Global snack food producer Mondelēz International is investing in its Reading Science Centre in the UK to support the development of new chocolate, biscuit and candy products.

The $6m investment is reported to be part of the company’s strategy to invest in its worldwide technical centre network to accelerate growth and innovation.

Mondelēz International Research, Development and Quality executive vice-president Rob Hargrove said: “Our mission at Mondelēz International is simple, to offer consumers the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way. And our global Technical Centre network is crucial to support this.

“Reading is our largest global R&D centre dedicated to research work and, as such, it’s a central hub for food testing and analysis for all our product categories. This new investment will enable us to further accelerate our understanding of the science behind our products.”

Currently, the Reading Science Centre is home to more than 290 scientists, chemists, food technologists. The new investment will see the addition of 50 food science and engineering jobs over the next five years.

Mondelēz’s technical centres have been established to support the company’s growth-oriented innovation agenda, as well as address evolving consumer needs more quickly.

The investment in the Reading technical centre comes on top of the company’s previously announced global investment of $65m in its eleven technical centres around the world.

Mondelēz International UK managing director Louise Stigant said: “Over the last seven years, we’ve invested over $25 million into our research centres in Reading and Birmingham and they play a vital role in developing products for consumers, not just in the UK, but across the world.

“This extra investment will allow for the creation of 50 highly skilled jobs. It will also help accelerate our growth strategy, offering innovative chocolate, biscuit and candy products that meet the changing needs of consumers, while maintaining a competitive edge in the markets of tomorrow.”

Currently, Mondelēz operates eleven technical centres at various locations worldwide, including Brazil, China, India, Mexico, US, Poland, Singapore, UK, France and Germany.

Last December, Mondelēz International expanded its Global Technical Center located in Wroclaw, Poland with $5m investment.