Global snacks company Mondelez International will invest $6 million in its Reading Science Centre in the UK towards the development of new chocolate, candy and biscuit products to be sold in more than 150 different countries.

Currently, the Mondelez Reading Science Centre hosts more than 290 scientists, food technologists, chemists, and other specialists. The new investment from the snacking giant will create 50 highly skilled food science and engineering roles in the coming five years.

Mondelez International says that the investment is in line with its strategy to build a global network of state-of-the-art technical hubs positioned strategically across the world. The technical centers will support the growth-oriented innovation agenda of the snacking company by enhancing speed, effectiveness, and efficiency, while helping it to address changing consumer requirements more quickly.

The new investment in the Mondelez Reading Science Centre follows a previously announced $65 million investment across eleven technical centers in different parts of the world.

Commenting on the investment in the Mondelez Reading Science Centre, Rob Hargrove – Executive Vice President, Research, Development and Quality, said: “Our mission at Mondelēz International is simple – to offer consumers the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way. And our global Technical Centre network is crucial to support this.

“Reading is our largest global R&D centre dedicated to research work and, as such, it’s a central hub for food testing and analysis for all our product categories. This new investment will enable us to further accelerate our understanding of the science behind our products.”

The Reading Science Centre is one of the 11 technical centers of Mondelez International in important locations that facilitate greater effectiveness, enhanced efficiency and fast-tracked project delivery. The other locations are Curitiba in Brazil, East Hanover in New Jersey, Wroclaw in Poland, Suzhou in China, Thane in India, Mexico City in Mexico, Jurong in Singapore, Saclay in France, Munich in Germany, and Bournville in the UK.

Louise Stigant – UK Managing Director at Mondelez International, commenting on the investment in the Mondelez Reading Science Centre, said: “Over the last seven years, we’ve invested over $25 million into our research centres in Reading and Birmingham and they play a vital role in developing products for consumers, not just in the UK, but across the world. This extra investment will allow for the creation of 50 highly skilled jobs. It will also help accelerate our growth strategy, offering innovative chocolate, biscuit and candy products that meet the changing needs of consumers, while maintaining a competitive edge in the markets of tomorrow.”

  Louise Stigant, Mondelez International, Reading, Rob Hargrove, United Kingdom