Fonterra, a dairy co-operative based in New Zealand, has opened a new innovation centre in Shanghai, China.
The launch of the new innovation centre is a part of the co-operative’s plan to help meet the growing demand for quality dairy nutrition in China.
The Shanghai innovation centre will engage in the development of premium ingredients and new dairy products particularly designed to cater to the needs of regional Chinese customers and consumers.
In addition to developing new products and ingredients, the new centre will conduct various product training courses for major customers, particularly focused on the Anchor dairy product line.
The facility will employ local staff, who will get trained in product formulation, product production, operating procedures and food safety systems.
Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings said that the new centre supports the co-operative’s total global strategy, and is key to the integrated milk business being built in China.
"China is a significant priority in Fonterra’s global strategy and our Innovation Centre will help us develop unique products and formats that suit the needs of the local population, " he said.
According to the co-operative, the need for dairy nutrition is estimated to double by 2020 and the way people consume dairy will also alter.
Fonterra believes that the opening of the Shanghai innovation centre will help it grow beyond its current product and ingredient offerings, while meeting the needs of local Chinese in a comparatively better way.
Recently, Fonterra announced its plans to invest in two new large-scale dairy farms in Hebei Province, North East China.
Fonterra is a New Zealand multinational dairy co-operative owned by nearly 10,500 New Zealand farmers.
Its brands include Anchor, Tip Top, Anlene, Anmum and Mainland.
Image: (from right) Fonterra advisory chef Teoh Joo Cheong shows Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings and the co-operative’s China President Philip Turner the new pastry and baking equipment in the Shanghai innovation centre. Photo: Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited.
