Normec Sensory Opens New Sensory Testing Center in Liège

14 August 2026

LIÈGE – Normec Sensory is further expanding its presence in Belgium with the opening of a new sensory testing center in Liège. With this expansion, Normec Sensory now has its own testing infrastructure in both Flanders and Wallonia. This allows organizations to rely on in-depth consumer insights from across Belgium, supported by local expertise and a broad network of respondents.

For many years, Normec Sensory has been helping retailers, premium brand manufacturers, and private label producers make informed product decisions. Whereas research in Wallonia was previously conducted in collaboration with partners, these activities are now carried out entirely in-house from the new location in Liège.

Employees are discussing matters at a service desk in a modern office environment.

Insights from Across Belgium

Belgium exhibits clear regional differences in taste preferences, purchasing behavior, and consumer expectations. By opening its own testing center in Wallonia in addition to its existing operations in Flanders, Normec Sensory can better support clients in gathering representative insights for the entire Belgian market.

The new testing center offers space for a wide range of consumer research, ranging from taste tests and concept validations to product comparisons and packaging research. Studies can be conducted in French, Dutch, and English, depending on the target audience and research objectives.

Data-Driven Decisions in Product Development

Consumer research plays an increasingly important role in product development and optimization. Changing regulations, sustainability goals, and evolving consumer expectations mean that manufacturers must regularly adapt or innovate their products.

Through sensory research, Normec Sensory helps organizations answer questions such as:

How does my product perform compared to competing products?
Will a formulation change—such as reducing sugar or salt—be appreciated by consumers?
What impact does switching to alternative ingredients have?
How is a new concept or innovation received in the market?
Which packaging option best suits the target audience?
Do consumers support the claims communicated on the packaging?

By actively involving consumers in the development process, risks can be minimized and informed decisions can be made before products are launched on the market.

Do consumers appreciate a formulation change, such as reducing sugar or salt?

From food to pet food and personal care

In addition to food research, Normec Sensory also conducts studies in other product categories, such as personal care products, household products, and pet food. Depending on the research question, both central location tests and home-use tests can be employed.

This broad expertise enables organizations to combine consumer insights with product development, quality improvement, and market launches.

Closer to Belgian Consumers

With the opening of the testing center in Liège, Normec Sensory is strengthening its position as a research and knowledge partner for the Belgian market. By directly involving consumers from both Flanders and Wallonia in research, organizations gain access to reliable insights that help drive successful product decisions.

More information about the possibilities of sensory research and consumer studies can be found on the Normec Sensory website.

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