Purina has announced a new phase of development for its Portogruaro production facility in Italy and further investment into the dynamic European pet care market.

The announcement, which falls on the 40th anniversary of the factory, confirms Portogruaro’s continued strategic role within Purina’s European manufacturing network. The first investment is aimed at upgrading and modernizing the site to meet the increasing and evolving demand in the super-premium pet food segment, while the second focuses on enhancing the wastewater treatment plant.

Founded in 1986, the Portogruaro factory is today one of the most advanced sites within Purina’s European network and a centre of excellence for the production of food for cats and dogs. Over time, the site has progressively strengthened its strategic role thanks to distinctive expertise in dry pet food production, quality controls, operational excellence, innovation, environmental sustainability and the industrialization of new products.

Today, Portogruaro is not only a production site for some of Purina’s flagship premium brands including PURINA PRO PLAN and PURINA ONE, but also a competence hub that enables innovation and high quality standards, contributing to the evolution of Purina’s portfolio and supporting business growth across European markets. The Portogruaro factory is responsible for translating scientific research, continuous innovation and manufacturing excellence into high-quality products that help improve the wellbeing of pets.

As Purina looks to further enhance its manufacturing expertise and innovation capabilities, it is investing 55 million euros (50 million Swiss francs) in a dedicated transformation journey that will accompany the development of the factory through to 2029. In line with the growing demand for super-premium products and specialist nutrition, the project includes progressive interventions across the entire factory, while maintaining production continuity and further strengthening the site’s strategic role within the European manufacturing network.

Alongside production development, Purina continues to invest in the evolution of its industrial processes to make them increasingly sustainable and innovative.  The construction of a new Waste Water Treatment Plant, an internal facility for wastewater treatment that will allow the factory to directly manage an activity currently entrusted to external plants. Designed to support the site’s future growth, the new plant will help optimize wastewater management, reducing transport to external facilities and the related environmental impacts, while also delivering benefits in terms of operational efficiency.

The investments announced in Portogruaro are part of Purina’s broader industrial development strategy in Italy, which also includes the recent announcement of the new Purina factory in Mantova. The new site, dedicated to the production of wet pet food and integrated with a logistics hub supporting the Nestlé Group, will operate in synergy with the Portogruaro factory, which is increasingly specialized in dry pet food production. Two complementary production hubs that strengthen Purina’s industrial presence in the country and consolidate Italy’s increasingly central role within the European manufacturing network.

Fabio Degli Esposti, Managing Director of Purina Italy and Regional Director Southern Europe, said: "With Portogruaro and Mantova, Purina confirms a clear choice: to continue investing to support the growth of pet care in Europe. The new investments announced today upgrade a site that, for forty years, has contributed to the quality and innovation of Purina’s portfolio, strengthen our expertise in the super-premium segment and the strategic role of both Portogruaro and the new factory that will be built in Mantova within Purina’s European manufacturing network."

Filippo Cesari, Factory Manager of the Purina Portogruaro site, added: "For our factory, this anniversary represents both a significant milestone and the starting point of a new phase of development. Over the past forty years, Portogruaro has built distinctive expertise in dry pet food production, quality, innovation and operational excellence. The projects will improve the flexibility, efficiency and sustainability of our production processes. This journey is made possible by the daily contribution of the people working at the site, whose skills and passion are our true asset."

Luigi Toffolo, Mayor of Portogruaro, commented: "Purina’s investment is clear evidence of the growth that this important European-level company has achieved over the years. Reaching the 40-year milestone is certainly a significant accomplishment, one that takes place within the broader context of our industrial area, which once again demonstrates its strength and attractiveness. Seeing companies choose to invest in our territory is undoubtedly a very positive sign, not only for the strategic development of Portogruaro but also for the employment opportunities that such investments generate. This latter aspect is particularly important to us."