Swiss food company Nestle is planning to invest over €25m for expansion of its research and development center in Askeaton, Ireland.
The expanded facility will be located at Nestle's current plant in Askeaton.
The facility produces powdered milk-based products for infants, young children and mothers which are exported to world markets.
The R&D center will concentrate on global product innovation for Nestle's Wyeth Nutrition infant and maternal nutrition business. The center is slated to open in late 2017.
Nestle Research CTO Stefan Catsicas 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.
"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 expanded R&D center will focus on developing innovative, scientific products for mothers and infants.
Following the expansion, the facility will feature modern laboratory along with full pilot-scale production line to enable development and testing of new products starting from conceptualization stage to finished product stages.
The project will receive financial support from Enterprise Ireland, a government agency that supports manufacturing businesses.
Enterprise Ireland food division director Michael Cantwell said: "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 Swiss company recently announced plans to invest $127.71m in Egypt in the next few years as part of its expansion strategy.
Image: Nestle expands Irish research facility. Photo: Courtesy of Nestlé.
