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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.

2023

2023

Launch of the SMAAKEXPEDITIE – an adventurous training on the way to professional tasting.

2022

2022

Acquisition Center for Taste Research (CSO).

2022

Launch of smaakonderzoek.nl – a spin-off of ESSENSOR – focus on supermarkets and catering wholesalers.

2022

Winner MOA Award Marketing Research & Analytics agency of the year 2022.

2021

2022

Official partnership with the Food Innovation Academy (FIA).

2020

2021

Official collaboration with Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (part of WUR).

2019

2018

ESSENSOR acquires  OP&P Product Research and becomes market leader in the Netherlands.

2011

2011

Sensory Prof Group becomes part of the MOA – Expertise Center for Marketing Insights, Research and Analytics.

2011

European Sensory Science Society (E3S) founded in Florence in the presence of Pieter Punter and Wim Vaessen.

 

2006

2002

1st Sensory syposium in the Netherlands organized by the Sensory Prof Group.

2002

1994

1st edition of the sensory reference work ‘Tastes of success’ by the Sensory Prof Group under the chairmanship of Wim Vaessen.

1995

1994

Start ESSENSOR by Wim Vaessen.

1994

1994

Founding of the Sensory Professional Group by Pieter Punter.

1987

1987

Start OP&P Product Research by Pieter Punter and Aimee Oliemans.

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.

2 Zero hunger

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.

3 Good health and well-being

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.

 

5 Gender equality

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.

7 Affordable and clean energy

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.

12 Responsible consumption and production

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.