Heineken is planning to spend €45m ($47.82m) to establish a global research-and-development centre in the Netherlands.
Called Dr. H.P. Heineken Centre, the site, to be based in Zoeterwoude in the west of the Netherlands, will focus on “improving existing products and processes” and developing new SKUs.
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The centre will work on “innovation” for brands such as Heineken, Desperados and Amstel, the brewing giant said.
Set to open in mid-2025, the Dr. H.P. Heineken Centre will cover an area of 8,800m² and employ staff from 12 countries.
Heineken said it will “play a leading role” in the company’s global R&D network, which features hubs in Mexico, South Africa, and South East Asia.
The centre will feature offices, laboratories, a model service centre, and departments for sensory research, as well as packaging development.
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By GlobalDataHeineken CEO Dolf van den Brink said: “Since Heineken’s founding, innovation and technology have been the foundation of our success, ranging from our A-yeast, which has been providing the unique taste of Heineken since the 19th century, to the alcohol-free beer revolution led by Heineken 0.0.
“As the beating heart within our global R&D network, this centre opens new possibilities to optimise flavours and processes and to bring innovative products to market.”
Heineken already has a brewery in Zoeterwoude, which the company says is the “largest brewery in Europe”.
Products made in Zoeterwoude include the brewer’s Heineken 0.0 non-alcoholic beer and the Draught Keg.
Heineken 0.0 is one of the most widely available non-alcoholic beer brands in the world. The 0.05% abv beer was first launched in 2017 in the Netherlands and Germany and has since spread to more than 110 markets. Heineken also markets other non-alcoholic alternatives, including Sol Zero.
Speaking to analysts last month, the brewer reaffirmed its belief in the potential of non-alcoholic beer despite its flagship product seeing sales sequentially slow in the third quarter.
In the three months to the end of September, volume sales of Heineken 0.0. rose 3.4%, down from the 14% increase the Dutch brewer reported for the first half of the year.
Last wee, Heineken acquired a minority stake in UK-based functional drinks brand G Spot.
Founded by American actor Gillian Anderson, G Spot produces low-calorie, sugar-free drinks with adaptogens and nootropics.
The range includes four SKUs: Arouse, Lift, Protect, and Soothe, all made with natural ingredients such as butterfly pea flower, theanine, and reishi mushroom.
