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EUROPEAN food giant Nestlé has announced plans to launch two R&D centres in China, doubling its research presence in the country.

Nestlé says that the move comes as part of a plan “to further its understanding of Chinese consumers, ingredients and local cuisine.” The units will be based in the cities of Xiamen and Dongguan. They will primarily be supporting Nestlé’s joint ventures with Chinese companies Yinlu and Hsu Fu Chi, though they will also work on their own projects.

“We continue to invest in our R&D capability in Asia, because we know this brings us closer to local consumers, and gives us a greater understanding of the raw materials used to make the products they enjoy,” says Johannes Baensch, head of Nestlé’s research and development division.

The unit in Xiamen will specialise in beverages, and will support Yinlu ­– China’s leading producer of peanut milk and congee. The centre in Dongguan, meanwhile, will have expertise in baked products and will work closely with Hsu Fu Chi, which produces confectionery, biscuits, and traditional Chinese snacks.

Nestlé launched its first Chinese R&D centre in Shanghai over a decade ago, in a bid to secure a position in the rapidly-developing Asian markets. It set up a second facility in Beijing four years ago, focussing on packaging and analytical science, and in the development of dairy, nutrition, cereal, beverage mix, and petcare products.

“We’ve been building our R&D capability in China for more than ten years,” says Baensch. “The result is a really talented team, and a strong talent pool for the future.”