Mondelez International unveils R&D centre in India following $15mn investment

Mondelez International has opened a new global research, development and quality (RDQ) technical centre in India, following a USD$15mn investment.

The facility comes as part of the snack company's plan to invest $65mn to develop a network of state-of-the-art technical hubs around the world.

Located in Thane, near Mumbai, the new global technical centre will support the firm’s growth-strategy by focusing on innovations in chocolate and beverages.

“With these Technical Centers, we’re focusing our investment in research, equipment and capabilities, driving innovation to accelerate our growth,” explained Rob Hargrove, Executive Vice President, Research, Development and Quality at Mondelez.

“Our RDQ hubs will improve speed, efficiency and effectiveness, while increased scale will enable us to address evolving consumer needs more quickly. We are delighted that one of our global technical centres is based in India, which has one of the best technical and scientific capabilities in the world.”

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The 12,000 sq. metre technical centre will feature a pilot plant, a packaging creative studio, and a range of laboratories for technical research and development.

The site is also water neutral and a zero-discharge facility, with a large part of the energy coming from solar panels.

Today, Mondelez International has nine other operating technical hubs around the world, including in East Hanover, New Jersey, in the United States; Curitiba in Brazil; Bournville and Reading, both in the UK; Wroclaw in Poland; Singapore and Suzhou in China; Saclay in France; Munich in Germany.

The facility has a team of around 150 scientists, developers, engineers analytical chemists and other specialists who will collaborate closely with other innovation around the globe.

“Our mission at Mondelēz International is simple – to offer consumers the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way. And our global Technical Center network is crucial to support this,” added Maurizio Brusadelli, EVP & President AMEA (Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa).

“Our AMEA region hosts three global technical centres – the other two being in China and Singapore – demonstrating that our dynamic markets are at the heart of the company’s growth strategy. Our investment in the Thane Technical Center further emphasizes the importance of India to our global business.”