What really makes CSM different is that we are a global player that operates locally. We speak the language of our customers and are familiar with the challenges and opportunities of each specific market, while simultaneously providing all the advantages a global corporation has to offer. CSM has the size and the resources to fully invest in innovation, to help local customers become more successful in their own markets or support global customers wherever we are needed.
Our Product Development Centers around the world give us a strong local and regional presence that allows us to understand the specifics of each market. All our products are supported by experienced teams who not only thoroughly understand their local markets, but also have ready access to our worldwide knowledge network. Remaining close to our customers, so that we can respond to their short term needs quickly with tailor-made solutions, is important to us. So too, is developing solutions and creating opportunities in partnership with our customers.
What we have learned locally is constantly added to our global capabilities, and vice versa. While innovation is primarily driven by customer needs on a local level, global innovation is about anticipating trends and insights. We have eight Bakery Supplies Innovation Centers across the globe, and PURAC has a centrally managed Innovation and Competence Center and three regional application laboratories in São Paulo, Chicago and Singapore. These centers form a global technical network with the ability to roll out new product technology internationally, while working closely together to create synergies and innovations that serve our customers' needs in the longer term.
Our centers allow us to come up with innovative solutions for challenges created by any number of factors, such as changing consumer demands and markets, technologies and regulations. In combination with a community of top notch marketers that have access to proven concepts and insights from all over the world, our innovation engine has the power to execute projects with a high success rate.
For example, we have a program focused on health and nutrition, with products that eliminate undesirable components and ingredient levels such as trans fats and salt, solutions with a reduced caloric density and more well-balanced, fiber rich bakery products. And, in line with the demand for environmentally friendly products, PURAC's natural food preservation products, green chemicals and bioplastics are sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions made from renewable resources.
Of course, bricks and mortar alone are not enough. Our people are a big part of our success. Our R&D and Marketing teams are made up of all types of nationalities, creating unique regional and global insights. We also believe in teamwork. We like to develop ideas and solutions together with our customers in an open and approachable two-way relationship aimed at identifying insights and hidden needs. We call our approach 'customer intimacy'. It enables us to stay ahead of the game and beat the challenges in an increasingly demanding market with the right solutions, delivered at the right time, the right place, and the right cost. That's why we have hundreds of people at each site ready and able to help you. After all, innovation is just an invention if we can't make it work for you.