SWITZERLAND | Nestlé has announced strengthening its R&D expertise in biotechnology and creating a new centre for deep tech to boost its innovation pipeline and increase efficiency in research, innovation, and operations.
A leaner R&D organisation will unlock investments, more agile working methods, a focused project portfolio, and the redeployment of existing resources.
"These new capabilities in bio tech and deep tech will fuel growth by meeting changing consumer needs and accelerating the digital transformation of Nestlé,” said Laurent Freixe, CEO of Nestlé S.A.
‘This is about putting the Nestlé Virtuous Circle in action: unlocking investment through efficiencies to drive more focused and impactful innovation and growth."
Enhanced R&D expertise in cutting-edge biotechnology and clinical research will lead to new nutritional solutions. This will further bolster Nestlé’s consumer-centric innovation pipelines for maternal, early life and medical nutrition, and support new growth platforms such as healthy longevity, women’s health and weight management.
Nestlé’s pet care business will also leverage science-based solutions, including pet therapeutics. New capabilities include the development of the next generation of screening assays, enhanced capabilities in precision fermentation, and a reinforced clinical research program. These competencies will drive significant advances in precision nutrition and the development of new generations of highly effective bioactives and biotics, including post- and synbiotics.
The creation of a centre for deep tech will be a first in the food and nutrition industry. Nestlé will build on existing expertise in sensor systems, solutions for product recognition, remote control, and display solutions. The new centre will screen, test, and develop new generations of sensors, robots, coding systems, high-performing AI, and virtual/mixed reality solutions to increase efficiency in research, innovation, and operations.
New technologies will enable the development of smart coffee machines, innovative solutions for precision nutrition, self-controlling equipment and new solutions for dynamic quality assurance.
"We continue transforming our R&D organisation to embrace science and technology trends and seize current and future growth opportunities. The industry-leading biotechnology capabilities will deliver new ingredients with clinically proven bio-efficacy for precision nutrition for people and pets along their entire lifespan,” said Stefan Palzer, CTO of Nestlé S.A.
“Upscaling our unique capabilities in deep tech is key to maximising efficiency in innovation and operations. And all of this is powered by a leaner and more agile R&D organisation."
Nestlé’s global R&D organisation responds to business and consumer needs, as well as environmental and technology trends, by leveraging its industry-leading science and technology platforms.
In close collaboration with the commercial teams and with a clear focus on fewer but impactful projects, R&D develops differentiating product and technology innovations that fuel Nestlé’s growth.
The centre will be officially opened in the first half of 2026 at the existing facilities of the Nestlé System Technology Centre in Orbe, Switzerland.
