VEVEY, SWITZERLAND — Nestle S.A. has opened a new extension to its research and development center in Singapore that the company said “will allow greater focus” on Nestle’s fastest-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Nestle said it invested 4 million Swiss francs ($4.1 million).

The center, which employs about 100 experts from 17 countries in such areas as mechanical engineering, analytical chemistry, microbiology and sensory science, will take the global lead for Nestle’s innovations in Nescafé coffee mixes and Milo powdered beverages, the company said.

“With this investment, our research and development center in Singapore becomes our leading global R.&D. center for Nescafé coffee mixes and Milo,” said Johannes Baensch, Nestle’s global head of R.&D. “One of R.&D. Singapore’s main objectives is to ensure that nutrition and health are integral considerations in new product development.

“This will include new formulations and formats, as well as reducing sugar, salt and fat in our products, without compromising taste. The products developed here are tailored to meet local tastes, both in this region and in other parts of the world where they are sold.”

Nestle established its R.&D. center in Singapore in 1980. It was the company’s first R&D center in Asia. Since that time, Nestle said the center has gained “deep expertise” in South and Southeast Asian cuisine and cooking techniques through extensive consumer research over the past 30 years.

Today, it is a global and regional training center for Nestle’s food scientists and engineers.

In addition, the center is developing its existing expertise in “biotransformation,” which is the use of natural processes such as fermentation to transform raw materials into ingredients that have nutritional or functional benefits for consumers.

Nestle’s range of products in Singapore include Nescafé, Milo, Maggi, Nespray, Nestlé Omega Plus, Yang Shengle, Kit Kat, Koko Krunch, Honey Stars, Purina, Friskies, and dozens of other brands.