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Taste and nutrition company Kerry has officially opened the "largest and most advanced" taste manufacturing facility in Africa. The new facility, which cost €38 million to construct, is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and aims to produce sustainable nutrition solutions for consumers across the African continent. Located in the town of Hammarsdale, the 10,000 m2 facility features low energy usage equipment, solar power generation, waste heat capture and efficient water capture, reuse and reduction. Edmond Scanlon, CEO Kerry Group, said: “The opening of the facility in Hammarsdale is a significant step forward in helping to realise our vision of creating a world of sustainable nutrition. For 50 years, Kerry has focused on meeting local consumer needs grounded in great taste – one of the most important criteria in any food or beverage. He continued: "Our suite of world-leading technologies combined with our expertise and now this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility ensures that we can continue to work with our customers to produce great tasting, nutritious products that are respectful of our planet”. Speaking at the launch event today, South Africa’s deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, Nomalungelo Gina, said: “The project is recognised as a key strategic investment in the region of Kwa-Zulu Natal and within South Africa’s food manufacturing industry and has been included as part of the South African Presidential investment drive to stimulate sustainable, equitable and inclusive growth as the foundation for socio-economic transformation in the country. We are excited about this investment because it aligns very well with our re-imagined industrial strategy.”