KUALA LUMPUR, Nestle has launched its new regional research and development (R&D) accelerator initiative in Singapore that provides a world-class platform for start-ups, students and Nestle employees in the region to develop and test novel concepts in under six months.
The launch was in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Nestle’s R&D centre in Singapore.
Head of global product and technology development Thomas Hauser said participants of the initiative would have access to Nestle’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.
He said the region R&D accelerator in Singapore is part of Nestle’s global R&D accelerator initiative that was first launched at Nestle Research in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2019 and now consisted of 23 locations around the world.
“Our R&D centre in Singapore has a long history of developing innovative products for Southeast Asia (SEA) that are inspired by the cultural diversity and different local cuisines.
“Upgrading the centre with state-of-the-art facilities including the new R&D accelerator is proof of our long-term commitment to the region,” he said at the virtual launch of the centre today.
He said he believed the strengthening of the centre’s capabilities could better accelerate the pace of outstanding innovations of science-based products across life stages.
Asked about the total investment of the centre, Hauser, however, refused to disclose the investment of individual sites but stated that Nestle has spent over 1.6 billion Swiss francs (about RM7.37 billion) for all the centres.
Meanwhile, Nestle vice-president and chief executive officer for Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa Chris Johnson said Southeast Asia is the most important region for Nestle within the zone that represents about a third of its total sales.
“It’s an exciting dynamic region with much opportunity for growth, which is why we value it so highly. 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 SEA, a centre of excellence driving innovation and product development in Asia, for Asia,” he added.
To mark the centre’s anniversary, Nestle upgraded the centre to feature state-of-the-art labs, experimental kitchens, consumer testing, sensory evaluations rooms, open working spaces as well as Nestle’s fundamental research hub to enable faster translation of breakthrough science into nutritious, great-tasting products for people, across all life stages.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency