Dutch dairy giant FrieslandCampina is to build a research and development facility to focus on dairy drinks, branded cheese and infant nutrition.
FrieslandCampina has announced plans for an R&D centre in the town of Wageningen on the campus of Wageningen University & Research Centre.
In May, FrieslandCampina announced plans to reorganise its R&D sites in the Netherlands. The company said it would close two facilities but keep a third in Wageningen; the new EUR60m (US$83.44m) project on the university campus will replace its current office in the town.
A spokesperson insisted no jobs will be cut and said the investment would have a “positive” impact on employment, with over 350 staff working at the site.
The spokesman said the R&D centre would focus on dairy-based beverages, cheese brands, infant nutrition and ingredients – four areas FrieslandCampina highlighted in June when it announced route2020, a strategy designed to grow the business globally.
In a statement, CEO Cees ‘t Hart said: “Innovation is an essential element of our route2020 strategy. Achieving breakthrough innovations in consumer products, ingredients and processes is vital to help consumers and customers further and to better valorise the milk of our members.”
