Nestlé upgrades Singapore R&D facilities marking site’s 40th anniversary
A significant investment is being made by Nestlé in upgrading its Singapore R&D facilities across its activities including snacks and confectionery-linked ranges to mark the facility’s 40th anniversary, reports Neill Barston.
The company revealed the site has played a strong role in developing innovative products and technologies for South East Asia and beyond for both the company’s retail and out-of-home business.
Among its product ranges developed in Singapore are ice cream series, plant-based food series chocolate flavoured milk amid its wider sector focus, with scientists focused on tailoring flavours to local consumer preferences, taste and nutritional requirements.
As the Swiss-headquartered firm noted, its R&D centre sits in the heart of a vibrant innovation ecosystem, enabling strong collaborations with innovation partners, research institutions, and start-ups across the region.
The facility is part of Nestlé’s global R&D organisation which consists of 23 locations around the world. By strengthening its capabilities, it can better accelerate the innovation of science-based products.
Commenting on its expansion Chris Johnson, chief executive officer for Zone Asia, Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa for Nestlé said: “All food is local. If you want to be successful in our business, you need a good understanding of the flavours people love, the dishes they want to serve to their families, the food trends they want to try. That’s why it’s so important to have a research and development team in Singapore, here in the heart of South East Asia, a centre of excellence driving innovation and product development in Asia, for Asia.”
To further strengthen the centre’s innovation capabilities, Nestlé upgraded the R&D facilities to feature state-of-the-art labs, experimental kitchens, consumer testing, sensory evaluations rooms, open working spaces, as well as Nestlé’s fundamental research hub. This will enable faster translation of breakthrough science into nutritious, great-tasting products for people, across all life stages.
The upgraded facilities also include a new regional R&D Accelerator, part of Nestlé’s global R&D Accelerator network. It provides a world-class platform for start-ups, students, and Nestlé employees in the region to develop and test novel concepts in under six months. They will have access to Nestlé’s R&D expertise, co-working spaces, and small to medium-scale production equipment to facilitate the rapid upscaling of products for a test launch in real market conditions.
Thomas Hauser, head of Global Product and Technology Development for Nestlé says, “Our R&D centre in Singapore has a long history of developing innovative products for South East Asia that are inspired by the cultural diversity and different local cuisines. Upgrading the center with state-of-the-art facilities including the new R&D Accelerator is proof of our long-term commitment to the region. We will also be able to respond to food and beverage trends and challenges more quickly and efficiently.”
