Nestlé opens hypoallergenic infant formula factory in Germany

Nestlé has opened a new EUR 117 million (over CHF 149 million) factory in Germany dedicated to producing hypoallergenic (HA) infant formula.

OPENING CEREMONY: Left to right: Nandu Nandkishore, Head of Nestlé Nutrition, Werner Bauer, Chief Technology Officer Nestlé S.A., Helmut Maucher, Honorary Chairman Nestlé S.A.; Johann Fleschhut, Ostalgäu District Administrator; Horst Seehofer, Bavarian Prime Minister; Gerhard Berssenbrügge, CEO Nestlé Germany; Dr. Gerd Müller, Secretary of State Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.

As an extension of the Company’s 106 year old Biessenhofen factory site, the Nestlé Nutrition infant formula factory is one of the world’s largest and most modern facilities producing hypoallergenic – or allergy risk reducing – infant formula.

The new 23,000 square-metre factory now doubles its production of Nestlé HA infant formula under brands such as Nestlé Alete and Nestlé Beba.

Taking two years to be completed, the new factory includes a 23 metre-high ‘spray tower’ that encompasses state-of-the-art technology to produce the HA infant formula.

The site also includes thermal insulation and a new cooling system to promote efficient use of energy and water – illustrating Nestlé’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

The factory was officially opened by Werner Bauer, Nestlé’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer; Nandu Nandkishore, Deputy Executive Vice President and Head of Nestlé Nutrition; and Gerhard Berssenbrügge, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Germany.

Horst Seehofer, Bavarian Prime Minister; and Gerd Müller, Secretary of State Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, also attended the event.

In partnership with the Nestlé Research Center in Lausanne, the Product and Technology Centre (PTC) in Konolfingen, the HA production centre in Biessenhofen, and other external collaborations; HA infant formula has been produced at the Biessenhofen factory site since 1987.

Speaking at a press conference to commemorate the opening, Mr Bauer emphasised Nestlé’s lead in innovation and said: “We celebrate not only the factory opening, but also the 25th year in the fight against the risk of allergy in non-breastfed infants by Nestlé’s hypoallergenic infant formula.”

He added: “Biessenhofen has a special place in our history, as well as in our research and development. Right from the beginning, since 1905, Biessenhofen was responsible for manufacturing nutritional products.”

Nestlé recommends breastfeeding as breast milk is the most nutritionally sound first food for babies, helping to protect them from allergies. But for babies who cannot be breast-fed, Nestlé HA infant formula is a clinically proven way to significantly reduce the risk of developing allergic reactions.

Driven by Nestlé’s Research and Development, HA infant formula is based on 100% whey protein which is hydrolyzed – or broken down – to reduce the allergenicity of protein found in cow’s milk.

In only moderately breaking down the allergenicity of the protein, Nestlé HA infant formula simultaneously allows to gently introduce a so-called oral tolerance to food allergies and provides a pleasant taste for babies.

Mr Nandkishore stressed that the new factory marks a key milestone in Nestlé’s long-term investment in the area, while also highlighting Nestlé Nutrition’s vision.

He said: “We can meet growing consumer demand for products with tangible health benefits in over 80 countries across the world; while playing a vital role converting our innovative research into state-of-the-art production, and giving Nestlé Nutrition a competitive advantage in the market-place.

“Biessenhofen also plays an important part in our overall mission of applying science-based nutrition to meet consumer needs and helping them live longer and healthier, while contributing to the significant role we play at Nestlé Nutrition in terms of Nestlé’s overall Nutrition, Health and Wellness mission.”

The Biessenhofen factory site – one of three Nestlé factories worldwide that produces HA infant formula – also produces products such as infant cereals, infant specialties, healthcare products for adults under the brands Alete, Sinlac, or Clinutren, but also products like Thomy and Nescafé Xpress. The factory site exports to over 80 countries and employs around 640 people.