Global FMCG firm Unilever has reportedly initiated construction works for expanding its ice cream manufacturing site in China.

The company is said to invest $112m for expanding its ice cream manufacturing facility in Taicang, Jiangsu Province.

With this investment, Unilever intends to further strengthen its position in the consumer foods segment.

Unilever North Asia executive vice-president Rohit Jawa said: “Unilever has always been optimistic about China’s economy, and will continue to increase investment here, especially in the Yangtze River Delta.

“We will build the new Taicang manufacturing site into the world’s first ice cream factory integrating automation, intelligence and agility.”

Covering an area of 6,000m², the new facility will be feature factory lines, warehouses, offices and an annexe building.

once operational in 2022, the new facility will have the capacity to produce approximately 150,000t of ice cream annually.