Abbott establishes new pediatric nutrition manufacturing facility in Singapore

US-based healthcare company Abbott has opened a new nutrition product manufacturing facility in Singapore to meet increasing regional demand for its pediatric nutrition products, including Similac.

The facility will serve up to one million Asian infants and children each year, the company said. This represents the company’s growing commitment to the region, its single largest investment in Asia and its largest nutrition investment at $300 million, added Abbott.

Abbott’s pediatric products sold in Asia, including infant formula, follow-on formula and growing-up milk, are now manufactured in this facility. According to Abbott, the Singapore location allows for faster shipments to retail and healthcare establishments across countries in the region, including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, as well as the Middle East. The plant employs approximately 300 people, 50 of whom are solely devoted to quality assurance.

Additionally, Abbott has finalized an agreement with Singapore to open a new Asia-Pacific R&D Center for Nutrition Science at the Biopolis, a high-tech biomedical research park, where its scientists will focus on clinical trials and development of nutrition products tailored to Asian dietary needs. Abbott scientists at the center will lead research and clinical trials in areas such as food and sensory science, clinical nutrition science, novel ingredient evaluation and cognition science.

Miles White, chairman and CEO of Abbott, said: These new facilities in Singapore will allow us to get even closer to our customers in both proximity and in understanding the unique dietary needs and preferences of Asian consumers.