The new Kerry facility is the company’s largest greenfield investment in Southeast Asia (SEA) and includes a manufacturing site, research and development pilot plant, and a sampling hub, with all utility equipment designed to the latest energy efficiency standards.
The Karawang facility will support Kerry’s food and beverage customers in all food categories, including beverage, snacks and bakery, and will enable the creation of authentic taste experiences inspired by local and traditional cuisines.
Commenting on the new facility, Edmond Scanlon, Kerry Group CEO, said: "The opening of our state-of-the-art facility will not only expand our reach into the flourishing Southeast Asian taste market but also revolutionise the way sustainable nutrition is embraced in the region. By collaborating with leading food and beverage manufacturers, we will harness our global technologies to create products that resonate with Asian consumers' specific taste preferences."
With an estimated value of close to €1bn and growing rapidly, the SEA taste market presents a big opportunity for companies prioritising development and innovation in the food and beverage industry. The Indonesian Government's 'Making Indonesia 4.0' initiative has emphasised the significance of the food and beverage sector in propelling the nation towards becoming one of the world's top 10 economies by 2030.
John Cahalane, president and CEO, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, added: “As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is in a unique position to support the regional market.
“The opening of the Karawang facility is a significant step forward in realising our vision of creating a world of sustainable nutrition. Innovating with our customers, we will create delicious products with improved nutrition and functionality, while ensuring a better impact for the planet. Working together, we can usher in a new era of sustainable nutrition.”
In other news, law firm Higgs has warned that insolvencies in the food and drink manufacturing sector could hit record highs this year.