UK – The global food and drink giant, Nestle has opened a new global research and development centre for maternal and infant nutrition at its manufacturing facility in Limerick, Ireland.

The centre, its first in Ireland attracted an investment of US$30.65 million (€27million) and was inaugurated by Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Thomas Hauser, Head of Global Product and Technology Development for Nestlé S.A.

The new R&D centre will focus on scientific research to support innovations in the development of milk-based maternal and infant nutrition products for the global market.

It employs over 40 research staff who will concentrate on developing premium, science-based products for mothers and infants.

It incorporates state-of-the-art 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.

The centre is located near Nestlé’s Wyeth Nutrition manufacturing plant which produces a range of premium milk powder products for infants, young children and mothers for export to world markets.

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.

THOMAS HAUSER, HEAD OF GLOBAL PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FOR NESTLÉ S.A

Nestle, the world’s largest food and nutrition organisation, has about 30 R&D centres and over 5,000 people worldwide and in 2017, it invested about US41.47 billion in R&D.

In Ireland, it employs 750 people, manufacturing over 70 brands across seven categories, including beverage, confectionery, cereals, food, pet care, dairy and infant nutrition.

Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting companies like Nestle to increase their level of innovation, improve their competitiveness and expand their global footprint, with the ultimate goal of delivering export growth for Ireland.

ORLA BATTERSBY, HEAD OF THE FOOD DIVISION, ENTERPRISE IRELAND