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CSM Ingredients Group has opened a new £3 million product development centre in Cheshire, expanding its UK footprint with a facility designed to support customer-led innovation across the bakery and wider food industry.

The site, which is now fully operational, includes a next-generation test bakery, a customer experience centre and the company’s new UK head office.

The two-tier facility integrates office space with a development hub equipped with advanced processing technology and a temperature-controlled bakery for running trials and supporting new product development.

Gabriele Del Torchio, CEO of parent company Nexture, said the investment reflects the strategic importance of the UK and Ireland. “Our investment in the UK and Ireland clearly signifies the importance of the area not only for CSM Ingredients, but for the entire Nexture platform,” Del Torchio said.

“This new facility in Cheshire embodies our collective ambition to bring together craftmanship, innovation and partnerships to deliver meaningful progress for our customers and the industry at large.”

The site also includes a mock production area for line trials, training and presentation spaces and a dedicated allergen-free zone designed to meet increasing demand for specialist solutions.

Christian Sobolta, CEO of CSM Ingredients, added: “This new site represents far more than a facility: it embodies our vision for the future of food. The modern equipment, the customer-focused test production environment and the sustainable design of the workspaces will enable us to accelerate product development and customer proximity across several food segments, allowing us to work even closer with our partners to shape the next generation of food experiences.”

Sustainability features were built into the design, with solar panels expected to supply around 15% of the site’s energy. EV charging points have also been installed. According to the company’s 2024 Sustainability Report, 80% of the electricity used across the group last year came from renewable sources, up from 62% in 2023.

The new Cheshire centre is open to customers from this month.