PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., announced the opening of a new food and beverage innovation center in Shanghai. The state-of-the-art, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) facility, which is PepsiCo's largest research and development (R&D) center outside of North America, will serve as a hub of new product, packaging and equipment innovation for PepsiCo's businesses throughout Asia.

The new facility is equipped with an advanced culinary center and test kitchens focused on developing and tailoring PepsiCo food and beverage brands for distinct, locally relevant taste preferences. For example, PepsiCo in recent years has launched sour plum- and peach-flavored carbonated soft drinks under its Mirinda brand, Tropicana Pulp Sacs and Tropicana CoCo Quench, which are all tailored to Asian consumers.

In addition, the facility will house a pilot manufacturing plant that will allow researchers to test new product ideas quickly and support efforts to accelerate the pace of PepsiCo's innovation in China and other growing Asian markets significantly, the company says.

The new Shanghai facility also will work collaboratively with other PepsiCo R&D locations around the world to share insights and best practices.

"Innovation has always fueled PepsiCo's growth engine and enabled us to build a portfolio of great-tasting, convenient food and beverage brands that are loved by consumers around the globe," said Saad Abdul-Latif, chief executive officer of PepsiCo Asia, Middle East & Africa, in a statement. "The Shanghai facility is a game-changer for our business that we expect will fast forward our innovation throughout the entire region."

Mehmood Khan, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of PepsiCo, added: "PepsiCo continues to build global research and development capabilities that are differentiating our brands in the marketplace and driving attractive new growth opportunities. This center will play an important role in our global R&D network by bringing cutting edge technology and innovation to our businesses in China and throughout Asia Pacific and partnering with other PepsiCo locations to achieve new breakthroughs in other parts of the world."