Construction began today on Arla's new state-of-the-art innovation centre in Aarhus, which will become the dairy giant's global production development headquarters.
The 10,000 sqm centre – which will cost 270 million kroner and is expected to be completed by the autumn of 2016 – will be located at the Agro Food Park in Aarhus and will contain the most modern technology within food product development.
"Our new global innovation centre will become Arla's heart and soul. It will convert the many good ideas and input from consumers into new exciting products," Jais Valeur, the executive vice president at Arla Foods, said in a press release.
"With the growth plans we have in distant markets around the world, innovation has never been as important as it is now."
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Research agreement announced
The centre will become part of the Danish Food Cluster, an international collection of expertise and innovation within the agricultural and food product sector and the associated energy sector.
Additionally, Arla unveiled its plans to invest a further 62.5 million kroner over five years (2015-2020) into a new research agreement with the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University.
The research will investigate the ability of dairy products to strengthen immune systems, combat malnourishment and prevent illnesses such as type 2 diabetes.
