BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Nestle Health Science on Dec. 3 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Nestle Product Technology Center in Bridgewater, putting a wrap on the completion of a three-year, $70 million investment to establish a global research and development hub. The Bridgewater facility is Nestle’s lead product technology center for its global Nestle Health Science network.

“The opening of the Nestle Product Technology Center comes at an exciting time, when the potential for science-based nutritional solutions is accelerating,” said Thomas Hauser, senior vice-president, head of global product and technology development for Nestle. “With this advanced center leading the way, we’re able to leverage Nestle’s global R.&D. efforts here in New Jersey to rapidly translate science into innovation for consumers, patients and health care professionals. We’re also advantaged by the fact that the facility is co-located with the U.S. headquarters of Nestle Health Science, allowing for deep integration between the R.&D. and commercial sides of the business in our largest market.”

Nestle said the Bridgewater facility has advanced capabilities across R.&D., ranging from ideation and rapid prototyping to sensory science, production and commercialization. The center also will play an instrumental role in Nestle’s efforts to reduce packaging and produce lighter-weight products, the company said.

“We approach sustainability as the right way to do business,” said Gregory Behar, chief executive officer of Nestle Health Science. “Our science-driven nutrition portfolio continues to evolve toward cleaner recipes based on more sustainably sourced ingredients, while improving our environmental footprint including packaging.”

The center became fully operational in August with the completion of a pilot plant. Nestle said the center already has worked to renovate Boost Kid Essentials nutrition shakes to reduce sugar, remove artificial colors and simplify ingredients, and also played a key role in the launch of Compleat Organic Blends, a line of nutritionally complete tube-feeding formulas.