Kerry Group opens largest and most advanced taste facility in Africa

Irish taste and nutrition company Kerry Group has opened a new $40m manufacturing facility in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to serve customers across the continent.

Ireland-based Kerry Group, a leading nutrition company, has opened its largest and most advanced taste manufacturing facility in Hammarsdale, a town in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The new 10,000m2 site represents a R650m ($40.54m) investment and will serve customers across Africa.

The factory is one of Kerry Group’s most environmentally friendly facilities, boasting low energy usage equipment as well as solar power generation, waste heat capture and water capture capabilities. The opening forms part of South Africa’s presidential drive to encourage sustainable, equitable and inclusive investment.

In a press release, Kerry Group chief executive officer Edmond Scanlon said: “The opening of the facility in Hammarsdale is a significant step forward in helping to realise our vision of creating a world of sustainable nutrition. For 50 years, Kerry has focused on meeting local consumer needs grounded in great taste – one of the most important criteria in any food or beverage. Our suite of world-leading technologies combined with our expertise and now this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility ensures that we can continue to work with our customers to produce great tasting, nutritious products that are respectful of our planet.”

In addition, Kerry Group is expanding its development and application centre in Nairobi, Kenya, to better serve customers in East Africa.