Kerry Group is to invest US$125m in its Rome, Georgia, US, facility to create a “new world-class” food manufacturing facility. This is the company’s largest ever capital expenditure investment and when complete, the 360,000 square-feet facility will be one of the most modern and efficient facilities of its kind with the highest standards of food safety, according to the taste and nutrition company. The facility will produce integrated taste and nutrition solutions to help customers meet growing consumer demand in the poultry, seafood and alternative protein markets.

The facility will use 100 percent renewable electricity and will have several other sustainable initiatives including zero waste to landfill, bulk receiving and energy-efficient equipment.

Construction will begin immediately and is expected to be completed by early next year which will more than double the production capacity of the existing site within the same footprint. This will significantly increase Kerry’s capacity in its largest market to meet the growing demand for holistic food solutions.

“North America is our largest market. This new facility will be one of the most advanced and modern food manufacturing facilities in the world which will support our customers as they produce tasty and nutritious food products which will be consumed all across the US and Canada,” says Gerry Behan, CEO of Kerry Taste & Nutrition, North America.

“The consumer-led food revolution and the world’s environmental challenges are driving accelerated change and reshaping the entire food industry. World-class facilities, such as this one in Georgia, combined with our technology portfolio and our fantastic people allows us to co-create with our customers to produce tasty and nutritious food products that meet changing consumer demand,” he adds.