€5m Glanbia centre provides innovation
The world-class centre, supported by Enterprise Ireland, has been in operation since last September and currently employs 42 people - 16 development professionals and 26 highly skilled research scientists.
This number will rise to 52 in October when a further expansion is complete.
Glanbia's innovation team develops a range of nutritional solutions focused on weight management, immune balance and intestinal health products, as well as functional ingredients and hand-held consumer snacks and beverages.
The centre also substantiates health claims for Glanbia's science-based functional ingredients, which are subsequently incorporated into products by food and beverage or "near-pharmaceutical" customers.
In recent months, Glanbia established a scientific advisory committee, chaired by Professor Gerald Fitzgerald of UCC. This provides regular collaboration between Glanbia and the international research community.
Minister Martin, who congratulated Glanbia on taking the lead in investing in higher value added research, said Enterprise Ireland's recent strategy document Transforming Irish Industry, focused on the need for Irish companies to compete.
It stressed that innovation and market knowledge, increased investment in R&D, successful commercialisation of research and effective partnerships between industry and third level colleges will be critical in meeting this transformation challenge.
"The Glanbia Innovation Centre, with a team of highly qualified nutritionists, microbiologists, immunologists, food scientists and applications experts is a tangible example of the transformation of the Irish food industry," he said.
Glanbia group managing director, John Moloney, said innovation is at the heart of its growth strategy.
"Our innovation agenda is based on the continued development of health-based functional food ingredients and consumer foods with a nutritional emphasis - both dairy and non-dairy. The protection of intellectual property is also crucial to the success of this agenda.
"All our research is based on a close study of consumer lifestyle changes and the need for efficient nutrition and ensures that innovations are commercially relevant," he said.
Mr Moloney said the focus of the centre is on the European consumer foods and nutritional markets and complements Glanbia's existing US innovation centre in Idaho, which has special expertise in whey protein extraction technologies.
