Nestlé has inaugurated a new plant-based meal solutions manufacturing facility in Malaysia, following an investment of MYR 150 million ($36.3 million approx.).

The facility, which marks the first in ASEAN and second in Asia, will cater to the rising local demand for plant-based food, as well as exports. It joins the company’s plant-based food facility in Tianjin, China.

Located in Selangor, the new factory will produce plant-based burgers, schnitzels, chargrilled pieces and mince under the new Harvest Gourmet brand. The facility has the capacity to produce 8,000 tonnes of halal certified plant-based food per year and will supply both food service and retail.

According to Nestlé, Harvest Gourmet has already inked deals to supply global and regional restaurant chains including Element Fresh in China, KyoChon in Malaysia and Carl’s Jr in Singapore.

The plant has already commenced production of its new Harvest Gourmet products for the out-of-home markets and is getting ready to launch its consumer range, starting with Tmall and Hema stores in China.

“We are confident that with this new facility we will be able to capture the exciting growth opportunity for plant-based products in this region, which is a very important growth priority for the Nestlé Group worldwide,” said Chris Johnson, Nestlé CEO for Asia, Oceania and Africa.

Juan Aranols, CEO of Nestlé Malaysia, said: “In the same way as it is happening in other parts of the world, Malaysians are becoming interested in exploring alternatives to meat consumption, either because of health reasons or for environmental considerations.

“For them, we have developed an exciting range of new products that provide an excellent nutritional alternative supporting healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.”

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