By Business & Finance 
Nestlé today announced it will invest over €25m in a significant expansion of its R&D centre in Askeaton, Co. Limerick.
The Askeaton plant produces a range of 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: “Nestlé has a long-standing reputation for excellence in food and nutrition research. 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.
He continued: “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, part of Nestlé`s global R&D network of close to 5,000 people, will concentrate on developing innovative, science-based products for mothers and infants.
It will incorporate laboratory facilities, as well as a full pilot-scale manufacturing line to facilitate development and testing of new products from initial concept through to finished product development.
Michael Cantwell, director of the Food Division, Enterprise Ireland, added: “This is a strategically important investment for Ireland and is a huge vote of confidence in the future of the Irish dairy industry and the research connectedness in Ireland. 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.”
The project investment is being supported by Enterprise Ireland.
