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Unilever has announced plans to invest over $80 million in the expansion of its Jefferson City facility in Missouri, US. The funding will increase the plant’s operations capabilities for the production of Liquid IV, a brand within Unilever’s health and wellbeing business. Liquid IV, which claims to be the number one powdered hydration brand in the US, provides a number of daily electrolyte drink mixes that utilise cellular transport technology to deliver hydration to your body “faster and more efficiently than water alone”. Liquid IV was acquired by Unilever in 2020 and is now said to be four times larger than it was in the period near the acquisition. The automated operations to produce Liquid IV include automated packaging lines, a blending room and modifications to required infrastructure, such as heating and cooling. Jostein Solheim, Unilever’s health and wellbeing CEO, said: “Securing supply chain resiliency for Liquid IV is a key factor in continuing to drive growth for the brand. We are pleased to make this investment into Jefferson City where Unilever has had a longstanding history.” Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater added: “Just two months ago the company announced they are investing over $25 million to enhance its current warehouse operations and now an additional $80 million on a new product to be produced in our community which aligns with my vision for Jefferson City – we are open for business”.