BRF opens new food research centre in Brazil

Brazilian food company BRF has opened a BRL50m ($25.79m) research centre in Jundiai, Sao Paulo, as part of its plan to double investments in research, development and innovation by 2015.

The BRF Innovation Center features modern laboratories, experimental kitchens and mini-plants for pilot production runs.

The 10,000m² complex is divided into four areas: breeding and research, application, sensorial analysis laboratories, and experimental kitchens.

The five experimental kitchens will be used for sensorial tests, training, demonstrations and, primarily, joint product development by BRF and its leading clients.

BRF operations and technology vice president Nilvo Mittanck said that the company no longer has to depend on production units for undertaking tests.

"We shall be able to simulate large-scale production, project costs and test the parameters of processes and quality of the new products."

"The Jundiai centre will be a reference inside and outside the company both in the creating of new businesses as well as the solution of problems," Mittanck added.

The complex houses state-of-the-art instruments for product, packaging and process research and will be staffed by 150 professionals including engineers, nutritionists, pharmacologists, chemists and veterinarians.

In addition, the centre has various sustainable features such as reuse of rainwater, tapping of solar power, as well as roof coverings with natural gardens in order to maintain cooler temperatures and lower energy consumption.

The project, which is aiming for LEED international certification, will become a benchmark for BRF’s future projects, the company said.

BRF’s former R&D centres of Sadia and Perdigão brands will now operate out of the Jundiai facility, which will allow the company to capture synergies between its research arm and other areas.

According to the company, Jundiai was chosen as the site for the new centre due to factors such as proximity to Sao Paulo, important highways and airports as well as key technological hubs, universities and major urban centres.

BRF, which owns the Perdigão, Sadia, Batavo and Elegê brands, is a leading exporter of poultry meats and a principal dairy processor in Brazil, with revenues of BRL28.5bn ($12.67bn).

It exports its products to more than 120 countries and its portfolio includes 3,000 products, including meat, milk, margarine, pasta, frozen entrees and frozen vegetables.

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Image: BRF’s new research centre will enable the company to simulate large-scale production. Courtesy of PRNewsFoto/BRF.