Swiss food company Nestlé is set to extend its Product Technology Centre (PTC) in Konolfingen, Switzerland, as a part of a plan to strengthen its R&D capabilities.
The extension of PTC Konolfingen, which is involved in the development of infant formula, dairy products and medical nutrition, will enable the company to improve its technologies for new product development and apply them to its global operations.
Nestlé chief technology officer Werner Bauer said that in 1998, the company introduced the concept of PTC, which focused on product development at few locations globally, following which, PTC Konolfingen became a flagship for Nestlé's new R&D structure.
"We are now celebrating a further extension to our capabilities on the site," he added.
The new extension will include a new spray drying tower; installations for wet mix processing; special production lines to package Nestlé powdered products; and a process control system to meet a range of food and safety standards.
Nestlé noted that about 50% of its global investment in R&D goes to Switzerland, where it has a total of eight R&D facilities. Currently, Nestlé has 32 R&D facilities and 12 PTCs across the world.
