Upfield Group, a Dutch producer of plant-based margarines, spreads and cheeses is investing €50 million in a new state-of-the-art Food Science Centre in Wageningen, Netherlands.

The facility – which the company intends to open before the end of 2021 – aims to produce food made from plants as well as sustainable packaging solutions.

By choosing Wageningen – considered the Silicon Valley of the food industry – as the location of the new Upfield Food Science Centre, the company will be able to maximize the benefits of the surrounding area including its proximity to The Wageningen University & Research (WUR), which is ranked as the world’s leading University in Agri-Food and serves as the core of a leading Agri-Food Ecosystem.

Alongside plans for the new centre, the company has also submitted plans for a newly built Global Headquarter office will bring together Associates who are currently based in both Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The move will enhance collaboration between Associates currently working at different sites.

“Since Upfield was established under two years ago, we have already launched new and industry-leading plant-based cheese, cream, and butter products,” said Group CEO David Haines.

“The new Upfield Food Science Centre will allow us to accelerate our ambitious agenda and develop even more options so people can enjoy great tasting, natural, plant-based foods that are not only beneficial to their health, but to the planet.”