Nestlé has announced that it plans to invest over €25 million in a significant expansion of its Research and Development Centre in Askeaton. The enhanced facility will be located at the existing Nestlé plant, which produces a range of high quality premium powdered milk-based products for infants, young children and mothers for export to world markets.The R&D Centre will focus on global product innovation for Nestlé’s Wyeth Nutrition infant and maternal nutrition business and is anticipated to open in late 2017.
Stefan Catsicas, Chief Technology Officer, Nestlé Research, said: “This centre will be a leading laboratory in food and life sciences to continue to position Nestlé at the fore of infant and maternal nutritional product development. It will enable our scientists to explore nutritional opportunities that can improve the health and wellness of children’s lives. This major product development centre will be an essential part of our Global Nestlé Nutrition R&D network.”
The extended R&D Centre will concentrate on developing premium, high quality, innovative, science-based products for mothers and infants, and will incorporate state-of-the-art laboratory facilities as well as a full pilot-scale manufacturing line to facilitate development and testing of new products from the initial concept through to finished product development. The project investment is being supported by Enterprise Ireland.
Michael Cantwell, Director of the Food Division, Enterprise Ireland, added: “Nestlé’s decision to extend its R&D centre at its manufacturing plant at the Askeaton site is of critical strategic importance and underpins Nestlé’s commitment to its Irish-based operations.”