Plant-based spread company Upfield have announced they are planning to invest €50 million (approximately £44 million) in a new state-of-the-art Upfield Food Science Centre in Wageningen, Netherlands.
The company is the leading producer of plant-based spreads of butter and margarine globally, with a range of brands under their name including Flora, RAMA and Blue Band. According to their website, they aim to ‘push the boundaries’ of plant-based spreads with more ‘natural ingredients and processes that deliver healthier products’ that not only have a great taste but have good quality as well. Upfield also have a range of plant-based cheese and cream as well.
According to David Haines, Group CEO, this latest venture will allow the company to accelerate its aim by producing even more great-tasting and natural plant-based foods that are also sustainably packaged. Haines also says how this investment demonstrates the company’s ‘commitment to ambitious and pioneering research and development’.
While the Chief Research and Development Officer, John Verbakel said, “Investment in the new Upfield Food Science Centre will give us access to state-of-the-art equipment, technology and an inspiring and creative network of individuals and companies, allowing us to really push the boundaries of what we can achieve in natural, plant-based foods innovation.”
Upfield also plans to open a new Global Headquarter office in Amsterdam and intend to open the new facility before 2022.
