Nestlé Health Science, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., Switzerland, opened the doors to its new Nestlé Product Technology Center in Bridgewater, N.J. This 3-year, $70 million investment established a global research and development hub that will advance the company’s offerings in further elevating the power of nutrition.

The Nestlé Product Technology Center is the lead Product Technology Center for Nestlé Health Science globally, part of a strong network of R&D centers that drive Nestlé Health Science’s mission to empower healthier lives through nutrition.

“The opening of the Nestlé Product Technology Center comes at an exciting time, when the potential for science-based nutritional solutions is accelerating,” says Thomas Hauser, senior vice president, head of global product and technology development. “With this advanced center leading the way, we’re able to leverage Nestlé’s global R&D efforts here in New Jersey to rapidly translate science into innovation for consumers, patients and healthcare professionals. We’re also advantaged by the fact that the facility is co-located with the U.S. headquarters of Nestlé Health Science, allowing for deep integration between the R&D and commercial sides of the business in our largest market.”

Home to more than 170 employees, the Bridgewater facility is equipped with advanced capabilities across the R&D lifecycle – from ideation and rapid prototyping to sensory science, production and commercialization. The Nestlé Product Technology Center also plays a critical role in advancing the company’s efforts to reduce packaging and produce lighter-weight products, part of Nestlé’s global ambition to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

“We approach sustainability as the right way to do business,” says Greg Behar, chief executive officer of Nestlé Health Science. “Our science-driven nutrition portfolio continues to evolve toward cleaner recipes based on more sustainably sourced ingredients, while improving our environmental footprint including packaging.”

The Nestlé Product Technology Center became fully operational in August with the completion of its pilot plant.

“At Nestlé Health Science, our growth strategy is driven by continuing to meet the needs of a diverse set of consumers and patients, aligned with market trends,” says Behar. “This requires agility, faster speed-to-market and greater collaboration, as we evolve our core portfolio of products in areas like healthy aging, diabetes and pediatrics, but also as we develop new, valuable nutritional solutions in oncology, food allergies and gut health, among others. We are already seeing the benefits of uniting our R&D and commercial teams in one location, and we are excited about the future as we seek to change the course of health for people and patients in the U.S. and around the world.”