and our daily work, we hope to make a positive impact.

Achieving the Zero Hunger goal is crucial for a sustainable future. In the Netherlands, approximately 450,000 people regularly experience hunger, while at the same time approximately a quarter of all food is wasted in the Netherlands. At Essensor we conduct many taste tests with foods, which makes food waste a high priority.
By carefully calculating the required amount of product in advance, we minimize the surplus of products after a taste test. Moreover, in collaboration with the Food Bank and in consultation with our customers, we ensure that products remaining after the tests are not lost.

Good health and well-being are an essential part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By working with our customers every day on projects aimed at reducing salt, fat and sugar in foods, as well as developing tasty 0% alcohol drinks, we strive to make healthy eating and drinking the easy choice for consumers . In this way we strengthen our vision: ‘GROWING TOWARDS A SOCIETY WITH HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE CONSUMER BEHAVIOR THROUGH OPTIMIZED PRODUCT CHOICES’. Together we can build a healthier future for everyone.

Gender equality is not only a basic human right; it is essential for a sustainable and prosperous world, as emphasized by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our core value “You’re welcome” embodies our commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, including our test participants, customers, suppliers, and staff. For our staff, we endorse and support an environment where every individual has equal opportunities, regardless of gender, age, identity, or background.

Sustainably generated energy is essential for a better future, but this resource is still scarce. At Essensor we are constantly looking for ways to reduce our ecological footprint and optimize our energy consumption. For example, we have made bicycles available to employees, so that they can travel sustainably and healthily. In addition, we offer consumers the opportunity to support charities with their compensation, and we give customers the opportunity to plant trees annually on behalf of Essensor.

Responsible consumption and production are crucial for a sustainable future. In addition to the origin of products, their consumption is just as important. In sensory research, products are often presented on promotional materials, where disposable plastic is frequently used because of its practical implementation. At Essensor we recognize the need to switch to reusable materials, such as glass or porcelain, and are committed to reducing the use of single-use plastic. We share the knowledge we gain with our network to support others who face similar challenges. In this way we give substance to our core value ‘Share knowledge’ and hope to inspire others to make the same responsible choices, so that we jointly contribute to a more sustainable world.
Essensor works according to the
standard for market research

Quality is our priority, which is why we are certified according to the ISO 20252:2019 standard, specifically for market research. This standard sets strict requirements for the design, implementation and quality assurance of all our studies—both qualitative, quantitative and observational. This provides our customers with the assurance that each project is carried out carefully and according to recognized guidelines, for reliable and accurate insights.