Nestlé is strengthening its research and development (R&D) capabilities in Singapore with a new investment to accelerate innovation in sustainable food, packaging, and digital transformation. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the expansion will bolster the company’s ability to address global food security and environmental challenges while continuing to deliver nutritious and affordable products.
As part of the initiative, Nestlé will enhance resources at its Singapore R&D Centre, creating job opportunities across various roles, including chefs, engineers, and product developers. The focus will be on advancing key areas such as alternative proteins, including plant-based and hybrid plant/dairy products, as well as next-generation packaging solutions designed to reduce environmental impact.
Nestlé’s collaboration with the EDB and other government agencies extends to working with local enterprises, including start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to co-develop emerging technologies. These partnerships will contribute to the development of sustainable ingredients, products, and manufacturing techniques.
One notable example of such collaboration is Nestlé’s work with Singapore-based start-up KosmodeHealth, which resulted in the creation of high-protein, high-fibre noodles made from upcycled spent barley grains. This project earned the “Most Transformational Collaboration” award from the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce in 2023.
Guglielmo Bonora, Head of Nestlé R&D Singapore, highlighted the centre’s longstanding role in innovation: “For over 40 years, our R&D Centre in Singapore has been central to developing products and technologies that serve consumers across Southeast Asia and globally. Our continued collaboration with the EDB reflects our commitment to strengthening Singapore’s position as a global hub for innovation. By fostering a strong local business ecosystem and nurturing talent, we can continue to deliver science-driven solutions that cater to evolving consumer preferences and nutritional needs.”
Nestlé’s R&D Centre in Singapore, established in 1980, now employs more than 200 specialists, including those at the Nestlé Quality Assurance Centre (NQAC). The facility has been instrumental in developing products tailored to regional tastes, including Nestlé’s breakthrough sugar reduction technology, now used in MILO beverages across Southeast Asia.
Rajat Kumar Jain, Managing Director of Nestlé Singapore, emphasised the country’s strategic importance: “Singapore’s central location in Southeast Asia, combined with its rich culinary heritage and openness to food innovation, makes it the ideal base for Nestlé to create new products for Asia and the world. Our R&D Centre complements Nestlé’s long-standing presence in Singapore and enables us to develop, test, and launch market-leading products that drive sustainable growth both locally and globally.”
Melissa Guan, Acting Vice President & Head of Consumer at EDB, welcomed Nestlé’s continued investment: “We’ve seen Nestlé grow over the past four decades into one of Singapore’s largest R&D centres. Their latest investment in future-ready capabilities—spanning innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability—aligns well with Singapore’s Food Manufacturing Job Transformation Map. It also reinforces Singapore’s role as a regional hub where global brands can collaborate with the local ecosystem to drive the next wave of food innovation.”
Nestlé’s expanded R&D presence in Singapore underscores its commitment to shaping the future of food, driving sustainable solutions that meet consumer needs while advancing environmental responsibility across the food industry.
