NESTLÉ OPENS PLANT-BASED MEALS FACILITY IN SHAH ALAM
Firm invests RM150m in factory to cater to rising demand for nutritional alternatives
NESTLE SA, through Nestle (M) Bhd, has opened its pioneering plant-based meal solutions manufacturing facility here, the group’s first in Asean and one of only two in Asia.
Nestle Malaysia invested RM150 million in the facility, which will cater to the rising demand for plant-based food locally as well as overseas.
Nestle vice-president and chief executive officer (CEO) for Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa Chris Johnson said in a statement it chose Malaysia for the new manufacturing hub as it had the right infrastructure, trade links and access to talent.
“We also build on Nestle’s 108 years of successful presence in Malaysia. We are confident that with this new facility, we will be able to capture the exciting growth opportunity for plantbased products in this region, which is a very important growth priority for the Nestle group worldwide.”
Nestle Malaysia CEO Juan Aranols said the production site would allow it to supply locally produced, high-quality, greattasting and halal-certified plantbased meals.
“As in other parts of the world, Malaysians are becoming interested in alternatives to meat consumption, either because of health reasons or environmental considerations.
“For them, we have developed an exciting range of products that provide excellent nutritional alternatives supporting healthier and more sustainable lifestyles,” he said at the opening of the facility yesterday.
Aranols said plant-based solutions are also more sustainable as they have a lower carbon footprint and require less natural resources.
“By accelerating the rollout of our plant-based food and beverages, we are taking steps to shape a more sustainable future for all.”
The plant has an annual production capacity of 8,000 tonnes and is equipped with the latest food processing machinery and highly automated packing lines.
The plant has commenced production of Nestle’s new Harvest Gourmet plant-based products and the firm will soon launch its consumer range nationwide via retail and e-commerce.
The range includes the Sensational Burger, Schnitzel, Chargrilled Pieces and minced products that can be integrated in home cooking recipes.
The products are made from plant-based ingredients such as soya, wheat, beetroot, carrot, pomegranate and blackcurrant.