FDBusiness.com

International dairy co-operative FrieslandCampina is investing Eur36m to almost double production capacity at its Aalter production site in Belgium. The project will span 18 months and develop Aalter into a state-of-the-art factory.

Royal FrieslandCampina, which was created in December 2008 from the merger of Royal Friesland Foods and Campina, is now focusing on innovation and sustainable development. FrieslandCampina employs around 1,200 people in Belgium and achieved a turnover of Eur523.2m in 2009.

In addition to Belgium, the products manufactured in Aalter are also sold in the French, British, German and Dutch markets. The Aalter project follows on from the investment made last year at FrieslandCampina’s site in Lummen in Belgium. Further investment in Belgium will also be made this year at Bornem.

Up to now, FrieslandCampina has been producing the Joyvalle and Campina brands in Aalter. The investment project will allow Aalter to also produce the Fristi, Cecemel and Nutroma brands in cardboard packaging and bottles, and coffee creamer in single-serving cups. The extra volume to be transferred from other FrieslandCampina locations will create employment for 90 people in addition to the more than 500 staff currently employed at Aalter.