Nestlé Plans BRL 600 Million Infant Formula Factory in Brazil

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Nestlé has announced an additional BRL 2 billion investment in its Nutrition & Health business in Brazil, scheduled to be completed by 2028. The main new project is the construction of an infant formula factory in Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, with an investment of BRL 600 million. Construction is planned to begin in 2027, with production starting in 2028. Once operational, the new factory will expand local supply capacity in Brazil and reserve room for future exports.

The new factory will be built adjacent to Nestlé's existing dairy industrial complex in Ituiutaba. The site currently produces dairy products such as Ninho Integral, Ninho Instantâneo, Ninho Zero Lactose, Ninho Adulto, Molico Fibras, and Molico Zero Lactose. In the initial phase of operation, the new project will produce infant formula products including Nestogeno, Nestonutri, Ninho 1+, and Ninho 3+. Nestlé stated that the new facility will adopt a highly automated production system and incorporate the Group's advanced infant formula production technologies.

The construction phase is expected to generate approximately 700 jobs, with around 100 additional direct jobs created once the factory is operational. According to Nestlé's disclosed timeline, construction will begin in 2027, with operations starting in 2028. At this stage, the company has not yet disclosed the factory's building area, designed annual production capacity, number of main production lines, EPC contractor, or equipment suppliers.

This BRL 2 billion Nutrition & Health investment accounts for approximately 30% of Nestlé's total BRL 7 billion investment plan in Brazil for 2025–2028. In addition to the new Ituiutaba factory, the funds will also be used for capacity, efficiency, and technology upgrades at the Araçatuba industrial complex. In July, Nestlé announced an investment of BRL 540 million in the Araçatuba factory through 2028, aimed at modernization, production efficiency improvements, adoption of new technologies, and capacity expansion. The site currently produces infant formula, medical nutrition, and adult nutrition products.

The raw material side is also included in the expansion plan. This year, Nestlé resumed whey production in Carazinho, Rio Grande do Sul, to support the growth of its infant nutrition business. On the energy systems front, the Ibiá and Ituiutaba factories will introduce biomethane to gradually replace the liquefied petroleum gas currently used in industrial processes such as drying equipment, ovens, and boilers.

To date, Nestlé operates 18 industrial facilities and 12 distribution centers in Brazil, employing more than 30,000 people directly and indirectly. Following the implementation of the Ituiutaba project, Nestlé's Nutrition & Health business in Brazil will feature a manufacturing layout with the existing specialized production base in Araçatuba running in parallel with the new infant formula capacity in Ituiutaba.