15 April 2008 – The construction of Herbignac Cheese Ingredients (HCI)'s new mozzarella factory is nearing completion, French media report.
Dairy companies Eurial Poitouraine, Ingredia, Sodiaal and Bonilait Protéines all invested in the project, with additional funds provided by the French government, various local authorities and the EU.
The site is now in the process of being equipped and the first trials have begun in preparation for production starting this summer. Recruitment for the first 30 positions at the factory has also begun. Some 100 additional jobs should be created by 2012.
The plant will have an annual processing capacity of 270 million litres of milk and will manufacture 30,000 tonnes of mozzarella cheese a year.
The Herbignac factory will provide an outlet for milk from one thousand dairy farmers throughout Western France.