Amway invests in China based botanical research center

By Michelle Yeomans

- Last updated on GMT

Amway invests in China based botanical research center
Amway has invested $13 million in a botanical research center in Wuxi, China where its researchers will study traditional Chinese medicine plants for health and beauty products to come.  

According to George Calvert, Amway's chief officer of global R&D and supply chain, the brand's Nutrilite brand of vitamins and dietary supplements were first formulated after the founder, Carl Rehnborg, observed how the use of plants and botanicals in China promoted optimal health and natural balance.

The center which has been five years in the making, reportedly includes an advanced laboratory, large greenhouse and will be used for research on soil nutrients, plant physiology, extract quality standards and processes.

Built on 34-hectares (84-acres) of farmland, Amway reps say that it took the company three years to decide on a location that would 'ensure optimal growing conditions' to match the standards of its certified organic farms in Brazil, Mexico and the United States. 

"Following the selection of the Wuxi location, the site was optimized over a period of more than two years and facilities were built to support the examination and research of crops harvested from the land," ​say reps.

They added that the new facility is part of the company's efforts to further understand Chinese botanicals – using advanced technology and scientific practices to integrate their findings into Amway's products.

Asia investment

Just last month, Amway announced it had poured $25 million into a Binh Duong based facility that will focus on beauty from within brand, Nutrilite as part of its 'long-term commitment to Vietnam.'

Nutrilite supplements are made from whole plant concentrates and contain a wide array of phytonutrients which Amway claims is the only global vitamin and mineral brand to grow, harvest and process plants on its own certified organic farms.

The Binh Duong plant is one of six new facilities Amway plans to open in 2015 - a strategy the company has allocated funds of $332 million for, as part of a global manufacturing expansion.

Amway attributes the success of products like Truvivity by Nutrilite and its continued global roll-out of its Artistry Youth Xtend and Artistry Ideal Radiance skin care lines as being instrumental in boosting revenues in recent years.

With much of the gains concentrated in the Asia Pacific region, and more specifically China, the company announced this investment initiative in 2014 in an effort to see 'significant development and expansion' across the region.

Related topics Business & Financial East Asia China

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