Nestle Expands Research and Development in Switzerland
Nestle is boosting its research and development in Switzerland by extending its Product Technology Centre (PTC) in Konolfingen. The extension will help to enhance Nestle’s innovative technologies for new product development and apply these to the company’s operations worldwide. PTC Konolfingen focuses on the development of infant formula, dairy products and medical nutrition.
Nestle’s latest investment is part of its commitment to increase its R&D capabilities. The company opened a Clinical Development Unit earlier this year and is set to open the Nestle Institute of Health Sciences, both based in the Swiss city ofLausanne. In total over half of Nestle’s global investment in R&D is spent in Switzerland.
Werner Bauer, chief technology officer for Nestle.
Werner Bauer, chief technology officer for Nestle, comments: “We have had an R&D capability at Konolfingen for over 40 years since our company first acquired the milk sterilising site to develop milk products and processes. In 1998 we introduced the concept of Product Technology Centres. This was a game-changing decision that concentrated product development to just a few sites globally. PTC Konolfingen quickly became a flagship for our new R&D structure. We are now celebrating a further extension to our capabilities on the site.”
The new extension will feature a new spray drying tower, installations for ‘wet mix’ processing and special production lines to package Nestlé powdered products. It will also be equipped with a process control system to meet a variety of food and safety standards.The new extension follows a SFr200 million investment in 2011 to open a production unit at the Konolfingen site. In total the company has invested about SFr465 million in the site since 2006.
