Nestlé has opened an infant nutrition research and development centre at its facility in Limerick, Ireland, following an investment of €27 million.
The site, which will focus on scientific research to support innovations in the development of milk-based maternal and infant nutrition products for the global market, represents Nestlé’s first research and development centre in Ireland.
The centre will concentrate on developing science-based products for mothers and infants. It incorporates laboratory facilities as well as a full pilot-scale manufacturing line to facilitate the development and testing of new products from initial concept through to product deployment.
Over 40 research staff are employed at the facility, which is co-located with Nestlé’s Wyeth Nutrition manufacturing plant. Wyeth Nutrition Ireland produces a range of milk powder products for infants, young children and mothers for export to world markets.
Michael Creed, Ireland Minister for Agriculture, opened the facility. “This is a strategically important investment for Ireland by the world’s largest food and beverage company,” he said.
“We are honoured to have a world-leading research facility that provides a cutting-edge scientific base to develop new products that will bring health benefits to infants, children and mothers worldwide.
“Nestlé’s decision to invest and open this centre further places Ireland internationally as a location that offers quality raw dairy materials combined with a highly educated and skilled workforce. It is a major signal of confidence in the future and quality of the Irish dairy industry.”
Thomas Hauser, Nestlé head of global product and technology development, said: “Our Irish R&D centre will benefit from Nestlé’s global R&D network and help to position Nestlé at the fore of infant and maternal nutritional product development, one of Nestlé’s most important growth drivers. With this new centre, we will increase the pace of our innovation capacity by enabling our scientists to explore innovative nutritional solutions for the crucial first 1,000 days of life.”
Dan O’Callaghan, head of the new centre, added: “Between our pilot plant and laboratories, we have installed state-of-the-art food processing equipment and analytical instruments. We will also complement our in-house activities through collaborative research programmes with Irish universities and with Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority. This will enable our cross-functional team of research scientists to develop the next wave of innovative nutritional products to meet the demands of future generations.”
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