Nestlé opens hypoallergenic infant formula factory

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

“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.”

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.”